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The GFiber blog is your home for GFiber news and updates

In 2023, 2024, & 2025 Google Fiber was awarded #1 in Customer Satisfaction for Residential Wired Internet Service in the South Region. 3 years in a row!


When we talk about the future of GFiber internet, we often focus on the incredible engineering: the speed, the capacity, and the pure potential of light-speed connectivity. But for me, the real win is simpler: it’s the trust you place in us every day. That’s why I’m so energized to share that, for the third consecutive year, GFiber has been Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction for Residential Wired Internet Service in the South Region by the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Home Internet Provider Satisfaction Study. This isn't about a trophy; it demonstrates that the sustained focus our team puts on upending the historical status quo for service (from reliable service to ease of doing business) is making a tangible difference in your home and community.


At GFiber, our growth strategy has always been rooted in a core belief: fastest, most reliable service, honest all-in pricing, and transparent communication build lasting trust. This recognition is especially meaningful because the J.D. Power award is literally "The Voice of The Customer." We treat every piece of feedback that contributes to this ranking as clear direction on where we can do even better. When the data tells us we’ve successfully delivered high-quality service and built trust — as it has now for three years running — it recognizes the hard work of our teams (from field, engineering, network operations, product, to customer support and more) and pushes us to maintain, and even improve, that standard across every dimension of your experience. We earned your trust, but keeping it requires constant focus.


To every customer who has taken time to share their experience: Thank you. This three-peat isn’t a finish line, it’s a powerful motivator. Our commitment is to expand our reach while never compromising on the care and service that earned this recognition. Next-gen internet requires constant improvement, and you can only do that with candid, real-world insight. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We are already focused on the next step in leading your GFiber experience to new heights driven by continuing to deepen our understanding of our customers.









Posted by Melani Griffith, Chief Growth Officer

GFiber received the highest score in the South region of the J.D. Power 2023-2025 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Studies, which measures customers’ satisfaction of service with their current internet provider. Visit jdpower.com/awards for more details.



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When reliability meets affordability, small businesses thrive

An unexpected crisis struck Office Ours just three days after opening their Garner location. The co-working provider's internet went down for 36 hours, leaving their new tenants stranded without connectivity.

"Here we are, a day into the outage, and we still can't get anyone from our internet provider to tell us when it'll be fixed," recalls Ryan Rangel, Office Ours founder and president. "We had maybe 10 people who had just moved in and were paying us rent to provide them a good office environment. I called continuously for all 36 hours and for the whole outage no one could tell me when it would come back online."

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That moment made it clear: for small business owners, internet connectivity isn't just a service, it's the lifeline that keeps operations running smoothly. That lifeline needed to be stronger than ever to support 150+ businesses – ranging from massage therapists to counselors to IT startups – across four Raleigh-area locations and one in nearby Sanford, North Carolina.

Office Ours tried two different internet service providers before GFiber. Desiring more reliability, Ryan didn't hesitate to make the switch to GFiber once service was available in Raleigh. The switch brought immediate benefits that went far beyond speed to Office Ours’ four Raleigh-area locations. 


"Maybe with the exception of the birth of my kids, one of the greatest days of my life was when I called our previous provider and canceled all four accounts to sign up for GFiber," Ryan shares with a laugh.

GFiber was a game-changer from the very start, at installation. GFiber didn't just provide one connection per building; they installed individual ports for each office suite, creating all-new flexibility for tenants.

This infrastructure upgrade opened new possibilities for Office Ours' diverse tenant base. Previously, they lost a promising tech startup that needed robust upload speeds for nightly server backups, something their previous service couldn't handle with its limited 20 megabit per second upload capacity.

"Now, if a customer comes in and says they need two gig connections, I can just go into the GFiber portal and click a button," Ryan explains. "And if they want their own internet connection separate from our managed service, it's a turnkey, five-minute installation. No drilling walls, no all-day project."

This flexibility has become a powerful sales tool. "When I'm doing tours and I mention GFiber, people light up a little bit more," Office Ours vice president for sales and marketing Amy Brewer notes.

Beyond the technical capabilities, GFiber's monitoring and support system has impressed the Office Ours team.

"GFiber tells you you're down before you even notice it yourself," Ryan says. "Sometimes they'll have it fixed before you even notice it went down."

The reliability difference is stark. While their previous provider required monthly service calls across their five locations, Ryan can't remember the last time a GFiber technician needed to visit.

