Ethan Hay has been playing video games since he was in elementary school.
“I'd like to say, since I was probably 8 years old, it started with the XBOX 360…and then I moved on to some Wii games,” Hay said.
Now, as a 17-year-old junior at Vista Peak Preparatory School (VPP) in Aurora, his hobby has become serious competition.
“I first started playing esports at school my freshman year,” Hay told CBS Colorado's Kelly Worthman.
In 2022, esports was sanctioned by the Colorado High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) and quickly grew in popularity. As of this year, more than 60 schools have at least one esports team.
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Hay doesn't just play the game (Madden NFL), he beats opponents in Colorado and New Mexico.
“I won Colorado and then the mountain state championship,” he said.
Hay is now a three-time regional champion and has won some impressive trophies for his school. What's his goal now? A national esports title could earn him thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
“I think I've had some interest from universities,” he says. “That could make a big difference.”
More than just financial gain, playing esports gives Hay a boost in self-esteem.
“It gives me a sense of accomplishment,” he says.
And he brings that confidence from the gridiron of the game to the real grass.
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“I started playing tackle soccer.” [for VPP] “That was the case last year,” Hay said.
There are some obvious differences between how virtual soccer and real soccer are played, but both make Hay an athlete.
“I think there's a huge stigma against video games,” he says. “People see it as a geeky thing…I don't think so.”
“Did you ever think you'd be able to play video games at school or in school?” Worthman asked.
“Absolutely not,” Hay replied.
Nor was Hay's mother.
“I was very against video games at first,” Melissa Hay said.
But seeing her son's success and smiling face has changed her perspective, she said.
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“I'm really proud of my son and the growth he's had through esports,” she said. “If we can bring esports to the forefront and show people that this isn't just sitting at home and being lazy and playing games, this can be a career, this can be a scholarship.”
Although Hay wasn't able to secure a scholarship this time around, he plans to achieve big things as a senior.
“There was a national championship game. [Tuesday]“Unfortunately we lost,” Hay said. “But I was very happy just to be there again.”
“What's your game plan for next year?” Worthman asked.
“I'm sure I'll win,” he replied.
