Mar 3, 2021 2 min read

Hope you’re well! You may have heard some buzz by now around the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA) opening registration for their 2021 season for high school students across the state. Today, they announced the addition of members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly to the organization’s Board of Directors, including Washington County’s own Rep. Mike Puskaric.

Why does the PIEA matter? The nonprofit is working to position esports as a viable and credible high school program while educating school administrators, parents, and community leaders on the many positive benefits of esports. The organization is also dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all participating Pa. student-athletes.

The addition of the board of directors is a crucial step for the PIEA in gaining the awareness and support they require to make an impact. The PIEA also named notable people in the scholastic athletics, education, and esports space to the board — a full list is included in the release below my signature.

I am honored to join the board of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association! This is a great opportunity for school districts to expand their extra curricular activities for students, and do so in a way that has a positive impact on their science and technology learning.

“There is no ignoring the momentum of the esports industry, but it’s also crucial to understand the positive impact that esports can have on our local students, especially in the midst of a pandemic,” said Rep. Puskaric. “I’m honored to be working with the PIEA to help bring those possibilities to the students here in southwestern Pennsylvania and provide them with the many benefits that result from esports programming in an academic setting.”