The Florida High School Athletic Association may sanction competitive video gaming (esports) as an official sport due to growing interest from member schools.
The FHSAA Board of Directors held a discussion on esports at its meeting in Gainesville on Monday, focusing on the percentage of Florida schools interested in offering programs if the game is approved as an official sport.
The organization distributed a questionnaire and received responses from 425 schools, or 58% of affiliated schools and high schools.
A document included in the board's agenda states: “Two questions pertained to current participation and interest, and several other questions were asked to guide future research and decision-making as appropriate.” It is stated that.
Overall, 26.4% of responding schools reported sponsoring an esports team or club. Of this total number, 24.9% of public schools had teams or clubs, while 25.2% of private schools and 39.1% of charter schools said they had such programs.
The FHSAA requires that at least 20 percent of schools offering sports in at least two of the four “sections” or regions within a state be subject to sanctions.
Even among member schools that have not reported implementing programs, interest in offering esports is high.
More than half (54.6%) of schools surveyed said they would be interested in offering esports to their students if the FHSAA approved the games. Nearly 50% of public schools surveyed expressed interest, more than 56% of private schools and 82% of charter schools.
Of the four FHSAA regional sections in the state, schools in Section 4, which includes South Florida, had the highest interest at 69%.
FHSAA board member Trevor Berryhill, who is also director of competitions at Masters Academy, a private school in Oviedo, was among those who expressed support for sanctions against esports.
“Last year, we had a student who won a scholarship to Florida State University in esports. He noted that student-athletes can earn income from business contracts such as endorsement deals.
“So this is just another opportunity for kids to be involved in something,” Berryhill added.
According to its website, the FSU Esports program is a student-run organization that “provides the foundation for the school's numerous competitive gaming teams.”
Esports programs are also gaining recognition by national sanctioning bodies.
According to FHSAA documents, there are 21 states that are members of the National Federation of State High School Associations and allow esports in schools. Southeastern states that have approved to participate in the program include Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Gulf County Schools Superintendent David Norton also supported the idea of sanctioning esports, calling the proposal a “win-win” for the FHSAA and hoping the board “moves forward on this sooner rather than later.” He said he was looking forward to it.
“This will be a way to reach out to us and bring in more student-athletes,” Norton, who also serves on the board, said during Monday's meeting.
FHSAA officials did not say during Monday's discussion when a potential decision on esports sanctions would be finalized, but said the FHSAA organization is in the early stages of the process. The next step is to request a formal petition from member schools expressing their interest in adding an esports program.
