The Fairfield High School Esports Club is looking to make new changes in the Fall

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (KYOU) - The Fairfield High School Esports Club is working to start a national award ceremony for high school esports teams.

Fairfield Iowa’s Walter Day, who is the founder of Twin Galaxies in Ottumwa, has created trading cards for the club to help make this possible.

Esports club General Manager, John Grunwald, says this is in an effort to bring tournaments to the area and recognize all state champions.

“Also to get some more recognition for Fairfield, for our esports club, and esports in general on a national level.”

The club started two years ago with about six students and has now grown to 30.

Grunwald says this is more than just video games, it provides educational benefits like creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

Club member, Jacob Carlson, whose favorite game to compete in is Smash Bros, says he likes that the club has provided him with friends to connect with that he normally wouldn’t otherwise.

It’s a really great way to meet new people and get a new group of friends. Most of the people in the club aren’t in my immediate group of friends but now that I’ve been in the group with them ill see them and talk to them.”

John Grunwald says he hopes esports opens doors and provides connections for students that might not have had any prior.

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