Paul Smith's College Partners with Saranac Lake High School to Host Competitions in Dake Family Esports Lab

PAUL SMITHS, N.Y. ~ Paul Smith's College has announced that it is working with Saranac Lake Central School on hosting a major North Country eSports competition at the Stewart's Shops Dake Family Esports Lab, located on the PSC campus. The College will also host additional Esports-themed open houses where Section VII & X programs will be invited to check out the lab, talk with PSC Esports athletes, tour the campus, and play some friendly competitions.  

Saranac Lake High School Athletic Director Forrest Morgan has announced an Esports team that will begin play this winter. The Red Storm have 15 students signed up; Esports at SLCHS is now a recognized varsity sport at the school.  

"At our recent winter sports meeting with parents, we even gave the Esports team uniforms - Esports is here to stay." said Morgan.  

Furthermore, he said plans are already underway in other North Country school districts to make Esports teams a reality, and with that, the possibility of a challenge competition between participating schools from Sections VII and X, to be held at the college which has a state-of-the-art facility in the Stewart's Shops Dake Family Esports Lab. Plans are being made for a March 2024 Invitiational Competition that will include teams from across New York State. 

Paul Smith's College instituted Esports in 2019, and the Empire State Winter Games followed suit that same year, hosting 32 college teams over a three-week period. Gaming is moving into the scholastic ranks at a rapid pace across the nation. 

To accentuate the remarkable rise of competitive gaming, the International Olympic Committee has recently announced the Olympic Esports Games and has reached out to Japanese officials to encourage the nation to host the event in 2026. 

"We have over 25 students competing on our Esports team here at PSC," stated Stephanie Tyski, Esports coach at PSC. "We look forward to working with area high schools in advancing their Esports initiative with the goal of hosting competition on our campus." 

"As the College of the Adirondacks, Paul Smith's is committed to providing access and exposure to college life for secondary school students – and athletics plays a significant role in that partnership," according to Zack Luzzi, PSC Director of Athletics. "Capitalizing on Esports growing global adoption and an economic impact estimated at $1 billion, the College is grateful to the Dake Family Foundation for its support of our athletes, and we could not be more pleased to support the exponential growth of high school Esports teams here in our own backyard." 

For more information please contact Paul Smith's Athletic Director, Zack Luzzi, zluzzi@paulsmiths.edu.  

At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.