Calvert Hall esports groups rating large, attaining gaming glory

In a red-lit room at Calvert Hall College High School, 5 college students sat facet by facet in late fall, eyes glued to their displays, fingers flying throughout keyboards and mice. They have been competing in esports – organized online game competitions. Their coach, English instructor Paul McMullen, watched quietly because the group ready to face Gainesville High School in Overwatch 2, a team-based sport set in a futuristic world the place gamers choose “heroes” with distinctive talents. 

Silence broke as callouts marked the primary volleys. The objective-based matches required technique, coordination and exact teamwork. Each participant carried out a particular function. 

It was a fast-paced ballet of hand-eye coordination: keys clicking with the left hand, mouse actions with the correct, punctuated by instructions: “Let’s go!”, “Good stuff!”, “You got this!” 

In solely its second yr of competitors, the esports program at Calvert Hall had quickly turn into one of many faculty’s hottest golf equipment.  

Marc Parisi, director of pupil actions, acknowledged the explosive progress of aggressive gaming in excessive faculties and faculties nationwide and noticed a chance for Calvert Hall. Since 2018, greater than 8,600 excessive faculties have launched applications with greater than 200,000 college students taking part within the United States. More than 300 faculties and universities additionally assist esports applications, with greater than half providing scholarships. 

Parisi introduced the thought to high school management in 2023, rapidly gaining administrative assist. The faculty transformed a pc lab adjoining to its on-campus TV studio right into a aggressive gaming area, funded partially by the scholar journal drive. Steve Martin, a 1983 alum and retired president of Firaxis Games, made a beneficiant donation for a 1,300-square-foot enlargement accomplished in 2024. The facility options 23 PC stations, 4 consoles, seven 65-inch TVs and an 85-inch interactive display for instruction. 

Nearly 60 college students now take part, competing in seven video games: Fortnite: Zone Wars, Madden NFL ’26, Overwatch 2, Mario Kart 8, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Valorant. McMullen oversees schedules, logistics and normal teaching, with specialised coaches mentoring college students in particular video games. 

Calvert Hall competes within the PlayVS league, a significant governing physique for highschool e­sports activities. Most opponents come from neighboring Mid-Atlantic states, as aggressive gaming remains to be rising throughout Maryland. PlayVS operates two eight-week seasons per sport, adopted by three-week playoffs. In 2024-25, Calvert Hall’s seven groups certified for the playoffs in each seasons. The Rocket League group went undefeated to win the league championship. 

During visits by the Catholic Review, the Overwatch 2 group defeated Gainesville High 3-0 and completed the autumn season undefeated with a 12-0 document. The five-man Mario Kart 8 group, after two runner-up finishes in prior periods, accomplished an ideal 12-0 season, successful the championship over Nazareth Area High School of Pennsylvania. Super Smash Bros additionally went undefeated, defeating Bloomfield High School of New Jersey. 

Freshman Thomas Johnston, competing in Madden NFL ’26, fell quick in a 24-10 loss to Jordan Shelton-Smith of University High School of Science and Engineering in Connecticut. McMullen and Madden coach Vasilios Nikolaou, class of 2014, congratulated Johnston for his runner-up end within the sport’s first season at Calvert Hall. 

With these achievements, the Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and Madden NFL ’26 groups certified for invites to the PlayVS Cup, a nationwide event on the finish of the varsity yr. 

For many, gaming is leisure. At Calvert Hall, it’s additionally a catalyst for tutorial {and professional} improvement.  

“Competitive gaming demands sharp mental agility,” McMullen mentioned. “Players must process large amounts of information in real-time, make quick and decisive choices and adapt strategies as situations change – all qualities that mirror the fast-paced problem-solving required in today’s classrooms and workplaces.”  

McMullen acknowledged that some facets of the teen-rated video games can embrace adversarial components, however emphasised that the group focuses on the significance of life classes in sportsmanship, respect, ethics and ethical consciousness. 

Some college students stability esports with conventional sports activities. Johnston, who wished to play basketball, mentioned he loves the esports setting on the faculty. “In the spring, we’re going to get better and win the championship,” he predicted. 

Gavin Green, ’27, captain of the Overwatch 2 group, mentioned he motivated his teammates to play their finest and produce out their full potential. “Esports isn’t about a game,” he mentioned. “It’s a community where we learn from each other.”  

By the Numbers

Program age: 2 years 

Student participation: Nearly 60 college students 

Meeting schedule: Tuesdays and Wednesdays after faculty 

Facility: 1,300-square-foot area with 23 PC stations, 4 consoles (three Switches, one PlayStation), seven 65″ TVs, and one 85″ interactive TV for technique periods 

Funding: Initial area financed by pupil journal drive; a present from Steve Martin, ’83, funded enlargement 

Accomplishments: In 2024-25, all seven Calvert Hall groups certified for playoffs; Rocket League went undefeated to win the league championship 

Richard Zmuda contributed to this story.  

Email Kevin J. Parks at kparks@CatholicReview.org

Editor’s Note: This story is a part of the Catholic Review’s Catholic School’s Week (Jan. 25-31) protection. Check again at catholicreview.org/class/faculties for continued protection of the occasion.

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