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Game On for the Future: How Brownfield ISD’s Esports Program Builds Tomorrow’s Workforce

At the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA), we believe that investing in education is one of the most powerful ways to support economic growth and sustainability. By fostering an environment where students can develop real-world skills, investing not only prepares them for future job opportunities but also strengthens the region’s talent pipeline. This vision drives our continued support for local Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in all the school districts in our 15-county area such as those at Brownfield ISD, where innovation and practical skills development meet.

A Modern Approach to Career Preparation

CTE programs have become essential in equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in the modern workforce. Brownfield ISD has offered students cutting-edge learning opportunities through a wide array of CTE initiatives, ranging from drone certifications, welding, auto tech, building trades, pharmacy tech, patient care technician, teacher prep —and now, esports.

Esports is more than just a growing competitive entertainment industry—it offers valuable educational opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), leadership, strategic thinking, and communication. With the rise of digital skills across industries, esports introduces students to skills applicable beyond gaming, providing insight into careers in technology, event management, digital content creation, etc.

Coach Gage Smith, who leads Brownfield ISD’s esports program, shares how esports has impacted his students beyond just competition. He recalls an unforgettable moment in May, when one of his students, Jeremiah Villarreal, won the Vanta Spring National Championship in a stunning comeback.

“He was down 21-3 going into the 4th quarter, and it looked like he was going to lose, but he went on a scoring surge to come back 21-18,” Coach Smith said. “In the last 5 seconds of the game, he was down 3 points and was at the goal line on 4th down. Me and his dad both told him to go for the tie so he could try to win in overtime, but he told both of us, ‘Nah, watch this,’ then proceeded to throw a touchdown right down the middle.”

This kind of determination and quick thinking under pressure exemplifies the skills that students are developing through the esports program. Coach Smith also highlights the academic benefits of the program.

“We have seen a huge grade improvement for students that participate in Esports who usually had poor grades or failed before implementing the program,” Coach Smith said. “We’ve been able to reach a different demographic of students that usually never participated in extracurricular activities or had very little involvement in other programs. Some of those students now are actually team captains, very vocal with strong drives and now consistently get B’s or higher in all of their classes.”

LEDA’s Partnership and Support

Recognizing the forward-thinking approach of Brownfield ISD’s CTE programs, LEDA is proud to have contributed financial support to help establish a state-of-the-art esports lab. This lab not only serves as an exciting space for students to engage in esports but also as an innovative learning environment where they can develop crucial skills for the future. 

Coach Smith has also noticed how the esports program has fostered a sense of community within the school. “The program has increased the number of friends for students and even created a whole new ‘community’ within the school. We surprisingly had a decent group of students who played Nintendo games, particularly Super Smash Bros, but did not know other students played the same games. Now, after school, we have students stay and play in my classroom and even hold small tournaments between themselves and their other friends outside of school.”

The esports lab is fully equipped with the latest technology, including; 40 gaming computers and headsets, six Nintendo Switches, four Nintendo Docking Stations, four Nintendo Wheels and two Xbox Consoles, a mix of gaming keyboards and multiple different types of gaming mouses. This investment ensures that students have access to the best possible resources to learn, compete, and grow in a dynamic and evolving field.

The Bigger Picture: Strengthening the Local Workforce

The implementation of Brownfield ISD’s esports lab is part of a broader strategy to promote workforce readiness in the Lubbock region. By encouraging students to pursue technical skills early on, a foundation for long-term economic success is being created. Many of the skills honed through esports, such as collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, are directly applicable to other careers.

The hope is that the Esports lab and all CTE programs foster a culture of innovation and empowers students to explore diverse career pathways. By investing in education in our 15-county area, we are investing in the future workforce of Lubbock, ensuring that both our students and our businesses thrive.