Massachusetts School Administrators' Association

MSAA Esports

Esports in Massachusetts

The MSAA has partnered with PlayVS to bring esports to high schools throughout Massachusetts. Esports, or competive gaming, is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country and, much like traditional sports, requires teamwork, critical thinking, and communication to achieve success. However, esports goes ever further to create a barrier-breaking, all-inclusive environment with a strong sense of community. All games are selected based on their competitiveness and strategy and are rated E for Everyone.

Games

State Leagues

  • Rocket League
  • League of Legends
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Regional Leagues

  • Splatoon 2
  • Madden 22
  • Mario Kart
  • Hearthstone
  • NBA 2K3

Why Participate

A few key facts on why you should consider MSAA esports:

  • 45 participating schools
  • 1,243 registered players
  • 27 students per school program
  • Students who participate feel more connected and motivated, leading to improved attendance, grades, graduation rates, and other positive outcomes.
  • Over $15 million in esports scholarships are available.

Learn More About Esports

a young man plays a video game on a computer

General Team Information

Each school is required to have an esports coach who is onsite for all matches. Esports teams are all inclusive and can vary across skill, age and gender. Each student needs the following: one computer/laptop and one set of peripherals (mouse, keyboard, headset). Students can use their own, or schools could provide these. Jerseys are optional. Official competition rules and gameplay settings will be sent at a later date.

Minimum System Requirements

  • 2 GHz processor (supporting SSE2 instruction set or higher)
  • 1 GB RAM (2 GB of RAM for Windows Vista and newer)
  • 8 GB available hard disk space
  • Shader version 2.0 capable video card
  • Screen resolutions up to 1920×1200
  • Support for DirectX v9.0c or better
  • Windows XP (Service Pack 3 ONLY), Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10

Recommended Specs

  • 3 GHz processor
  • 2 GB of RAM (4 GB of RAM for Windows Vista and higher)
  • 12 GB available hard disk space
  • Nvidia GeForce 8800/AMD Radeon HD 5670 or equivalent video card (Dedicated GPU with 512MB or higher Video Memory(VRAM))
  • Support for DirectX v9.0c or better.
  • Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 with the latest service pack installed
  • The latest update to .NET Framework from Microsoft

PlayVS

PlayVS is bringing esports to high schools across the United States. Through our online platform, integrations with game publishers and exclusive partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations, we are building the infrastructure for the next big emerging sport. Take your gameplay to the next level. Compete together and become an esports champion. 

Past champions

Season 8 - Spring 2023

League of Legends
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Ipswich HS

Rocket League
State Champion: Tewksbury Memorial HS
Finalist: Shrewsbury HS

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
State Champion: Swampscott HS
Finalist: Dartmouth HS

Season 7 - Fall 2022

League of Legends
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Newton South HS

Rocket League
State Champion: Tewksbury Memorial HS
Finalist: Shrewsbury HS

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
State Champion: Swampscott HS
Finalist: Dartmouth HS

Season 6 - Spring 2022

League of Legends
State Champion: Acton-Boxborough RHS
Finalist: Saint John’s HS

Rocket League
State Champion: David Prouty HS
Finalist: Tewksbury Memorial HS

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
State Champion: Northbridge HS
Finalist: Swampscott HS

Season 5 - Fall 2021

League of Legends
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Wachusett Regional HS

Rocket League
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Tewksbury Memorial HS

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
State Champion: Northbridge HS
Finalist: Minnechaug Regional HS

Season 4 - Spring 2021

League of Legends
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Acton-Boxborough RHS

Rocket League:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Wachusett Regional HS

Season 3 - Fall 2020

League of Legends: 
State Champion: Natick HS
Finalist: Shrewsbury HS

Rocket League:
Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: David Prouty HS

Season 2 - Fall 2019

League of Legends:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Acton-Boxborough RHS

Rocket League:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Andover HS

Season 1 - Spring 2019

League of Legends:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Lowell HS

Rocket League:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Oliver Ames HS

Season 0 - Fall 2018

League of Legends:
State Champion: Shrewsbury HS
Finalist: Newton South HS