Jeffery Harrison leads Louisiana’s esports initiative, fostering teamwork, career pathways, and innovation for students across the state.
When you meet Jeffery Harrison, his energy is unmistakable. A mix of educator, technologist, and visionary, Harrison serves as the Director of Network Operations for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System and is also the Director and Founder of the East Baton Rouge Esports League (EBREL). He is the driving force behind the Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF), an initiative that has transformed how Louisiana students see gaming, learning, and leadership.
Across the state, students are discovering that esports isn’t just about competition, it’s about communication, teamwork, and real-world career pathways. And at the center of that movement stands Harrison, whose mission is simple: Play. Learn. Lead.
From Controller to Classroom
“I believe that gaming can be more than just entertainment,” says Jeffery Harrison, reflecting on what first inspired his journey into scholastic esports. For him, gaming was never just about competition or high scores, it was about the teamwork, communication, and creativity that naturally emerge when students play with purpose.
What began as a small district program in East Baton Rouge has exploded into a statewide network that includes elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as libraries, homeschool programs, and colleges. Today, LASEF partners with organizations like USAEL, NASEF, and the Esports Trade Association, connecting Louisiana students to a national community of scholastic esports.
Building a Statewide Esports Ecosystem
Harrison’s background in network technology gives him a unique advantage. While many esports programs focus on gameplay alone, he has built an entire ecosystem that mirrors the professional world, from broadcasting and production to IT management and event logistics.
“Students aren’t just playing Rocket League or Mario Kart,” he explains. “They’re running the livestreams, setting up the network, designing graphics, even managing the events. It’s real-world experience before graduation.”
That forward-thinking approach extends into classroom innovation, too. One of Harrison’s favorite examples is the Arcade Cabinet Project, a hands-on collaboration between CAD, carpentry, electronics, and digital media classes. Students design and build custom arcade machines from the ground up: CAD students create the blueprints, carpentry builds the structure, electronics installs the hardware, and digital media designs the artwork and wraps. “It’s a perfect example of how esports can tie multiple disciplines together,” Harrison says. “They’re not just learning to play, they’re learning to create, troubleshoot, and innovate.”
That mindset has turned Louisiana into one of the most forward-thinking states in scholastic esports. Events like ‘Stomp in the Swamp’, the EBREL Kickoff, and the new LASEF State Championship starting this year draw hundreds of students and spectators, complete with live commentary, trophies, championship belts, and broadcast crews run by students themselves.
Esports as Workforce Development
To Harrison, esports isn’t just extracurricular, it’s career education.
“When a student realizes they can take their love of gaming and turn it into a career in technology, broadcasting, marketing, or event production, that’s when it clicks,” he says. “We’re not just building gamers. We’re building the next generation of IT professionals, content creators, and leaders.”
This philosophy is reflected in the EBRPSS Esports Program, which is now growing into the LASEF Ambassador Program, a student-led initiative that trains participants in public speaking, social media marketing, and leadership roles. “We want them to see themselves as ambassadors for esports, for their schools, and for Louisiana,” Harrison notes.
Power in Partnership: USAEL and LASEF
A major part of LASEF’s success comes from its partnership with the United States Academic Esports League (USAEL), a national platform dedicated to integrating esports into education. Through USAEL, Louisiana schools gain access to a robust competitive framework, academic resources, and nationwide events that align gaming with learning outcomes.
“USAEL gives us structure and scalability,” Harrison explains. “It allows Louisiana students to compete on a national stage while still keeping education at the core. Their platform supports our schools with scheduling, match management, and curriculum that connects gameplay to digital citizenship and career skills.”
The partnership also provides students and educators access to cutting-edge learning tools, leadership opportunities, and national competitions that prepare them for the growing digital economy. “We’re part of something bigger,” says Harrison. “LASEF is showing that Louisiana belongs in the national conversation when it comes to innovation in education and esports.”
Building Louisiana’s Esports Industry: The ESTA Louisiana Chapter
Beyond the classroom, Harrison is helping shape the future of Louisiana’s esports and gaming economy through his work with the Esports Trade Association (ESTA) and the newly formed ESTA Louisiana Chapter.
“The Louisiana Chapter gives us a seat at the national table,” Harrison says. “It’s about connecting schools, businesses, and communities so that esports isn’t just seen as a game, it’s recognized as a growing industry that brings jobs, investment, and innovation to our state.”
Through ESTA, Harrison and local partners are developing pathways for industry networking, sponsorship opportunities, workforce development, and statewide events that bridge scholastic esports with professional opportunities. “What we’re doing through ESTA complements everything happening in LASEF,” he explains. “We’re building a full ecosystem, from students learning the skills to local industries hiring them.”
Community and Collaboration
Under Harrison’s leadership, LASEF has forged partnerships with local universities, tech companies, and educators across the state. From UL Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns Esports to Lockstep Technology Group, AE Touch Technologies, Cybernut, Palo Alto Networks, Extreme Networks, LACUE, and even local eateries like Cork’s Seafood, collaboration is the key to sustainability.
“Louisiana has some of the most passionate educators,” he says. “They understand that esports is a bridge, it brings students who might not join traditional sports into something that builds confidence, teamwork, and community.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season is already underway, and Harrison’s team is continuing to expand, from statewide online leagues to college showcases that give students exposure to recruiters and industry professionals.
But esports is just the beginning. Harrison envisions the next phase of LASEF as a launchpad for emerging technologies and innovation. “We’re expanding beyond esports to bridge into areas like Drone Racing, VR/AR technologies, including AR Dodgeball and dance competitions, and computer build competitions that function like our own version of Shark Tank,” he explains. “The idea is to keep pushing creativity and entrepreneurship, letting students apply their skills in ways that prepare them for the industries of the future.”
His dream? A fully connected Louisiana Esports Pathway, where a student can start in elementary school and grow into a college-level competitor or industry-ready professional without leaving the state.
“Esports is the language this generation speaks,” he says with a smile. “If we listen, guide, and empower them, they’ll show us just how powerful that language can be.”
About Jeffery Harrison
- Director of Network Operations, East Baton Rouge Parish School System
- Director and Founder, East Baton Rouge Esports League (EBREL)
- Executive Director, Louisiana Scholastic Esports Federation (LASEF)
- Affiliations: USAEL, NASEF, Esports Trade Association (ESTA Louisiana Chapter), LACUE
- Focus: Scholastic Esports, STEM/STEAM Education, Career Pathways, Network & IT Management, Student Leadership Development
Visit LASEFUP.org or follow the organization on social media at @LASEFUP on Facebook and @lasefupesports on Instagram.
