**Immaculate High School Scores Big with New eSports Program and State Championship Title**

DANBURY — Electronic sports, better known as eSports, is rapidly gaining popularity on high school and college campuses across the country. Now, this competitive varsity sport has taken center stage at Immaculate High School in Danbury. The private Catholic school, home of the reigning state champion team in Mario Kart, recently unveiled a new state-of-the-art eSports Lab designed to better serve its student gamers.

“We pride ourselves in staying on the cutting edge of trends in sports and giving our Mustangs exciting new opportunities — and that’s exactly what eSports is,” said Nelson Mingachos, Immaculate’s athletic director who oversees 27 varsity sports teams. “Our eSports program is a part of the athletic department at Immaculate and recognized by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC).”

In May, Immaculate’s Mustang Yoshis squad claimed the state championship in Mario Kart for the second year in a row at Quinnipiac University, defeating the Sheehan Titans from Wallingford. High school gamers from across Connecticut competed in popular titles such as Rocket League, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros.

Before the creation of the new eSports Lab, the team practiced in a converted classroom that served as a gaming room. As interest in the sport grew, school officials saw the need for a dedicated space where students could sharpen their gaming skills and prepare for competitions.

The newly designed eSports Lab was created with input from the students themselves. It features soft LED lighting along the walls, new flooring, comfortable ergonomic chairs, and individual gaming stations equipped with high-definition screens. “We dressed it up real nice and wanted the kids to be involved in choosing the colors, lighting, and equipment,” Mingachos explained.

Funded through private donations and contributions from the Mustang All Sports Club — Immaculate’s parent-run athletic organization — this dynamic space rivals those seen on college campuses.

Senior and co-captain Ryan Beverly of Bethel expressed his excitement: “I was beyond surprised when I heard about the space. The room was designed with professional eSports setups in mind and looks just as good as the pros. My favorite part is the LED lights that run from floor to ceiling — they look so cool.”

Junior and co-captain Eli Ribeiro of Danbury appreciates how the new facility boosts team morale and visibility. “Having our own space will positively affect team morale,” Ribeiro noted. “Using actual gaming chairs instead of classroom seats makes the space more comfortable and inviting. The fully decorated room also showcases our successes and can encourage others to join.”

Immaculate eSports coach David Quesnell shared the students’ enthusiasm for the new lab. “The students love having their own room, and the chairs make it feel like a professional eSports setup, similar to what their favorite YouTubers use,” he said. “Now they have their own dedicated space — just like the Volleyball team has its court and the Football team has its field.”

The rise of eSports in schools mirrors a national trend. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), eSports was officially recognized as a sport in 2018. Since then, PlayVS, North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate eSports platform, reports that high school eSports has become one of the fastest-growing extracurricular activities in the U.S., with over 8,600 schools establishing teams. Every state now has eSports teams, and more than 170 colleges offer varsity programs with scholarships available for competitive players.

“School eSports started low key but continues to grow every year,” Mingachos said. “At Immaculate, it began as an idea that has steadily gained momentum.” The team usually consists of 15-20 students across a mix of genders, who practice multiple times a week and participate in regular matches.

“There are a lot of kids who aren’t traditional sports athletes but are gamers,” he added. “eSports gives them a place to come together, play, and be part of a recognized varsity sports team. These student-athletes don’t just play — they train, strategize, and compete with gear built for peak performance. In Mario Kart, they play as a team of four, working together with the same high standards we apply to any other sport. They work just as hard.”

Following their state championship win last year, the Mustang Yoshis had the opportunity to compete against national teams and are now expanding into new games, including chess.

“We’re the only school in the area offering eSports,” Mingachos said proudly. “I’m excited for our players, and I’m eager to continue building this program.”

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*Stay tuned for more updates on Immaculate High School’s eSports journey and their upcoming competitions.*
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