State Champs: Deerfield Academic, Esports Teams Recognized By Village

DEERFIELD, IL — Whether it's academics or gaming, Deerfield High School has two of the best programs in the state. Both the Eastern Illinois University Academic Challenge team and IHSA Esports, who won state titles during last year's academic school year, were recognized Monday night at the Deerfield Village Board meeting.

Before being recognized separately, Mayor Dan Shapiro asked students in attendance representing the teams to lead the meeting by citing the Pledge of Allegiance.

"We are very proud of you guys. These are great accomplishments," Shapiro said before giving each team a sign stating the accomplishment. The signs will be on display at the four entrances to the village.

According to the Deerfield High School website, the EIU Academic challenge team competes against high schools at the regional, sectional and state levels, with more than 8,000 students in Illinois participating. The competitions test students in seven areas related to engineering. Multiple choice tests are given in math, chemistry, physics, biology, English, computers, and engineering graphics.

The team is coached and sponsored by Marty Esgar, who was in attendance with several students, and praised their accomplishments not just as a team, but as individual winners.

During the six-month season, which runs from November through April, team members must log in a minimum of 90 minutes of study per week. Members of the team are primarily the most talented seniors and juniors who have taken A.P. classes in the areas of testing.

The esports team at Deerfield, which was formed last year, won a state championship tournament en route to capturing a national championship last April. The team, which specializes in playing the game, "Overwatch," consisted of seven since graduated seniors.

The team is coached by Derrick Tiveron, a math and computer science teacher at DHS.

"I'm really proud of this team. [With it being the first year of the program], they really set the bar high for all the other players and we're looking forward to a lot of success for the esports program," Tiveron said. "Hopefully, you'll see us again."

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