Illinois High School League of Legends Tournaments?

Tormey·Dec 15, 2015·7 votes·1,880 views

I am a teacher at Oswego High School in Oswego Illinois. I am currently helping students create a high school e-sports program and I am hoping to get some help from the community. I have already emailed Riot with no response cough cough and I am looking for a few things

People (preferred other High Schools) for my kids to play. We have one small local tournament but I want to find multiple schools to play/scrim
Some guidance and seeing if there is any SWAG that Riot gives out to new programs. Whether that is mouse pads, posters, anything to help league be more seen in a school. The more visible the club/team is, the easier it will be to give it traction. I am not getting paid for this and I am doing my best to establish a legitimate program at the school. My biggest problem is I do not have the resources to independently fund it. The district is only giving us transportation to the one tournament.
Ideas for practice. I know full 5v5s are best but I have such a huge span of skill levels it may not always be the best.

Thanks for reading! You can either respond here or take a look through my contact info below!

Twitter: @ohs_lol Email: [email protected]

9 Comments

UNSCDec 15, 20153 votes

Glad to see more schools and teachers hop onto this idea! I attempted to start a club with some friends and teacher sponsors, yet we were shot down due to the game being "graphic" (yet its a highschool lol). What are your students currently using to play and have you contacted other schools to hear there opinion on the idea? Also, to combat the skill gaps, I'd suggest making teams limited by elo. In Kansas I couldn't even get past the club idea XD

TormeyDec 18, 20152 votes

[{quoted}](name=King Krug,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=dXyrZxsA,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2015-12-15T06:15:52.973+0000)

Glad to see more schools and teachers hop onto this idea! I attempted to start a club with some friends and teacher sponsors, yet we were shot down due to the game being "graphic" (yet its a highschool lol). What are your students currently using to play and have you contacted other schools to hear there opinion on the idea? Also, to combat the skill gaps, I'd suggest making teams limited by elo. In Kansas I couldn't even get past the club idea XD

It is taking a lot to get it going. A lot of reaching out to other schools and gaming lounges in the area.

OlovDec 18, 20153 votes

i love what youre doing. im a sophomore and i wish we had something like this.

SoundChaosDebugDec 15, 20151 votes

zzzzzz these kids need an education not a way to play games on your time, ding fries are done!

TormeyDec 15, 20154 votes

{quoted}

zzzzzz these kids need an education not a way to play games on your time, ding fries are done!

Not really. Robert Morris College (An esteemed college in Chicago) actually has a team and students can earn a scholarship to play for the school. Look it up! And most of my students are in AP courses but I am glad you are worried about their futures :) Don't worry, they have eligibility requirements even more strenuous than the athletes!

BixitsDec 16, 20153 votes

I wish my high school in Illinois did this. Heck, I wish my college did too lol. Perhaps you guys could do fundraisers? A lot of our clubs in high school were funded by parents and fundraisers. Is there a local game store or other business that might be willing to sponsor you?

nvrdoneDec 16, 20151 votes

All high school sports are state or county funded. I have no idea why people think that because its a video game anything related to it riot should pitch in. Does the NBA found your high schools basketball team, or give out swag?? You are barking up the wrong tree. You need to convince your school board and then your states board of education; not post about it on a forum.

That is assuming this isn't like 99% of the "we are starting a blah blah" that get posted

PunisherJBYDec 16, 20153 votes

Of course look at it from another side. If Riot pitches in and helps a bit (not much not even necessarily monies but shows they care so basically ignoring the 2nd point) it could spark other schools to start it up and grow a larger fan base for the product and eventually make it more widely known. Whether that works or not isn't up for debate because it is a theory. All i want to do is point out the other side. Besides let's be honest. It is highly unlikely a school board or public funding is actually gonna help.

TormeyDec 17, 20152 votes

{quoted}

All high school sports are state or county funded. I have no idea why people think that because its a video game anything related to it riot should pitch in. Does the NBA found your high schools basketball team, or give out swag?? You are barking up the wrong tree. You need to convince your school board and then your states board of education; not post about it on a forum.

That is assuming this isn't like 99% of the "we are starting a blah blah" that get posted

I actually disagree. I am guessing you are unfamiliar with how school boards and state activities actually work. You have to prove the validity of the activity/sport before they will think about funding it. So it is my job to try to do that. As a business move it is beneficial for Riot to try to help high school programs grow. Not only to expand their product, but also grow e-sports into a larger entity. You have to prove that there are buyers, but you also have to sell your product some