Coronado Middle School launched its first-ever esports club, led by co-advisors Brian Garcia, a guidance counselor, and Matt Smith, a history teacher.
The newly-formed Triton Esports Team made its competitive debut last month.
“This is our first year,” Smith said. “In fact, we are just a few months into it, and we’ve already seen tremendous interest. We’re getting more than 30 students attending across both lunch periods.”
The team meets weekly during lunch and holds additional after-school practices to prepare for tournaments.
Smith and Garcia say the esports team has created a meaningful space for students who may not otherwise feel connected to school.
“The team fills a unique niche, and helps kids find a place where they can feel comfortable, engaged and successful,” Smith explained.
Inclusivity is at the core of the team’s mission — there are no tryouts or cuts, and all students are welcome.
“I’m elated and it’s been especially rewarding to see students who receive additional educational supports finding a space to connect through the club,” said Garcia.
Approximately 45% of team members have an IEP or 504 plan.
While all students in grades 6–8 are welcome to attend lunch meetings, those who wish to compete in tournaments must maintain a 2.0 GPA and meet behavior expectations.
“This mirrors CIF guidelines for traditional sports and provides extra motivation for students to stay on track academically,” Smith said.
The CMS Esports program is funded through a recent Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) CS+ computer science grant awarded to the district.
