New Voices, Big Wins, and a Glimpse of the Future: Inside the 2025 EBREL Esports Jamboree

Baton Rouge, LA — If you walked into the EBREL Esports Arena on Saturday, September 13th, you didn’t just see kids playing video games — you saw the future of Louisiana esports. The annual EBREL Esports Jamboree brought students, schools, and even a university program under one roof, kicking off the season with both competition and community.

The day featured four titles that have become staples of scholastic esports: Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, Mario Kart, and Marvel Rivals. Players from across the region jumped in, some for their first taste of competitive gaming in a live setting, others returning veterans eager to show what they’d learned. The matches were loud, fast, and full of energy, and the crowd fed off every moment.

But the jamboree was about more than wins and losses. This year, the EBREL Student Ambassador Program shined in new ways. Two new middle school students — Ocean from Westdale Middle School, the reigning Middle School Mario Kart Champion, and Madison from Sherwood Middle School — joined the broadcast team for the first time. Their voices carried through the arena as they called plays and built excitement, showing a natural knack for shoutcasting. They weren’t alone — the high school shoutcasters guided them every step of the way, showing them the ropes and stepping into the role of teachers. By the end of the day, Ocean and Madison sounded like seasoned pros, proving exactly why the ambassador program matters: it builds leaders by letting students teach students. And the ambassadors weren’t just on the mic. They were everywhere — running tournaments, managing the audio systems, keeping the live stream going, and making sure the broadcast desk stayed sharp. The jamboree wasn’t just student-led, it was student-powered.

Another highlight came when the University of Louisiana at Lafayette showed up not just to recruit, but to compete. They set up a table to share information about scholarships and collegiate opportunities, but also jumped into matches. Their Rocket League squad showed off their skills and picked up a win, giving younger players a glimpse of what college-level play looks like. But when they faced Woodlawn High School in Marvel Rivals, the high schoolers rose to the occasion and pulled off an upset that had the crowd roaring. It was more than a match — it was a symbolic moment that showcased how Louisiana’s scholastic programs are quickly catching up to the collegiate scene.

As much fun as the jamboree was, it was also a preview. The event set the tone for the season ahead, with the official EBREL schedule beginning October 4th. From that point on, every win will matter, with teams battling for spots in the EBREL Championship and ultimately the LASEF Louisiana State Championship.

What stood out most, though, was the spirit of the event. It wasn’t just students playing games. It was families in the crowd cheering, rival schools shaking hands after matches, and older students stepping up to guide the younger ones. It was college players mingling with high schoolers, showing them where esports can lead. It was proof that esports in Louisiana is no longer just an extracurricular — it’s a pathway to the future.

The 2025 EBREL Jamboree wasn’t simply a one-day showcase. It was a reminder of why these programs exist: to give students a place to belong, a chance to shine, and an opportunity to turn their passion into purpose. And if this event was any indication, the season ahead promises to be bigger, louder, and more inspiring than ever.

Jeffery Harrison -Executive Director of LASEF

Photos by John Beckman - VP of Marketing EBREL