School resource officer wants to create esports program for Newton schools

Newton Police Officer Kyle Lovan was touring his old high school on his day off when he was shown something that had never even existed when he was a student: an esports room. He saw a room full of high-tech computers, large TV screens and video game consoles. Immediately, he thought of Newton.

“It’s a gaming program through the school that kids go out for instead of your traditional sports,” Lovan said. “They can go out for esports and compete against other kids in other school districts … Newton doesn’t have one. I think I need to bring that to Newton. That’s how it got started.”

As the school resource officer at Newton Community School District for the past four years, Lovan regularly interacts with students of all campuses and grade levels, so he knows just how much the kids love video games. Which is why he thinks an esports club would be a good fit for the school district.

“I’ve got the OK from the high school and from (Superintendent) Tom Messinger,” Lovan said. “They’re onboard, so now it’s just trying to get the fundings.”

Currently, Lovan is trying to see if any local businesses or community members will invest in the program, which is in need of gaming equipment. Lovan said he wants to have 10 PC stations since many of the most popular and successful esports games are computer games and comprised of five-person teams.

Games like “Overwatch,” “League of Legends,” “Valorant,” “Rainbow Six: Siege” and “Smite” all have five-on-five game modes that Newton could compete in. Lovan said he also wants the club to have a couple Nintendo Switch game consoles to allow students to compete in games like “Mario Kart.”

Lovan is no stranger to starting up fun activities for Newton youth. In addition to the seminars and teambuilding exercises he regularly holds with students, he also started Cops and Bobbers. The annual fishing event is similar to Shop With a Cop in that it gives select kids a positive experience with local officers.

For Cops and Bobbers, kids get a chance to go fishing and enjoy a picnic at the Izaak Walton League pond. The event last year let kids go home with their own fishing pole and tackle box to continue fishing. It’s become such a big hit that other departments and schools want to join in.

If Lovan can secure the funds over the summer, there is a chance the club could be active as soon as the 2025-2026 school year. He expects there will be a varsity team and a junior varsity team. Lovan was relatively unfamiliar with esports, but he has learned the games can teach students strong values.

Since many of the games are team focused and require everyone to step up to achieve a victory, Lovan said the esports program can teach students good communication and develop a strong sense of teamwork. Esports can also build good leadership and problem solving skills and build character.

Lovan likes esports because of its inclusivity and its ability to introduce kids to extracurriculars, especially those who might not be interested in any of the other traditional activities in school. Esports has fall, winter and spring seasons, which allow for more opportunities and more individuals to compete.

“You don’t have to be fast, you don’t have to be strong — you just have to be good with your hands,” Lovan said. “It’s geared toward all students.”

Lovan said esports isn’t just about letting kids play games. If teams do well enough in certain games, they can go on to compete in state competitions and earn scholarships to play for college esports teams. Esports is growing in the state, too. In the 2023-2024 season, more than 130 high schools competed.

Colfax-Mingo and PCM even have their own esports clubs. Lovan said if other area schools have it then Newton should definitely get on board.

“We gotta have esports, too!” he said.

If anyone wants to donate to the esports club, Lovan said checks should be given to the administration center and made out specifically for the esports program. To learn more information about Lovan’s esports club pursuits, contact him via email at lovank@newton.k12.ia.us.