The space was tight in the back area of the GameStart School classroom, but the gamers took their places like seasoned LAN veterans. The goal of the LAN-athon event: play games for 12 hours straight without stopping while raising pledges from friends and family in support of young Michigan creators. The proceeds from the event would help bring GameStart instructors out to the Stafford House to teach a series of programming and creative arts workshops, free of charge for local residents.
While the gamers carefully assembled and arranged their PC stations, classes were ongoing around the open floor plan that is the GameStart School interior. Lines of Python code and cartoon doodles adorned the walls – like caveman drawings, only with a more educational, if not nerdy, affection. Reminders of what the event was all about surrounded the students, in the form of smiling faces on the children attending their classes, eager to learn and play. The gamers appeared focused on what they were there to do. With three cases of Mountain Dew at the ready, a platter of Jimmy Johns on the way, and 5 donated Cottage Inn pizzas after that, our brave heroes embarked on their 12-hour challenge. The clock struck 2 p.m. and the LAN-athon was officially underway.
It’s important to note, however, that the success of this kind of event isn’t only measured by its fiscal outcome.
Organizing an event like this can be tricky. The success or failure of peer-to-peer fundraisers depend heavily on the cohesion of a community and the leaders at its helm. It’s important to note, however, that the success of this kind of event isn’t only measured by its fiscal outcome. Whether a participant was able to raise a dollar or not, the LAN-athon is also about raising awareness of the need for a new approach to education in our society: that learning and play isn’t a matter of either/or. Often the best form of education is when they are one and the same.
It also helps when the community organizers are naturally passionate in what they do, as is the case for the Eastern Michigan University students that make up the members and officers of the Eagle eSports club.
Lead by Conrad Silveri, Jonathan Gregoire, and JJ Lattea, the EMU team was able to raise more than $750 in donations for the cause, successfully funding a six-week course for Detroit residents. Other attending members included Garry Mundy, Tanner Payter, Marcus “Jay” Johnson, and Jesse McDonald. We owe these students our sincerest thanks and recognition for taking time out of their busy work and school schedules to make a difference through their shared passions in gaming.
