From a Walk-In Closet to a Gaming Lab: How Lake County Built Its Esports Program

By Russ Wright, Head Esports Coach, Lake County High School

I remember it vividly—Christmas morning, 1991. Sitting before me was a Super Nintendo Entertainment System, accompanied by a copy of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Throughout much of 1992, I spent countless hours exploring the kingdom of Hyrule, discovering hidden caves, collecting powerful weapons, and unknowingly developing a lifelong appreciation for video games.

Today, as an educator, I believe my responsibility extends beyond teaching geometry standards. I also strive to equip students with skills and opportunities that will help them succeed in their future. It was through this mindset that the story of Lake County Esports began.

"Hey Russ, You Play Video Games, Don't You?"

In the spring of 2023, my principal approached me with an unexpected question: "Hey Russ, you play video games, don't you?" Initially, I assumed the comment might be another reminder that I was supposedly "too old" for gaming. Instead, it turned out to be an opportunity—one not only for me, but for several of our students.

I accepted the role of head esports coach with great enthusiasm. However, that excitement quickly turned into concern when I realized that although we had students eager to compete, we had no gaming consoles available for them to use. I brought my personal Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 from home so we could get started. During that first season, our newly formed team competed in my classroom using the Smart Boards as our displays.

A Closet, But Ours

While I was grateful for the chance to start the program, I felt that our players deserved better resources and a more dedicated environment. At that moment, I made a promise to myself: one day, we would have our own gaming lab. My goal was to make that dream a reality by the end of the decade.

"At that moment, I made a promise to myself: one day, we would have our own gaming lab."

The following school year brought gradual progress. Through sponsorship support and successful fundraising efforts, we were able to purchase our own PlayStation 5 consoles and Nintendo Switch systems. In addition, we moved from my classroom into a small unused room within the building. Although the space was roughly the size of a large walk-in closet, it meant everything to our players. For the first time, they had equipment and a space they could call their own. For four seasons, every match was played in that room. It was there that the future of the program began to take shape.

The Grant That Changed Everything

The same principal who had first asked me to coach later approached me with a potential solution to our greatest challenge: having more players than available equipment. A local institution, Dyersburg State Community College, was preparing a grant proposal and wanted to know what our esports program needed. Initially, I planned to request only the bare essentials. However, representatives from DSCC encouraged me to ask for everything the program truly required.

With my wife's help, I spent hours compiling a detailed list of equipment that would best support our students. When we submitted the request, I hoped we might receive a portion of what we asked for. Receiving everything seemed unrealistic.

One year later, I received incredible news: every item we had requested had not only been approved but had already been purchased. While this was exciting, it created a new challenge—where would we put it all? We were about to expand from four consoles to ten, along with twelve gaming PCs, not to mention the desks, chairs, and shelving required to support the equipment.

Building the Lab We Promised Our Students

After presenting the logistical realities to our administration, my principal (by this time a different administrator) agreed that a larger space was necessary. Within three years of beginning the esports program, our vision became a reality. Lake County High School established a dedicated esports gaming lab, providing a place where every interested student could participate and develop their skills.

Why Esports Matters for Non-Traditional Athletes

Many of the students who join our team are individuals who may not participate in traditional athletics, either by choice or ability. Esports provides these students with an opportunity to showcase their talents in a competitive and supportive environment. The landscape of high school athletics is evolving; today, competition extends beyond the field and the court into gaming labs where students compete weekly against schools across the region.

These students pursue scholarships and recognition just as traditional athletes do. More importantly, they find their place within the high school community. Esports is not simply about gameplay—it is about teamwork, communication, and collaboration among students who may not otherwise have had the chance to represent their school.

"Esports is not simply about gameplay—it is about teamwork, communication, and collaboration among students who may not otherwise have had the chance to represent their school."

It also provides opportunities for students who may face physical, mental, or emotional health-related limitations that prevent participation in other sports. Through esports, these students can still experience the pride of being part of a team and identifying themselves as student-athletes. The gaming lab becomes a safe space where students can grow, collaborate, and be themselves in an environment that celebrates their strengths.

More Than a Game

Ultimately, I have learned that esports is not defined by which opponent we face on Thursday afternoons or the occasional frustration of unreliable Wi-Fi during an important match. Instead, esports is about creating opportunities for students who might otherwise move quietly through high school without discovering their potential.

"Esports is about creating opportunities for students who might otherwise move quietly through high school without discovering their potential."

It is about the quiet student finding confidence during a one-on-one tournament, or teammates forming lasting friendships while supporting one another during a competitive match. Esports represents growth—both personal and collaborative—and the strengthening of community support. When those elements come together, esports becomes something far greater than a game.