Texas Scholastic Esports Federation

The Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TexSEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting esports as an inclusive and equitable tool for student development in Texas. It is recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization under the U.S. tax code, although its status might not be listed in the most recent IRS updates.

Mission and Objectives

TexSEF aims to make esports accessible, inclusive, and equitable, serving as a platform for Texas students to develop essential skills that enhance college, career, and military readiness. The organization emphasizes the benefits of esports in fostering teamwork, leadership, and academic engagement, similar to traditional extracurricular activities.

Structure and Leadership

• Teacher-Run: TexSEF is uniquely run by educators, ensuring a focus on educational needs rather than commercial interests.
• Nonprofit Status: As a nonprofit, TexSEF prioritizes its stakeholders—students and educators—over profit.
• Local Focus: The organization organizes local tournaments, conferences, and college fairs, providing opportunities for students to engage in esports competitions within Texas.

The leadership includes Danielle Johnson as Executive Director, Rick Allen as Competition Director, and other educators involved in curriculum development and advocacy roles.

Activities and Initiatives

• Competitions and Events: TexSEF hosts online leagues and in-person tournaments across Texas, offering diverse gaming experiences.
• Curriculum Development: They are involved in developing esports-related curricula to educate students about the industry and potential career paths.
• Advocacy: TexSEF advocates for the integration of esports into educational settings, countering misconceptions about gaming and promoting its educational benefits.

Challenges

Key challenges include overcoming societal views that gaming is non-beneficial, securing buy-in from educators and administrators, and managing the financial and logistical demands of organizing events without pricing out participants.

Impact and Growth

TexSEF's efforts have contributed to the expansion of scholastic esports in Texas, fostering growth across school districts and promoting digital literacy and teamwork among students. Despite operational challenges, the organization remains committed to providing accessible esports opportunities for Texas students.

[1] https://www.texsef.org/about [2] https://www.texsef.org [3] https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/844548528 [4] https://sportslitigationalert.com/gaming-director-at-scholastic-esports-federation-discusses-texas-progressive-approach-to-esports/ [5] https://esc13.net/services/scholastic-esports