The Michigan High School Esports League became free to compete in this spring season and made record breaking numbers; 164 schools with more than 700 teams competing and engaging 3,000+ high school students in the state. MHSEL continues to be the largest high school esports league in the state.
MHSEL offers ten game titles; one regional title (teams compete regionally with teams from different states) and the nine remaining game titles are state leagues (teams compete with other teams in Michigan). On April 15 the MHSEL post-season playoffs will kick off; go to massp.com/esports under “Spring 2024 Season …” to get game title schedules.
To conclude MHSEL’s Spring 2024 Season, they will host an in-person competition for the top four most popular state game titles on Saturday, April 27 at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. The game titles that will be showcased in-person with semi-finals and championship matches are: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU), Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (MK8D), Rocket League (RL) and Overwatch (OW).
Spectators will be able to watch the action live, competitors will be able to interact with collegiate programs, MHSEL awards will be presented, a Solo SSBU Tournament for HS students will be held and more. Learn more about the April 27 in-person event: massp.com/MHSEL24_SpringChamps.
Throughout this spring season MHSEL has held/partnered four in-person tournaments/invitationals for student athletes to gain experience and interact with more colleges/universities. These additional events this season have engaged 44 different high schools with more than 150 student athletes.
On January 20 Mona Shores High School held the inaugural New Year’s Two for One Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: crew battle and individual. Six schools represented six teams in the crew battle tournament and 25 student athletes in the individual tournament.
- Crew Battle Winner: Mona Shores
- Crew Battle Runner-Up: Rockford
- Individual First Place: Jared Dault, Orchard View
- Individual Second Place: Justin Bennett, Rockford
- Individual Third Place: Tristan Fillmore, Quincy
- Individual Fourth Place: Evan Harter, Mona Shores
Divine Child High School held the second annual DC Sanctum Smash Series on March 9, partnered with Central Michigan University & MHSEL; 64 student athletes represented 28 different high schools.
- Champion: Danny Padula, Detroit Catholic Central
- Runner Up: Lance Toma, Detroit Catholic Central
- Amateur Bracket Winner: Jaden Underwood, Starkweather Academy
On March 15, Brown City High School hosted the first-ever Big Thumb Esports Showcase Rocket League Invitational; five high schools were represented by six teams.
- Champions: North Branch
- Runner-Ups: Millington
MHSEL, Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Griffins hosted the second annual Griffin-Laker Rocket League Invitational on March 16; eight teams represented eight high schools.
- Champions: Caledonia
- Runner-Ups: Grand Rapids West Catholic
“We have been working to build a community and culture for scholastic high school esports in Michigan,” said Ryan Cayce, Director of MHSEL. “This is all for the benefits of students and the opportunities that are possible for them in the expanding world of esports.”
MHSEL is looking forward to a great event on April 27 at Oakland University to conclude the Spring 2024 Season and school year. MHSEL encourages anyone – especially students, educators and parents – who are interested in watching or learning more about high school esports to attend the event! Learn more here: massp.com/MHSEL24_SpringChamps.
For additional information, visit mhsel.org. MHSEL started in Fall of 2020 and is hosted by the MASSP and the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Michigan Association of Honor Societies in partnership with PlayVS. The mission of MHSEL is to provide safe, competitive, and curricular environments that allow student athletes the opportunity to build critical skill sets, explore vast career paths, and contribute to their school culture within varsity esports.