NE North Dakota News

An esports tournament hosted by the University of North Dakota brought together over 140 high school teams from across North Dakota. The event, held on March 28 in the Memorial Union Ballroom, is organized by Fenworks and includes competitions in games like VALORANT, Rocket League, and Mario Kart 8.

Collin Hanson, a senior community development planner of Grand Forks, served as co-emcee alongside Blue Weber at the 2025 Fenworks North Dakota Esports State Tournament. “Let’s hear it for Minot!” Hanson exclaimed during the event as teams were introduced.

Kaleb Dschaak, CEO of Fenworks and a former UND student government vice president, expressed enthusiasm about the participation of hundreds of students. Dschaak stated, “We are so excited to see hundreds of North Dakota students gathered together participating in an event that matters to them, that makes them feel like they belong, and that lets their family and their community cheer them on.”

Dschaak emphasized that esports provides students with skills that are relevant in STEM fields, including teamwork, leadership, and communication. He noted that the event encourages students interested in competitive gaming to explore technology further.

Jacob Thomas, an esports coach from Minot High School, commented on the benefits of the tournament for recruitment, particularly with videos of previous tournaments. Thomas remarked that esports helps prepare students for STEM careers through activities like building gaming equipment.

The tournament involved competition across various games and took place in multiple locations within the Ballroom and at the UND Varsity Esports facility. For many participants, the event also offered a chance to connect with others who share their passion for gaming. Grand Forks Central student Caleb Machart, attending his first tournament, described it as a great opportunity to make friends, saying, “I’ve been playing video games my entire life, and I’d like to see more people who play them.”