Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is esports?
2) How can I sign-up?
3) Do you have to play competitively to participate?
4) Do you have to play games to be in the esports program?
5) When does the esports season start?
6) Can I sign-up for FT esports if I play at my sending school?
7) Can I sign-up for FT esports if I’m not a student at Francis Tuttle?
8) Do I have to have my own equipment to participate in esports?
9) Do I have to play onsite at FT to participate?
10) What volunteer opportunities are available?
11) Does Francis Tuttle have an esports facility?
12) When are the games played?
13) Is FT esports for adult students?
14) Do you have to try-out for the teams?
1) What is esports? The term esports officially stands for electronic sports. Esports takes video gaming to another level with organized, multiplayer competitive gameplay between teams. Not unlike traditional sports similar to football and basketball, it is governed by its own set of rules and guidelines.
2) How can I sign-up? Competitive play has a fall and spring season. To ensure participation at the beginning of a given season, signup for the fall season starts in August and signup for the spring season starts in January. Signup campaign in the form of meetings and emailed are conducted by the esports committee in the fall and spring. To sign-up at any time, you can complete the form on the Contact Us page at esports.francistuttle.edu. The following information will help expedite the sign-up process: Student first and last name, AM or PM student, campus location, program name, game(s) of interest, and gamertag.
3) Do you have to play competitively to participate? No. Students can participate socially and competitively.
4) Do you have to play games to be in the esports program? No. FT esports is open to both gamers and non-gamers. Non-gamers are able to assist with marketing, shoutcasting, video recording/editing, graphic design, live stream, coaching, etc. as opportunities become available.
5) When does the esports season start? Currently, FT participates in the Fall and Spring seasons of the High School Esports League (HSEL). Specific start and end dates are provided by the HSEL to us several weeks prior to the season start. Once received, FT communicates the start and end dates to the student body.
6) Can I sign-up for FT esports if I play at my sending school? Students who participate in their sending school esports program can participate in the FT esports ONLY IF the sending school does not complete in the same competitive league. FT participates in the High School Esports League (HSEL).
7) Can I sign-up for FT esports if I’m not a student at Francis Tuttle? Only active FT students are allowed to participate in FT esports.
8) Do I have to have my own equipment to participate in esports? No. FT does have an esports facility, called the War Room, in the IT building on the Rockwell campus. This facility contains gaming equipment and is free for use by all active FT students. This facility is open from 11am – 12:35pm and 3:30pm – 7:00pm on most days. This room is managed by volunteers and only remains open at their availability.
9) Do I have to play onsite at FT to participate? No. Students are able to compete remotely using their own equipment.
10) What volunteer opportunities are available? Qualified volunteers are asked to provide coverage in the esports facility (i.e. War Room). This does not require gaming knowledge. Volunteer opportunities also exist in the area of providing coverage during tournament and try-outs. Assistance is also sometimes needed with coaching and monitoring our FT discord. Individuals requesting to become a volunteer that are not an FT staff member or student are required to complete an application and undergo a background check. All background checks are free to the individual.
11) Does Francis Tuttle have an esports facility? Yes. The esports facility is denoted as the War Room. It is located in the IT building on the Rockwell campus.
12) When are the games played? League play typically occurs after school between the hours of 3:30 and 7pm.
13) Is FT esports for adult students? Yes. Our esports program is available for both adults and high school students. High school students are eligible to participate in the High School Esports League competitions. Adults are not eligible to play in this league. Adult students can play in other leagues, college scrimmages, and tournaments.
14) Do you have to try-out for the teams? Try-outs for the FT Varsity teams are held prior to the fall season, typically in September or October. Students who do not make the varsity team are automatically placed on the junior varsity team and still get an opportunity to play through the season. Varsity players represent FT in tournament play.