Using Esports to Improve Inclusion in Athletics Tweet

Cooper Henckel

Producer

chenckel@wjfw.com





WAUSAU - Activities like chess and even debate can earn high school students varsity letters. Many colleges and universities have also introduced non-traditional sports. Northcentral Technical College Wausau Campus is one of them.







NTC hosted the 31st Badger State Games Esports event. The State Games first introduced esports three years ago but BSG Director Nick Ockwig said his vision didn't come to life until this year. He reached out to NTC's Head of Esports, Jon DeGroot late last year. The two of them got work and built this year's event.



DeGroot said that competitive gaming opens doors for students to the world of athletics. He added that e-athletes benefit from the activity in the same way as their traditional peers - improved confidence, strengthened self-esteem, and some harder lessons in humility. DeGroot holds his athletes to standard guidelines: miss class, you're missing practice; fail a class, you lose your spot.



Both Ockwig and DeGroot agree - the accessibility of esports makes it an incredible addition to the Badger State Games. Whether you're four or 75, able-bodied or struggling to move, there's a way to play along.

"Anybody and everybody can compete in the BSG at any athletic ability. Come and have a good time. Go away feeling good about yourself and come back next year," said Ockwig.



DeGroot said that makes esports unique:



"The benefit of esports is really anyone can compete or participate in esports," said DeGroot. "We're able to bring in people who haven't had that opportunity and give them that opportunity in esports."



Text Size: + Increase | Decrease - Tweet | |