Press Release

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley School High School announced at the May 14 Board Work Session that an esports club is in the works for the 2020-21 school year as Tippecanoe Valley High School will join the Indiana High School Esports Network (IHSEN).

Esports describes the world of competitive, organized video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games that are popular with at-home gamers: Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers and Madden NFL, to name a few.

IHSEN is a statewide competitive video gaming league with Tippecanoe Valley joining 17 other schools across the state currently involved:

Anderson High School
Carmel High School
Clinton Central High School
Clinton Prairie High School
Elkhart High School
Munster High School
Kankakee Valley High School
Kokomo High School
Mississinewa High School
Munster High School
Noblesville High School
Portage High School
Rossville High School
Salem High School
Seeger High School
Tipton High School
Western High School

TVHS principal Brandon Kresca shared, “At Tippecanoe Valley, we are always looking for new ways to provide inspiring opportunities for our students. We are pleased to announce that Tippecanoe Valley High School plans to join the Indiana High School Esports Network and bring an organized esports gaming club to our school and community. I just feel very strongly that momentum is building in Esports gaming and this is a way to reach even more of our students.”

Kresca continued, “I know there will be a great interest for many students to join this club whether or not they participate in athletics, music, and other various extra-curricular activities at Valley. This may give these students a niche, and the hope is it may even help them with career planning and future goals.”

The TVHS Esports coaches are Jonathan Tinkey and Nick Deranek.

“I am excited and looking forward to Tippecanoe Valley becoming one of the first schools in our area to bring esports to our school,” Tinkey said. “Esports will open up additional opportunities for our students. The future is bright for this new adventure for Tippecanoe Valley students.”

Valley is exploring the possibility of an esports kick off this summer or fall camp for all ages. Please follow the Tippecanoe Valley Facebook page or contact Tinkey at [email protected].

The Indiana High School Esports Network’s missions is listed as “Bringing esports to Indiana schools while creating a positive community where students are number one.” The league is constructed to provide a place for students to experience esports.  The league is firm in its aim for inclusivity that gaming is for everyone and all students should feel welcome.