Downey Unified brings back eSports tournament

Students practice for DUSD’s second annual eSports tournament.

DOWNEY - Downey Unified, in partnership with the Carrot Group, announced the creation of the Downey Unified eSports League (DUEL) and the kick-off of the second annual Overwatch Downey Unified eSports High School Tournament: A MADE Initiative.

In the six-week program managed by HighSchool.GG, students from Downey, Warren and Columbus high schools will form six-member teams and compete against the other teams within each school.

The program will culminate in a Championship Match on Dec. 9 at the Downey Civic Theatre where the top team from each high school will compete against each other for the grand prize.

Part of Downey Unified’s College and Career Readiness Initiative, this program will show students how their interest in video gaming could turn into prospective career opportunities, all while addressing a positive approach to healthy competition including teamwork, leadership, resilience and problem solving.

All participating students will attend a facilitated off-campus Workforce Development session from educational partners such as Survios, Positive Coaching Alliance, West Hills College Coalinga and leading game designers.

Participating students will also be eligible to enroll in two free online Game Design courses, each worth three transferable graded college credits, offered by West Hills College Coalinga.

“We are so proud to be holding our second eSports Tournament that is still the first and only high school eSports program with an integrated career exploration and workforce development component in the region,” said John Harris, Director of College & Career Readiness for. Downey Unified. “This competition underscores our Board of Education’s commitment to prepare our students for life after graduation. With DUEL, we now have a structure in place to help our students pursue ab industry focused career pathway.”

“We are honored to partner with Downey Unified once again to create DUEL and design another impactful eSports Tournament to align with their college and career readiness initiatives,” added Alan Zack, President of Carrot Group. “Last year was a huge success and we received tremendous feedback from parents, teachers and students. We were excited to see the overwhelming support to do this program again.”

Each member of the winning team will receive a grand prize package including a trophy, a video gaming accessories package from industry-leading SteelSeries, a meeting with top game designers, a championship ring from Jostens and an all-expense paid trip to a one-week Game Design Bootcamp.

Additionally, the winning high school will receive a trophy and a $1,000 gift certificate towards computer supplies.