With over three billion gamers globally and nearly five million video games, esports is no longer a hobby—it’s a global phenomenon. Esports has transformed into a professional sport where serious gamers train like traditional athletes.
In esports, reflexes are everything. Jefferson Coach Sam Allen has been in the esports industry for eight years, playing, coaching, and teaching since 2017. It was not easy finding a coach to begin Jefferson’s esports club at first. Allen filled that void with a desire to not only build a winning team, but redefine the perception of esports altogether.
Esports is more than just gaming. To Allen, it’s a strategic sport, a team sport, and a sport of discipline. His goal? To help students learn communication skills, how to work as a team, and become better people—skills that extend beyond the virtual playing field.
Jefferson’s esports team had twelve students participate this year: six for League of Legends, five for Rocket League, and one chess player. As with every sport, there are victories and defeats in esports. When his team loses, Allen instructs them to look at mistakes, make changes, and improve. He pushes players out of their comfort zones without being insensitive to their limits—striking a balance between challenge and support.
While all of the students played well, two students really stood out this season, Legend Thompson and Alex Loiselle-Carlson. Both Legend and Alex showed leadership and a willingness to teach others. Early in the season, Allen named them as team captains. While Allen worked with other students, the captains would assist with practice.
Recruiting new players is difficult because some students don’t consider esports a “sport.” Allen is about to change that mindset. His motto? You don’t need to be the greatest player in the world to don the uniform—just dedicated.
For now, the team plays Rocket League, League of Legends, and chess which are sanctioned by the district, but Allen envisions possibilities to include the likes of Fortnite, Mario Kart, and Minecraft Bed Wars. Most importantly, he hopes esports will grow with better games, coaches, and equipment.
The season ended with two teams qualifying for the state tournament in Aberdeen, League of Legends and chess. Bradley, our chess player, placed top thirty-two in the state, and our League team was top eight.
Allen states, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” He instructs students to be courageous, to know their worth, to break down mental barriers—because, as with life, success comes to the volunteers who want to play.
As the world of esports expands, Allen Samuel and his business are proving to the world that gaming isn’t just a hobby—it’s a sport, a community, and a path to success.