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Danville schools expand esports; GW fields two teams and Galileo qualifies for state
Summary
District staff updated the board on the VHSL-sponsored esports program: George Washington High fielded two competitive Super Smash Brothers teams (one qualified for state) and Galileo also qualified; preseason begins Jan. 20 and the spring season starts in February.
Danville School Board members heard an update Jan. 9 on the district’s VHSL-sponsored esports program, which has grown to include multiple teams at George Washington High School (GW) and Galileo.
Mister Danaher, who presented the item, said esports is an official VHSL activity with two seasons and state tournaments. “eSports is online gaming, and they compete against each other, via the Internet,” Danaher said, explaining that students typically play from classrooms against teams statewide and sometimes across the country for practice matches.
Danaher told the board GW fielded two competitive teams this fall; the school’s blue team ranked 60th in the state and qualified for the state tournament (the state advances the top 64 teams). The silver team ranked 66th and narrowly missed qualification. Galileo also qualified for the state tournament. Danaher listed players from GW’s teams and said preseason practice begins Jan. 20 and the VHSL spring season starts in February.
Coaching and staffing were discussed: the program started with two coaches, one of whom (Coach Dennis) is no longer with the district; Coach Pack remains and the district is seeking additional coaching capacity as numbers grow. Board members expressed interest in visiting the team’s classroom and watching practices; Mister Payne asked to be shown the program and Danaher said he would arrange a visit.
Danaher and coaches framed esports as a growing extracurricular pathway that offers competition opportunities and potential college scholarships for skilled players. The board did not take formal action on the esports report; the presentation was informational.
