It is unusual for a sports program to begin a season with only one player, but that is the position Mount Carmel Esports program finds itself in this spring.

Esports is being led by new head coach Ms. Bridget McGarry, who is taking the program through a transition year with freshman Emmett Deering as the lone active player on the roster.

Although Esports has been part of MC in previous seasons, this year marks the first under Coach McGarry’s direction. Esports is currently competing in Madden during the spring season and practices after school on Wednesday in Room 004 in the school basement. She hopes to increase both participation and visibility moving forward. With her background in professional mobile Esports and her connection to the school, she believes this year is a chance to rebuild the program’s future.

“Mount Carmel is where my brother went,” Coach McGarry said. “My dad went here, my uncles went here. I’m happy to represent a school that my family was involved in.”

This connection is what motivated her to give back to the school in more ways than just leading a successful program.

Before coming to MC, Coach McGarry was involved in professional Esports management. She owned organizations that signed players competing internationally in mobile titles. Her responsibilities included organizing teams, handling contracts, and supporting players at high-level tournaments.

“I had professional Call of Duty Mobile, Brawl Stars, and [PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds] Mobile Esports teams,” she said.

Some of the players she has worked with have advanced to global competitions, giving her experience with structured competitive environments.

“I’ve had players in my own contracts that have won world titles,” she said.

While her background includes international competition, her focus at the high school level centers more on opportunity and development. She believes Esports can open doors for students who may not see traditional athletics as their primary path.

“You don’t need to be good at the game,” she said. “You don’t have to be the best. You have to show up.”

Coach McGarry also pointed out that Esports scholarships to college give students another opportunity to keep playing after high school. By building a structured program, she hopes MC students can take advantage of those opportunities.

While Coach McGarry focuses on building structure, Deering represents the current competitive side of the program. As the only active player this season, he competes individually while carrying the responsibility of representing MC.

“It’s stressful,” he said. “I’m limited to one game.”

Because many Esports competitions require multiple players, the small roster affects which titles MC can officially enter. At the moment, Madden is the primary focus, but Deering hopes the team expands so it can compete in more games. He believes increased participation would give students more opportunities and make practices feel more like a true team environment.

Even with a limited roster, Deering treats practice seriously. His routine mirrors structured athletic training, balancing skill development and live competition. That consistency helps him adjust strategies and improve decision-making during official matches. 

“So I spend an hour in the practice mode of the game,” he said. “Then I spend another hour playing games against real people.”

Although football remains his primary athletic goal for college and he has a time commitment being a manager for the hockey team, he recognizes that Esports requires focus and commitment. He sees it as something more organized than casual gaming, especially when representing the school.

In addition to competitions, Coach McGarry discussed the possibility of having a Twitch stream in the future, which the Esports program has had in previous years. Streaming matches would allow parents, students, and alumni to watch events. 

“Highlights are your casters, your analysts,” she said, referring to students who could broadcast matches and provide play-by-play and analysis.

Expanding into production roles could allow students interested in media or broadcasting to participate even if they are not competing directly.

For now, the program remains in a transition year under Coach McGarry’s leadership, and for students thinking about joining, Deering keeps it simple.

“Do it,” he said. “It’s super fun.”