Stomp in the Swamp: From Tournament to Transformational Esports Experience
What started several years ago as a one-time online tournament has grown into one of Louisiana’s most impactful scholastic esports experiences.
By
Dec 31, 2025
Stomp in the Swamp, now a flagship event of the Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF), returned this year as part of the Esports Experience presented by LASEF, USAEL, and Insight, held during LACUE from December 9–11 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans.
More than a competition, Stomp in the Swamp showcased how scholastic esports is being used across Louisiana as a platform for education, workforce development, leadership, and belonging.
Esports as Education
The Esports Experience opened on Tuesday with a full day dedicated to learning, career exploration, and workforce readiness. Sessions began with computer science and coding workshops led by Benjamin O’Gradney, Chief Strategy Officer with Mastery Coding and USAEL, giving educators and students hands-on insight into how esports connects directly to technical skill development.
The focus continued in the next session led by LASEF Executive Director Jeffery Harrison, who emphasized that scholastic esports extends far beyond gameplay. His session highlighted esports as a vehicle for leadership development, technical confidence, and real-world experience that prepares students for college and career pathways.
The day wrapped up with a session led by Kathrin McGregor, spotlighting the growth of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) Esports Program. The presentation demonstrated how a structured, district-supported esports initiative can evolve into a sustainable, student-centered program, serving as a model for schools across the state.
Championship Day: Competition Takes the Stage
Wednesday marked the competitive heart of Stomp in the Swamp as 50 students, ranging from elementary through high school, arrived ready to compete for two new championship titles:
LASEF Stomp in the Swamp Mario Kart LACUE Championship, sponsored by AE Touch Technologies
LASEF Stomp in the Swamp Super Smash Bros. Ultimate LACUE Championship, sponsored by Camcor
Winning these titles meant more than lifting a trophy. Champions earned automatic qualification to the LASEF State Championship, the federation’s first official statewide championship event.
The Road to the LASEF State Championship
The LASEF State Championship will take place on April 25, 2026, live from the EBREL Arena. Students can qualify through multiple pathways, including:
Local league division champions from EBREL and SWLA
Top Louisiana finishers from the USAEL OPEN League
Winners of the Stomp in the Swamp championships
This multi-path approach ensures students from different regions and competition formats have opportunities to reach the state stage.
Mario Kart Championship Highlights
The Mario Kart finals delivered a standout moment of the day, featuring a matchup between two returning EBREL champions. Adam from Tara High School and Ocean from Westdale Middle School advanced to the final round, where Adam emerged victorious after a competitive series to claim the Stomp in the Swamp Mario Kart LACUE Championship.
Giving Coaches a Voice
Between championship matches, the event paused for a coaches panel that highlighted the real-world impact scholastic esports is having in classrooms and communities across Louisiana.
Coaches shared how esports has become a powerful tool for student engagement and inclusion. Several educators noted that students described the Esports Experience as “the best field trip ever,” emphasizing how hands-on exposure to esports technology helped students see clear connections between gaming, classroom learning, and real-world applications.
The panel also highlighted how esports is opening doors to opportunity. One coach shared the story of a senior student who, through dedication and self-driven effort, earned multiple scholarship opportunities connected to esports. Others reflected on how programs often begin with just a few students and grow steadily as awareness and interest increase illustrating how esports has evolved into something far bigger than gaming.
Belonging emerged as a consistent theme. Coaches described esports as a competitive space for students who may not have felt comfortable in traditional athletics, offering them a place to compete, contribute, and feel valued.
Leadership and skill development rounded out the discussion. Coaches highlighted middle school students leading teams and recruiting peers, along with high school students mentoring younger participants in areas such as shoutcasting and event production demonstrating a culture of students teaching students.
Students Share Their Esports Experience
Following the coaches panel, students took the stage to share what scholastic esports has meant to them personally and academically. Students representing Capitol Elementary, Sherwood Middle School, Woodlawn High School, and Northeast High School spoke candidly about how esports has shaped their school experience.
For many, esports represents collaboration across grade levels. Students described working alongside younger and older peers, strengthening problem-solving skills, teamwork, and confidence with technology. Others shared that esports gave them a space to express themselves and pursue their passions whether through gameplay, production, networking, or team leadership.
Career readiness was another key theme. Students explained that managing tournaments, multitasking during events, handling photography, and supporting logistics felt like real-world practice for future jobs. Skills such as reaction time, logic, organization, and communication were repeatedly highlighted as benefits that extend far beyond gaming.
Belonging and community resonated strongly throughout the panel. Students described esports teams as some of the most welcoming environments they had experienced, where early mornings spent setting up events and working together created a sense of purpose and connection.
When asked why every school should offer esports, students pointed to its ability to bring students together, highlight individual talents, and open doors to college and scholarship opportunities. They also emphasized how esports motivates students academically and socially, builds confidence, and strengthens communication skills.
One student leader reflected on how esports changed their perspective entirely teaching critical thinking, networking, and the importance of building communities that last beyond graduation. The message was clear: esports gives back exactly what you put into it.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Championship
The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate bracket featured 27 competitors, narrowing down to an intense best-of-five championship series between Colby from Tara High School and Kaeden from Woodlawn High School. In a dramatic final where players selected random characters each match, Kaeden secured the series 3–2, earning the 2025 LASEF Stomp in the Swamp LACUE Championship title.
Student Leadership Behind the Scenes
Beyond the matches, student leadership played a major role in making the event a success. John Beckman, EBREL Vice President of Marketing, documented the event and LACUE through photography. Kaeden, EBREL Vice President of Operations, led tournament operations alongside student leaders, while Isaiah, EBREL President, delivered remarks and supported shoutcasting with fellow ambassadors.
Their involvement underscored one of LASEF’s core values: students are not just participants they are leaders, creators, and builders within the esports ecosystem.
Full Event Video
Partners Who Made It Possible
LASEF extends sincere thanks to the partners who helped bring Stomp in the Swamp to life:
LACUE, for providing a space to showcase esports as a gateway to opportunity and belonging
USAEL, for contributing educational sessions and devices
Insight, for supporting logistics, furniture, and student hospitality
Camcor, sponsor of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Championship
AE Touch Technologies, a day-one partner whose support over the past five years has helped shape scholastic esports in Louisiana
Looking Ahead
With LACUE moving to Baton Rouge next year, plans are already underway to expand Stomp in the Swamp with more space, more activities, and even greater student participation.
As the event continues to evolve, Stomp in the Swamp stands as a reflection of how scholastic esports in Louisiana has grown from a single tournament into a statewide ecosystem centered on learning, leadership, and opportunity.
Jeffery Harrison
Executive Director - Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation
