CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April 21, 2025 — Stay Plugged In, a leading gaming organization focused on providing educational and career opportunities and Indiana Esports Network, Indiana’s only scholastic esports nonprofit led by Indiana educators, are collaborating on a multi-year partnership designed to enhance student engagement and advance student outcomes across the state.
This partnership aims to incorporate the expertise of Indiana Esports Network (IEN) with the Stay+ academic services and curriculum. Through this educational initiative, students gain access to academic roadmapping, STEM and esports competitions, increased visibility to colleges and universities, and connectivity to an emerging talent pipeline for local corporate partners. The program, led by Stay Plugged In, includes mentorship, career guidance, skill development, as well as collegiate and career opportunities.
“We are excited to partner with IEN and the schools in their network. As students continue to grow and engage in the gaming community, we are committed to being an end-to-end solution—supporting them in discovering collegiate and career opportunities. Our goal is to be a trusted resource that teachers, coaches, and students can rely on to find real, actionable solutions that lead to positive outcomes. We're proud to walk this path together with IEN, and fully committed to supporting the journey ahead." said Rick Suarez, managing director of Stay Plugged In.
Stay Plugged In will provide students in the Indiana Esports Network with free access to the leading recruitment platform, which has connected students to over $40 million dollars in scholarships since 2021. Included in this relationship will be access for coaches and schools to take advantage of our high school portal, merchandise, and free consultations around creating an impactful program with in-house infrastructure.
IEN’s mission is “To prepare students for the future through collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking through video games and esports.” and this partnership allows us to provide even more opportunities for Indiana students and schools. said Joe Wilhelm, Executive Director of IEN
The partnership kicks off on Saturday, April 26 at the IEN Finals hosted at Ball State University. To learn more, visit plus.staypluggedin.com
About Stay Plugged In
Stay Plugged In is dedicated to creating educational and career opportunities for high school students through esports, CTE, and STEM programs. Established in 2020, Stay Plugged In has been named the leading esports recruiting platform in the US for three consecutive years, generating more than $40 million in scholarship benefits for its student members. Stay Plugged In is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for students of all levels, enabling growth, learning and community through gaming.
Media Contact
Public Relations info@staypluggedin.com
About Indiana Esports Network
Indiana Esports Network (IEN) is a 100% volunteer-driven, educator-led organization. IEN is a collective of over 180 school districts across the state ranging in size, demographics, and socioeconomic populations all with the same goal: to use esports as a vehicle to engage students who aren’t involved in traditional athletics or afterschool activities, to increase academic performance/motivation, to create an inclusive community of students that fosters social growth, and to provide students with meaningful opportunities to develop 21st Century skills and career competencies in a novel way.
Media Contact
Public Relations info@indianaesportsnetwork.org