Supporting Small Business Growth

Office Ours serves approximately 90-plus businesses with physical offices and 150 total customers including virtual office clients. The company's growth ambitions are equally impressive. They're planning to start the process of doubling in size in 2026, with GFiber expected to be their first call for any new Wake County locations.

"The way any business scales is you have to have the same service at every location," Ryan explains. "Having GFiber as our constant across Wake County locations gives us that consistency."

What sets GFiber apart in the business market isn't just the technology, Ryan shares. It's the approach. While other fiber providers require long-term contracts, GFiber offers month-to-month service even for multi-location businesses like Office Ours.

"GFiber is the most reasonably priced, and you're the only one that doesn't make us sign contracts," he emphasizes. "We’re set up at four locations and don’t require more than month-to-month service."

The Bottom Line for Small Business
 For small business owners considering their connectivity options, Ryan’s advice is simple: "It's really about reliability. The moment we moved to GFiber, all those intermittent connectivity issues disappeared."

Office Ours' story demonstrates how the right internet infrastructure can impact not just day-to-day operations, it also supports long-term growth potential. By providing reliable, scalable connectivity without restrictive contracts, GFiber enables small businesses to focus on what they do best: serving their customers and growing their operations.

Posted by Michael Cole, GFiber Head of Sales, East Region.



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At United Way of the Greater Triangle, we believe in the power of people—especially the visionary leaders who are building the solutions their communities need most. That belief is at the heart of 10 to Watch, a program we launched in 2018 to identify, support, and amplify under-represented nonprofit leaders and the high-impact organizations they lead. 
 
In 2025, we’re proud to welcome the fourth cohort of 10 to Watch: ten dynamic, mission-driven leaders who are driving change family by family, neighborhood by neighborhood, community by community. These leaders aren’t waiting for permission or validation—they're doing the work. What they need is partnership, early-stage investment, access to resources, and an expanded network to help scale their vision. That’s what 10 to Watch provides. 

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And the results speak for themselves. 
 
Since the program began: 
  • Participating organizations have experienced an average of 243% revenue growth within five years of entering the cohort. 
  • Charitable contributions for these organizations increased by over $763,000 on average. 
  • 29 of the 30 alumni are still actively leading or working in the Triangle’s social sector. 
  • The leaders’ platforms have expanded nationally, appearing on CNN, Good Morning America, Forbes, and even on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Take Hope Renovations, for example—a 2021–2022 cohort member. Their dual mission of training underemployed women in the trades and repairing homes for seniors and individuals with disabilities saw a 439% increase in revenue over two years. That’s not just growth—that’s generational impact. 
 
This level of transformation is only possible through powerful partnerships. We’re especially grateful to Google Fiber, a continuous supporter of 10 to Watch from the beginning, and a recent contributor of $40,000 toward our 2025 cohort. Their investment doesn’t just support individual organizations, it helps build a more just, equitable Triangle for all. 

We created 10 to Watch because we saw a gap. Under-represented leaders were building incredible organizations but lacked access to traditional philanthropic pipelines. Eight years later, this initiative is not only closing that gap—it’s opening new doors. 

At United Way of the Greater Triangle, we see uplifting and galvanizing communities not as a responsibility, but as a necessity. We are proud to walk alongside these leaders and their communities as they chart a future rooted in justice, equity, and opportunity. 

This is more than a program. It’s a movement. And we’re just getting started. 


Posted by Crystal WIlson, Chief Outreach Officer, United Way of the Greater Triangle.
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GFiber is proud to support the work of AVANCE-Austin for the past five years, as they work to meet the basic needs of Austin families and go far beyond to help them thrive. Today, Stephanie De Leon, Senior Development and Communications Manager for AVANCE-Austin, shares how the organization provides holistic support, including tech skills and access, to their clients.

For close to 30 years, AVANCE-Austin has served under-resourced families through education classes and wrap-around support. AVANCE’s main programs — The Parent Child-Education Program and AVANCE to College — provide caregivers and their children, up to age four, with parenting and early childhood classes.

Along with providing educational curriculum, AVANCE-Austin assesses the basic needs of these families during monthly home visits. Basic needs support in areas such as food, healthcare, workforce development, childcare, transportation and technology. AVANCE Home Visitors connect families to over 40 community agencies and partner organizations within Travis County to help meet these needs.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, AVANCE-Austin families have reported an increased number of access barriers to education, healthcare and employment opportunities while lacking basic technology and digital skills. In 2020, 98% of families did not have home internet. Instead, they relied on their phones, which had limited data packages, to participate in AVANCE’s virtual programs. While phones are indispensable for staying connected, they fall short for more complex needs. Online classes, job applications, job training, and even the seemingly simple task of typing a resume are far from “phone-friendly.”

