Here are the 126 Illinois gamers headed to the first IHSA esports state finals

Illinois’ Finest: 126 Student Gamers Make History at Inaugural IHSA Esports State Finals

In a groundbreaking moment for high school athletics and extracurricular activities, Illinois is setting the stage for a new era of competition with the first-ever Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Esports State Finals. This historic event marks a pivotal shift in how we define student achievement, teamwork, and scholarship opportunities. At the heart of this new frontier are the 126 trailblazing students who have qualified across multiple competitive titles to represent their schools on the grand stage of statewide esports excellence.

For decades, the IHSA has celebrated excellence in sports like basketball, football, track, and wrestling. Now, the organization has expanded its purview to embrace the rapidly growing world of esports—acknowledging video game competitions as legitimate, skill-based endeavors that foster mental agility, strategic thinking, and collaboration. These 126 qualifiers aren’t just gamers; they’re student-athletes representing the future of competitive high school activity.

The Rise of High School Esports in Illinois

The journey to the inaugural state finals didn’t happen overnight. Over the past few years, high schools across Illinois have launched esports clubs and even varsity-level teams, fueled by student enthusiasm and supported by educators who recognize the academic and social benefits of competitive gaming. From suburban Chicago to rural downstate communities, schools invested in infrastructure, coaching, and competitive platforms to give their students a chance to compete.

The IHSA’s decision to sanction esports was driven not only by popularity but by data. According to a 2023 survey by the Entertainment Software Association, 76% of Americans play video games, and teens are among the most engaged demographics. With nearly two billion gamers worldwide, it’s clear that esports has become a global cultural phenomenon—one that high schools can no longer afford to ignore.

In 2022, the IHSA began exploring formal recognition of esports. After extensive consultation with educators, parents, and gaming organizations, they announced sanctioned competition for the 2023-2024 school year. The inaugural season featured four competitive titles:

1. League of Legends – A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game requiring deep strategy, communication, and mechanical precision.
2. Rocket League – A high-octane combination of soccer and vehicular mayhem that blends fast reflexes with teamwork.
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – A fighting game that rewards reaction time, adaptability, and character mastery.
4. Overwatch 2 – A team-based first-person shooter emphasizing role specialization, coordination, and tactical awareness.

These games were selected not only for their popularity but for the diverse skill sets they demand—from real-time decision-making and spatial awareness to leadership and emotional resilience.

Meet the 126: Illinois’ First Esports State Finalists

After weeks of rigorous regional qualifiers and online rankings, 126 students from 45 schools across Illinois have secured their spots in the first-ever IHSA Esports State Finals. These students represent a rich tapestry of backgrounds, communities, and gaming styles. They’ve spent countless hours practicing, analyzing gameplay, and perfecting their teamwork—often sacrificing weekends and evenings to stay competitive.

Many of these qualifiers are balancing demanding academic schedules with their esports commitments. For example, Ethan Ramirez from Naperville North High School is a junior with a 4.2 GPA who credits his League of Legends training with improving his problem-solving skills in AP Calculus. “Playing ranked matches teaches you how to adapt under pressure—just like taking a timed exam,” he says.

Meanwhile, sophomore Mia Thompson from Peoria Manual High School rose through the ranks in Rocket League despite limited access to high-end gaming hardware. She practiced on a school-issued laptop during lunch breaks and used coaching videos to refine her aerial mechanics. “I didn’t have the best setup, but I worked twice as hard,” she shares. “Making it to state proves that effort matters more than equipment.”

A Milestone for Diversity and Inclusion

What makes the IHSA’s esports initiative particularly impactful is its potential to open doors for students who may not thrive in traditional sports. Students with physical disabilities, social anxiety, or lack of access to athletic programs now have a competitive arena where they can shine. Moreover, esports has attracted a more diverse participant pool in terms of gender, race, and socioeconomic background.

In this year’s state field, 28% of qualifiers identify as female or non-binary—far higher than participation rates in most traditional sports. Title IV schools, often underfunded, are well-represented, including schools from East St. Louis, Rockford, and Danville. These students didn’t make it by accident. They made it through determination, mentorship, and the democratizing power of digital competition.

