NASEF x CSMG Esports Invitational Brings Together Over 150 Students at CAL Expo!

On November 16-17, NASEF hosted a Middle School and High School Invitational at the California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento. Over 150 students from 17 schools came together to compete in a two-day esports event featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU), Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch 2, and Valorant. Organized by CSMG, Esports Foundry, ESPORTSU, and NASEF, the event gave students the chance to build an in-person community, showcase their skills, and enjoy some friendly competition.

Students from the following schools participated:

• Ripon High School (Ripon)
• Live Oak Middle School (Live Oak)
• River Valley High School (Yuba City)
• Oakmont High School (Roseville)
• Center High School (Antelope)
• Clovis West High School (Clovis)
• Woodcreek High School (Roseville)
• Westlake Charter High School (Sacramento)
• Westlake Charter Middle School (Sacramento)
• Washington Union High School (Fresno)
• St. John Bosco High School (Bellflower)
• Huntington Beach High School (Huntington Beach)
• J Serra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano)
• Wheatland Union High School (Wheatland)
• Sanger High School (Sanger)
• Sierra High School (Manteca) 
• Clayton Valley Charter High School (Concord)

Championship Results

The competition wrapped up with some incredible matches and winning teams across all five game titles:

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Center High School 
• Rocket League: River Valley High School
• League of Legends: Huntington Beach High School
• Overwatch 2: Sanger High School
• Valorant: Clayton Valley Charter High School

Huntington Beach High School, League of Legends winners

Center High School, SSBU winners

River Valley High School, Rocket League Winners

Attendee Impressions

Coaches and team leaders resoundingly applauded the event. Comments included:

“NASEF x CECC West Esports Invitational was hands down the most efficiently run and well funded event I have ever been to. This was the first LAN event that my students had the opportunity to attend and we all had a great time… We certainly could do with more events like this one so students can have the experience of being a part of the esports scene without it being through a monitor.” Kyle Duong, HBHS Esports

"These events are important for my high school kids to compete in. Not only does it show them that this activity is possible for them, it also shows that there is something for them after they graduate. These kids have multiple options to choose a pathway to success. Events like this only open up more pathways for kids to succeed in life. For me, I had to scramble to get a Valorant team together. But those kids were so excited from this event that they want to continue in the program and attend more like this. So we are growing our program from events like this, we are showcasing that this space is possible. Something that usually has a negative stigma now has been turned around into a positive space. These events are important for kids because they watch them on streaming websites all the time and now they get to be apart of it and experience the excitement of competitions." David Yonan, Ripon HS

“This was the first LAN event many of my students have ever attended. The space, the booths, the traveling, all of it provided legitimacy to the programs we are building at our respective school sites. It showed students and parents that we weren't ‘just playing video games.’ Students were competing, strategizing, and overcoming adversity and setbacks. Many of the traits that are in traditional sports are what we are trying to teach students in esports, and more events like this provide opportunities for these skills to be demonstrated, evaluated, and improved upon. As a coach, I benefitted from networking with the collegiate directors, discussing ways to improve the academic side to include dual enrollment possibilities and major/career pathways.” Anthony Bringetto, Clovis West HS, 2024 NASEF Scholastic Fellow

Acknowledgments

This event wouldn’t have been possible without support from our partners:

• Valhallan Esports Center in Folsom, for generously lending us PCs and support on site during the event.
• AVID Headsets, for donating headsets for the winning teams and providing a videographer for the event.
• Gilmore Computer Services of Oroville, for helping with networking and device setup, as well as ongoing support and help during the event.
• Game Crossing LLC, for generously lending us Nintendo Switches for our event. 

Thanks to EsportsU, Esports Foundry, and CSMG for organizing the event and inviting schools from all over California to participate.

This event brought students together to compete, connect, and have fun, and we’re already looking forward to the next big event! Many of our students had the opportunity to to interact with colleges from around the country, meet coaches, and talk with their players.