Sierra Canyon School Celebrates the Branca Center for Technology and Esports

This state-of-the-art media center is the home of Sierra Canyon’s Esports Team, which is officially part of the High School Esports League (HSEL), as well as student-driven publications, such as The Standard and The Rambler. John G. Branca, parent of John Branca IV, Class of 2021, made a generous donation to create a cutting-edge space that allows Sierra Canyon students the opportunity to thrive in the emerging world of competitive gaming.

 

“The world of esports has changed the landscape of traditional athletics and offered young adults a new way to use strategic thinking and leadership. I wanted to see the world of competitive gaming come to life at Sierra Canyon School,” said John, Sr.

 

Head of School Jim Skrumbis is grateful to the Branca Family for bringing their vision to Sierra Canyon. “We are excited to have the support of John Branca and the Branca Family on this space. Sierra Canyon is proud of its entrepreneurial spirit and the opportunity to have a thriving esports team greatly benefits the school,” said Skrumbis.

 

Branca IV is the founder and captain of the esports team and has led the group through a tremendous first year, including his fantastic 1st place Fortnite finish out of 131 players. Branca took on this immense role in his first year at Sierra Canyon, all while maintaining a 4.52 GPA.

 

The Branca Center for Technology and Esports, crafted through the vision of Branca IV, features state-of-the-art equipment, including best-in-class peripherals--like HyperX Alloy Elite RGB Keyboard, HyperX Pulsefire Surge Mouse, HyperX Cloud Alpha Headset, and HyperX Fury S Mousepad– sponsored by HyperX, the official gaming peripherals sponsor of the Branca Center for Technology and Esports and the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, Inc. These peripherals aid the team in achieving optimal gaming performance. “Gaming is for everyone and we’re excited to be a part of a great gaming facility for all students of Sierra Canyon looking to build their skills and compete in esports,” said Wendy Lecot, Head of HyperX Strategic Alliances.

Over the summer of 2018, Branca IV worked with members of the Sierra Canyon administration to create a space which would accommodate a new SC Esports Team. Putting together a space where a program like this could thrive was no easy task. According to Branca IV, “Everything had to be designed from scratch, however the collaboration with the administration was very free-flowing, and “super easy” from the beginning.”

 

 

John G. Branca is a partner at the prominent entertainment law firm Ziffren Brittenham LLP where his clients have included more than 30 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – among them Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, the Doors, Dr. Dre, Earth, Wind and Fire, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, John Fogerty, Don Henley, Elton John, the estate of Otis Redding, the estate of Elvis Presley and the Rolling Stones – sports figures such as Mike Tyson, the comedians Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy and the Vatican, independent record labels such as Interscope Records and Rhino Records and industry investors such as JVC, Matsushita and Vivendi. Branca is a co-executor of the Michael Jackson estate.