The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Saline students form Gamers Outreach Foundation
Zach Wigal organizes three-day 'Halo 3' tournament at EMU
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
Consider Saline High School senior Zach Wigal a phoenix, able to rise from the ashes of disappointment and frustration to begin anew.
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Ten months ago, Wigal found himself in the center of a controversy after school officials abruptly canceled a video game tournament the then 17-year-old junior planned to hold at the high school.
School and law enforcement officials objected to the violent nature of the game Wigal had chosen for the tournament, the sci-fi first-person shooter game "Halo 2," which is rated "M" for mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for violence, blood and language.
Wigal was informed his tournament was canceled four days before it was to take place. He first considered taking legal action against the decision, but then he came up with a better idea.
He came up with a mission.
Wigal now wants to try to change the perception of video games as a corrosive and violent influence on teens.
"After having the event canceled, our eyes were opened to the fact that many misconceptions and negative stereotypes surround video games," Wigal said. "We decided to utilize games and other forms of interactive entertainment to both inspire and better the lives of as many individuals as possible."
From that notion was born the Gamers Outreach Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on raising money for charities through video game tournaments and other events.
The group's kickoff tournament, Gamers for Giving, is set Feb. 29 through March 2 at Eastern Michigan University's new student center.
Wigal aims to raise at least $7,500 for the Autism Society of Washtenaw County, the local chapter of the Autism Society of America.
"With this money we're going to be doing huge things," said Loreine Wynne, the autism society's vice president. "Among the things we're doing is bringing in Dennis Debbautt for an all-day training for first responders."
She was effusive in her praise for Wigal's vision and efforts.
"Zach is a wonderful and amazing young man who will make a difference in this world," she said.
Wigal expects the three-day tournament to bring in about 500 gamers. Sixty-four two-player teams will compete in the "Halo 3" tournament, but there also will be a PC LAN party, which allows personal computer users to sit down with other players in the same room and connect over a local area network.
He is working to find sponsors for the tournament and has signed on MetroPCS and BAWLS Guarana, an energy drink company.
The world's youngest pro-gamer, a 9-year-old known as "Lil Poison," who competes in the pro-gaming league Major League Gaming, has agreed to fly in from New York to be a part of the tournament.
Wigal has been flooded with support from gamers, promoters and video game companies from across the country.
The teen admits he is stunned - even overwhelmed — by the positive response he is receiving.
A year ago, he couldn't have imagined it.
"I look back on the year and you can't help but think it was all supposed to work out this way," he said. "When the tournament was canceled, we had this empty feeling like we hadn't accomplished what we wanted to accomplish. I suppose I'm just stubborn. The other thing, I think, is that we were mad."
Wigal has learned more over the course of this year than he can even verbalize about dealing with people, promoting events and "getting things done."
"I've never been so obsessed with anything before," he said. "I literally wake up every morning and the first thing I think of is what can I do today for Gamers for Giving."
Wigal has big plans for the Gamers Outreach Foundation. He would like to see the tournament grow into one of Michigan's premier gaming events.
"There's a lot of potential for this to grow," he said. "I think it will only get bigger and better."
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