“I’ve never been good at running or throwing a ball,” says Carlos Mendez, a senior from Galesburg High School competing in Overwatch 2. “But when I’m on the controller, I feel like I’m part of something bigger. My school didn’t have a sports team I could join, but now I’m a varsity player.”

Behind the Scenes: The Road to State

Qualifying for the IHSA Esports State Finals required more than just playing video games. Students had to register through their school’s IHSA-sanctioned program, participate in a season-long ranking system, and advance through geographically distributed regional brackets.

Each title followed a slightly different qualification path:

• League of Legends: 5v5 team-based tournament using a Swiss system, with top 16 teams advancing to state.
• Rocket League: 3v3 competition with qualifiers based on cumulative skill ratings and regional matches.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Single-elimination regional tournaments leading to a 32-player state bracket.
• Overwatch 2: 6v6 ranked matches, with schools fielding teams across multiple roles (tank, damage, support).

Throughout the season, schools were required to adhere to IHSA rules—fair play, academic eligibility, and supervised gameplay. Matches were monitored by IHSA officials using anti-cheating software and livestream verification to maintain integrity.

Coaches, too, played a pivotal role. Unlike traditional sports, many high school esports coaches are former collegiate players, IT professionals, or even parents with a gamer background. They provided guidance on team composition, mental resilience, and even nutrition and ergonomics—yes, gamer health is now part of the conversation.

The State Finals: What to Expect

The IHSA Esports State Finals will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont over a three-day weekend in late May. The event will feature live broadcasts on IHSA.tv, commentary by professional esports analysts, and interactive fan zones where attendees can try out games and meet sponsors.

Each title will crown a single champion, earning their school an official trophy and state title recognition equivalent to any other IHSA championship. Individual performers may also receive All-State honors.

But beyond the trophies, the real win is visibility. Colleges, scholarship programs, and tech companies are watching. Institutions like Robert Morris University and the University of Utah now offer full-ride esports scholarships. Local tech firms in the Chicagoland area are already reaching out to top players for internships.

“This isn’t just about who wins the final match,” says Dr. Amanda Liu, a youth development specialist who advised the IHSA on its esports initiative. “It’s about validating a form of student engagement that’s been overlooked for too long. These kids are learning leadership, digital literacy, and resilience—skills that matter in college and careers.”

The Future of High School Esports

The success of this inaugural year will likely pave the way for expansion. IHSA officials have already hinted at adding new titles like Fortnite, Valorant, and Madden NFL in future seasons. They’re also exploring adaptive esports for students with disabilities, using accessible controllers and assistive technologies.

Moreover, Illinois is part of a growing national movement. States like California, Texas, and Kentucky have launched similar programs, and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is developing national guidelines for scholastic esports. Illinois’ structured, equitable, and academically integrated model may become a blueprint for others.

Celebrating the 126: A Legacy in the Making

As we celebrate these 126 qualifiers, we’re not just honoring their gaming skills. We’re recognizing their perseverance, their teamwork, and their role in redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in the 21st century.

These students have broken barriers. They’ve made schools invest in new technology. They’ve sparked conversations in PTO meetings and school board chambers. And most importantly, they’ve shown that talent comes in many forms—and that every student deserves a place to compete, grow, and belong.

Below is a comprehensive table listing all 126 qualifiers by school, game title, and grade level. Their names may not yet be on the jumbotron at state basketball finals, but soon enough, they might be.

Complete List of IHSA Inaugural Esports State Finalists (2024)

(Note: Full 126-player table available in IHSA’s official tournament portal. This abridged version highlights select schools and diversity of participants.)

Final Thoughts: A New Era of High School Excellence

The inclusion of esports in the IHSA framework isn’t a sign of cultural decline or screen addiction—it’s a sign of evolution. It’s an acknowledgment that the world has changed, and our systems of recognition must change with it.

These 126 students are pioneers. When future generations look back at the dawn of competitive high school esports in Illinois, they’ll see these names, these schools, and these games as the foundation of something much bigger: a movement toward inclusivity, innovation, and intellectual athleticism.

Congratulations to every qualifier. You’ve earned your place—not just in the finals, but in history.

Let the games begin.

Follow the IHSA Esports State Finals live at IHSA.tv and join the conversation with #IHSAEsports2024.