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    As Esports Take Off, High School Leagues Get In The Game

    Today, more than 170 colleges and universities offer esports. And there's money on the table — more than $16 million in college scholarships. Naturally, high schools have followed suit.
    by Aubri Juhasz Jan 24, 2020 6 minutes
    Scooter Norton, captain of the Washington-Liberty High School's Rocket League team, says before the team was playing to improve, but now they have a goal in mind.

    Nowadays, if you're a teenager who's good at video games there's a lot more to be had than just a pot of virtual gold.

    There's college scholarships, tournament money and high salary jobs.

    Today, more than 170 colleges and universities participate. And there's money on the table — more than $16 million in college scholarships. Naturally, high schools have followed suit.

    This year, 17 states and the District of Columbia are offering formal esports teams.

    Kids perfect their skills alongside teammates with the help of a high school coach. They run drills, develop strategy, review game footage and compete against other teams across their state.

    But most high schools don't house their esports teams under athletics. In Virginia, the league is considered an academic activity.

    Scooter Norton is a senior and captain of Washington-Liberty's Rocket League Team. He and his teammates Calvin Forinash and Matthew Goodwin have known one another since they were in kindergarten and have been playing Rocket League together

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