Huffman High School embarks on quest for esports championship

The sounds of clicking keyboards and outbursts of laughter spilled into the halls of Huffman High School on Wednesday as Councilor Clinton Woods walked into the brand new esports room.

In a few days, Huffman’s new ten-person esports team will begin their quest to capture the coveted Alabama High School Athletic Association’s gaming state championship. Each season includes a week-long preseason, an eight-week regular season, and playoffs.

On Wednesday, Councilor Clinton Woods sat in on one of Huffman’s esports practices once the ceremonial ribbon had been cut, signaling the beginning of a new chapter for Birmingham City School students — this is the first team its kind in the school system.

“We want to make sure our students have the opportunity to compete at every sport and create reasons for kids to be excited about coming to school,” Woods said. “We think this will give them an opportunity to not only excel at this new sport, but also develop skills that will help them excel in the classroom. We’re very appreciative for the administration at Huffman High School for making this a reality for our students.”

Last year, two million people tuned in to watch the world championship of Fortnite — the popular online battle royale game — that was held in New York City’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. There was a $30 million prize pool, with the winner, sixteen-year-old Kyle Giersdorf, taking home the $3 million grand prize.

Fortnite is one of two games that Huffman’s esports team will be competing in; the other is League of Legends, a popular online battle arena game.

Council President William Parker has been looking to bring similar esports championship events to Legion Field. “It’s a billion-dollar industry,” Parker said. “If you look at how many people tuned in and attended the Fortnite World Cup, it’s abundantly clear there is a huge market for these types of events. You have games like Madden NFL 2020 and Call of Duty that have massive followings. It’s my goal to bring something like this to Birmingham.”

In 2019 alone global esports revenues have risen 27 percent from last year according to a Reuters report. By 2022, revenues could exceed $2 billion annually.

Huffman High School Principal John Lyons Jr. believes the new esports program will help raise student’s interest in coding and other computer programing opportunities that are becoming more abundant in the modern workforce.

“It gives the student to chance to look at problem solving at a higher level,” Lyons said, as he leaned back in his chair. “Students will be able to work through problems and find solutions as a team. They’re not just playing video games, they’re actually learning how to solve problems…People look at this and say, ‘how is this part of athletics?’ They’re actually using their minds. Athletes have to use their minds. And just like any other sport, it’s helping to prepare them for life after high school.”

To find out more about the AHSAA esports program and tournament schedules, CLICK HERE