OLATHE, Kan. (KCTV) – The Kansas High School Activities Association is launching an e-sports league statewide, giving students new opportunities to turn gaming skills into college scholarships.
Olathe West High School students are among those benefiting from the expansion. What started as an after-school club for friends has grown into an official travel team offering scholarship opportunities that more Kansas schools can now join.
From hobby to official sport
Seniors Cayden Kies and Kaylee Bradford practice and compete through video games. They never thought their favorite hobby could become part of their education.
“I think it’s just great to help my brain grow and strategize with new people,” said Kies, who is a captain on the Mario Kart team.
“Whenever you’re on a team, it’s communication building, teamwork building,” Bradford said. “For example, if one sees a blue shell, you call blue shell. All those important life skills in general.” Bradford is also a captain on the Mario Kart and Smash Bros team.
State expansion brings more competition
Up until this year, the school had to find events on its own. Now, Kansas is expanding e-sports to all schools, offering more competition and events. Last April, the board of directors for KSHSAA membership voted to approve an e-sports state championship if at least 24 schools sign up. A survey sent out in June showed that over 80 schools have an interest in participating in the new league.
For the 2025-26 season, KSHSAA and PlayVS will offer Rocket League, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Super Smash Bros as games students can play in competitions. Madden and Valorant will be considered if participating schools show high enough interest to add them to the playlist.
“Now, they can come to their own school and continue to pursue friendships and teamwork skills with things they actually enjoy, like video games,” Kies said.
“It’s just amazing to see going from after-school hangouts where it’s chips and your friends to now being an official sport,” Bradford said. “And people getting opportunities that were never even possible.”
College scholarship opportunities
Because of e-sports, some on the Olathe West team now have the possibility to go to college for free. Universities are also expanding e-sports into their curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
“There’s been three so far going into college with scholarships,” Bradford said. “One was a full-ride, Elijah Kennedy got in for Smashbros and Elijah Custer got into KU for Rocket League.”
Kyra Krenzer was the third player on the Olathe West High E-Sports team to receive a scholarship and will play at Ottawa University next year to be a shoutcaster. According to the team ‘X’ page, she’s got the “first-ever women’s E-Sports Scholarship.”
Kansas schools must register teams with the KSHSAA by Nov. 30. Preseason is already underway, but the season runs from December through January 31st.
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