MONTAGUE, Mich. — CatchMark Technologies has donated $2,500 to Montague Area Public Schools (MAPS) to help launch the district’s first-ever ESports team at Montague High School. The contribution will fund the startup phase of the program, providing essential gaming equipment and a foundation for a sustainable, competitive ESports initiative.
The new program, led by teacher and advisor Josh Geldersma, is designed to give students the opportunity to engage in structured, team-based gaming while developing collaboration, leadership, and digital citizenship skills. The Montague ESports team will compete in the Michigan High School ESports League (MHSEL) and MiHSEF, beginning with popular titles such as Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Mario Kart 8.
“We’re excited to help bring this opportunity to Montague students, and several of our teammates are even interested in helping build the gaming PCs. We see this as a partnership with the school, not just a donation. I’d like to fully fund the effort and will commit $2,500 to support it,” said Brent Raeth, Managing Partner at CatchMark Technologies.
According to the program plan, the initial phase will include a student-built gaming computer, a Nintendo Switch 2 console, controllers, and software for competition play. As student interest and participation grow, the program will expand to include additional PCs, new games, and possibly a dedicated space for practices and tournaments.
Geldersma said the response from students has already been enthusiastic.
“This program opens doors for students who may not participate in traditional athletics but thrive in strategic, collaborative environments,” he said. “We’re grateful to CatchMark for believing in our students and helping make this vision a reality.”
ESports: A Fast-Growing Field for Students
Over the past decade, ESports has evolved from a niche hobby into one of the fastest-growing areas of student engagement. High schools and colleges across the country have established organized teams that compete in popular multiplayer games, mirroring traditional athletics in structure and teamwork.
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, hundreds of schools now participate in sanctioned ESports leagues, with many offering scholarships and career pathways in game design, broadcasting, and technology. Beyond competition, educators emphasize that ESports promotes strategic thinking, communication, leadership, and STEM skills, making it a natural fit for modern education.
ESports: Montague’s Inclusive and Innovative Initiative
At Montague, the new ESports program aims to blend this growing movement with the district’s focus on student inclusion and innovation, giving every student a place to belong and excel.
The Montague ESports initiative will also emphasize student leadership. Roles such as team captains, equipment managers, and outreach leads will help ensure students take ownership of the program’s operations. Regular practices, scrimmages, and schoolwide events will promote teamwork, communication, and inclusion.
Program goals for the first year include competing in at least two official tournaments, establishing a presence in the state’s ESports community, and hosting a local showcase event to celebrate student achievements.
A Commitment to the community
CatchMark’s support continues the company’s longstanding commitment to education and community engagement. Guided by its mission to solve problems, help people, and be great teammates on better teams, CatchMark views the ESports partnership as a natural extension of its core values, investing in people, fostering teamwork, and using technology to create opportunities for growth.
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