Andy Mendez joins us to talk about the importance of supporting esports at the high school level, how it’ll make the process of creating endemic people in the space even smoother, and everything students must know to start an esports club at their high schools.

Andy Mendez is the Executive Director of the Illinois High School Esports Association. He is responsible for building the esports space in the Illinois area. He is also an esports coach and host of the Blueprint Podcast.

In this episode, Andy shares his journey in the high school esports space, what got him into it, and how he created opportunities for himself thanks to his passion for gaming and esports. We talked about the process of creating an esports club in high schools; Andy shared some advice for students who want to make one in their high schools and to who they should talk. 

We also dive into why students should promote the creation of esports clubs at their high schools, the connection between STEM-Related careers and gaming, the soft skills esports and gaming teach, and so much more.

Resources:

Visit the Illinois High School Esports Association website: https://www.ihsea.org/.

Or follow them on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IHSEA.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ihsea_org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihsea_org/

You can also connect with Andy on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mendez117/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/abxygg

Full Episode Breakdown:

1:48 – Andy explains what is the Illinois High School Esports Association about.

2:19 – Andy tells the story of how he got involved with the IHSEA.

7:41 – Andy describes his intention and what he was determined to accomplish at the beginning of his work at the IHSEA.

11:55 – Andy and John discuss the connection between STEM-Related careers and gaming.

14:39 – Andy explains how purposely led gaming preparation can help gamers upgrade their natural talents at gaming.

20:02 – Andy and John talk about the soft skills gaming and esports can help students develop.

24:58 – Andy talks about how high school students responded to creating the first League of Legends program.

30:12 – Not all students are into esports, but every student is a gamer.

34:27 – Who should high school students talk to if they want to start an esports club at their school.

37:03 – Andy and John talk about the opportunities creating an esports high school club can offer students.

42:51 – Andy shares a beautiful example of how esports can help students with extracurricular activities and develop school pride. 

44:16 – Esports can provide the same experiences any traditional sports can provide for students. Teamwork, communication, dealing with defeat, and much more. 

50:18 – Andy explains how important it is to create endemic professionals and how high school esports can massively help with that.