Board of Education Spotlight: Staff members honored for launch of esports

The Baldwinsville Central School District Board of Education recognized Durgee’s Library Media Specialist Lindsay Cesari and LAN Technology Support Specialist Thomas Liggett Jr., for their successful launch of esports in our school district.

Cesari had a very persistent library volunteer last year who wanted to start an esports team and after several requests, Cesari vowed to make it happen. But she need to recruit someone to help and Liggett was the perfect person for the job.

Esports, at its most basic, is video games played competitively. 

Durgee’s inaugural season kicked off at the beginning of the school year. The fall season wrapped up with six students making it to the playoffs in the National High School Esports League.

For 76 percent of the students who were part of the fall team, this was the first time they’ve been part of a B’ville team and 54 percent of the team does not participate in any other extracurricular activities. Esports helps to build community, allows students to engage with technology, strengthens problem-solving skills, develops collaboration skills and enhances communication skills.