Clarke Community School District received a major upgrade to its esports program, thanks to an extraordinary donation from Stephen and Sheila Zager.
The Zagers recently donated a complete esports setup valued at more than $95,000 to Clarke Community School District. The donation includes gaming computers, monitors, gaming chairs, desks, peripherals, networking equipment, a competition stage, and other technology, giving Clarke students access to the equipment and resources needed to take the growing program to the next level.
The equipment was originally part of the Gladiator Lounge at Southeastern Community College, which Stephen Zager developed and built with the vision of creating a space where students could build friendships, develop teamwork and critical-thinking skills, and explore opportunities in collegiate esports.
When the Zagers decided to sell their investment in the college, they knew they wanted the equipment to continue serving students.
They found the perfect home at Clarke. “We remained convinced that esports has an important place in education,” the Zagers shared. “Esports teaches communication, leadership, collaboration, strategic thinking, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship; qualities that extend far beyond the gaming arena and into the classroom, the workplace, and life itself.”
For Clarke, the timing of the donation could not be more appreciated.
What started as a handful of students sharing space and bringing their own computers to school has grown into one of Clarke Community School District’s most unique and rapidly growing opportunities for students. The program now includes more than 40 gamers, has made multiple state tournament appearances, and has helped Clarke graduates earn collegiate esports scholarships and continue competing while pursuing higher education.
As technology continues to shape the way we learn, work, communicate, and connect, gaming and esports have grown right alongside it. Technology, artificial intelligence, gaming, and other emerging fields are creating new opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop skills that can prepare them for an ever-changing future.
Clarke Esports gives students the chance to be part of that future while still in high school. For some students, esports has become much more than an extracurricular activity. It is a place to build confidence, develop friendships, discover new interests, and find a community where they belong. It is also a unique opportunity that sets Clarke apart, providing a competitive experience that neighboring school districts do not offer in the same way.
The Zagers’ donation will help ensure that opportunity is accessible to every student who wants to be part of it. With the new equipment, Clarke can support its growing roster without requiring families to provide their own gaming technology.
“This donation is so much more than just added equipment to our amazing program; it is an investment in its future and growth,” Coach Shane Wagoner said. “We can now support over 40 gamers, host live competitions, and provide all equipment for every gamer so that no child is left with limited resources.”
For current Clarke esports athletes, the impact is already clear. “This is the greatest advancement to the program ever,” said Clarke esports student Blaze Schiltz. “Not only does this give us better equipment, but this also gives us the chance to grow the program even more.”
The impact also extends beyond the students currently competing. Clarke Esports alumni have watched the program grow from its earliest days, when simply finding enough equipment and space to practice was a challenge.
“When I was waking up at 6 a.m. so I could bring my own computer in to school to have a morning practice, I would never have expected the team to grow to the size it is now,” said Clarke graduate Montana Morgan. “The donation has provided countless new opportunities to the current and future students who choose to call the Clarke Esports Team their home.”
The Zagers understand that the equipment itself is only part of the equation. “Facilities and equipment are only tools; it is the people behind a program who inspire students and athletes, encourage excellence, and change lives,” they said.
That is what makes this donation so meaningful. The Zagers are not simply providing technology. They are investing in students, in opportunities, and in the future of a program that has already made a lasting impact on the Clarke community. They are also investing in the belief that students in a small school deserve access to innovative opportunities that can open doors to their futures.
The Zagers have dedicated this gift to the students of Clarke Community Schools, present and future, with the hope that they will continue to “learn, compete, grow, lead, and proudly represent their school and community with integrity, character, and excellence.”
Clarke Community School District extends its deepest gratitude to Stephen and Sheila Zager for their extraordinary generosity and, even more importantly, for believing in Clarke students and the possibilities that lie ahead for them.
