Video games have gained momentum in the entertainment industry since the 1970s, when games like Pong and Pac-Man surfaced and became popular. Since then, video games have evolved a lot and grown even more in popularity. Many individuals enjoy online video games for leisure and to connect with people who share the same interests. Mater Dei students are no exception to this trend and many have found the Mater Dei ESports Team a great way to express this passion. The Mater Dei ESports Team was founded in 2017, and since then, the Monarchs have maintained the legacy they built eight years ago.

Michael Jimenez, the ESports Head Coach since 2021, explains that the competitive yet supportive environment attracts many Mater Dei students. Jimenez aims to create an enjoyable and spirited environment for his passionate players, regardless of their skill and prior experience. 

“We welcome everybody, and we have coaches to help students develop those skills to be good at the game that they’re playing, as well as [become] good team players,” Jimenez said.

Although Jimenez grew up with older video games compared to those of the present day, he acts as a reliable mentor for his students. Like many other players and students, he fell in love with the hobby from the time he got hands on his first system.

“[The] first time I [played] video games was when I was five,” Jimenez said. “My dad bought a Super Nintendo, which is a very old console in which you had to use cassettes. That was the first time that I was exposed to video games, [and] I just loved it.” 

Jimenez aspires to share his love of video games to his fellow team members. He creates a warm environment, which allows the team to bond well with one another and form meaningful connections. Sophomore Athena Beneck joined the team this fall, and believes Jimenez is a positive role model and an inspiration to the team.

“[Mr. Jimenez] makes sure that we have matches [against other schools], and that we have the right gear,” Beneck said. “He helps provide and upkeep the computers [too].”

The ESports athletes are a part of a tight-knit community. The students expand on the supportive environment Jimenez initiates by including one another and giving valuable feedback. Freshman Noah Garrido thinks that the team is well built and has developed a good bond.

“The community in ESports is really good,” Garrido said. “[We correspond well], and we all are really nice to each other.” 

The ESports team is not just an extracurricular but also an elective class open to all grade levels. The group is divided into different teams for certain types of games. To create new squads, there must be enough players for the specific type of video game.

Garrido joined the ESports team because he felt his skills were valuable in helping the team succeed. His passion for certain games was his motive, but unfortunately, his game isn’t accommodated in a team at this time.

“[I got into ESports] because I played [a lot of] video games and needed people to play with,” Garrido said. “War Thunder is currently my favorite, but we don’t have a team for that.” 

The Mater Dei ESports team offers students a valuable opportunity to spend their free time, make new friends, and discover new video games. Members of the team express their love of video games with supportive and friendly company. The team is open to all Mater Dei students and connects players with a larger community of ESports teams through worldwide competitions. In these past few years, members have continued this Mater Dei legacy in the hope that the ESports team will endure beyond their own high school careers.