In a significant stride toward digital equity efforts, AVANCE-Austin has worked with GFiber, NTEN, Human IT and Digital UpLift to provide essential technology resources to under-resourced Travis County families. This collaboration aims to address the digital divide by offering Chromebooks, internet hotspots and comprehensive digital literacy training, ensuring families have the tools and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

From September 2024 to May 2025, AVANCE-Austin distributed over 350 technology devices, 25 hotspots, upskilled 10 staff members as Digital Navigators, and hosted basic digital literacy workshops to meet community needs.

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One recent AVANCE-Austin program graduate shared, “Having quick access to information and the opportunity to learn new software programs was really exciting. I didn't know anything about all the different search engines available, and being able to complete the work online was very beneficial. It was great to have access to email and stay connected throughout the program. For some, it may seem like just an ordinary laptop, but for others, it's a huge accomplishment, as many had never used one before. They didn't know how to operate it, so being able to learn all that was truly a blessing.”

As technology continues to evolve, AVANCE-Austin remains committed to growing partnerships with community-centered businesses like GFiber to create an inclusive digital ecosystem. AVANCE envisions a world where all children and families have equitable access to resources and opportunities to reach their fullest potential.

For more information on AVANCE-Austin's programs and initiatives, visit www.avanceaustin.org.

Posted by Stephanie De Leon, Sr. Development and Communications Manager at AVANCE-Austin



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In Huntsville, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology impacts over 400 learners in their summer STEM learning program. GFiber is proud to support local organizations that encourage the exploration and pursuit of careers in STEM and are helping their communities meet the challenges of tomorrow. VP of Educational Outreach, Kelly East, shares more about how this program builds enthusiasm and inspires.
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For a lot of us, summer brings to mind beach days, road trips, and a break from the usual routine. But at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, summer takes on a whole different energy. It’s a season of discovery, connection, and inspiration as we host hundreds of students and teachers on campus for learning opportunities. This is what we proudly call our Summer of STEM. GFiber, as our Presenting Sponsor, helps us make it all happen.

As Vice President of Educational Outreach at HudsonAlpha, I get a front-row seat to the excitement that unfolds on our campus every summer. Students light up as they extract DNA for the first time. Interns build confidence as they contribute to real-world research. Teachers discover new teaching methods that will impact thousands of students back home. This season reminds me why we do what we do, and why it matters so deeply.

What is the Summer of STEM?
Summer of STEM is HudsonAlpha’s flagship series of summer education programs designed to inspire curiosity and expand access to science. From middle schoolers just beginning to see themselves as scientists, to undergrads stepping into professional research environments, to educators growing their practice, the Summer of STEM offers something for every stage of a person’s STEM journey.
This summer, we’ve reached 332 students and 113 educators from 23 Alabama counties and 8 states across the U.S. Each person we welcome is a future innovator, researcher, or teacher who will shape the future of science and technology in our country.

Camps that spark curiosity
Our middle school summer camps and high school summer programs are where young scientists get a taste of what it feels like to do science. In our state-of-the-art teaching labs, students dive into hands-on experiments like DNA extractions, building bio-indicators, and even trying their hand at CRISPR gene editing.



We hosted nearly 200 campers this summer, and I’m always amazed at how excited and energetic our young learners are. These experiences are fun, but they also build confidence and encourage students to picture themselves working in science in college and beyond. Many middle school students find their time at HudsonAlpha so engaging that they often enroll in our high school summer camps, building on their STEM skills and confidence. 

Internships that launch careers
For undergraduate or graduate students who already have an idea of where they want their career to go, our BioTrain Internship Program provides real-world experience working alongside professionals in our research labs and business offices. For the last 17 years, our BioTrain program has been more than just a summer job for these students. It’s a launch pad. Interns leave with not only lab and life skills, but also mentors, expanded professional networks, and a clearer sense of where their passions might lead them. Dozens of past interns now work at HudsonAlpha in our research labs and offices, and many more have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, research, education, and science communication.

Professional development that grows classroom impact
Teachers are the backbone of developing the STEM workforce of tomorrow. That’s why our Summer of STEM also includes intensive workshops for middle and high school educators. This year, 113 teachers are participating in professional learning on HudsonAlpha’s campus, digging into the latest in genetics and genomics education.
These teachers return to their schools equipped with new lessons, hands-on materials, and excitement for the school year ahead. Collectively, they’ll impact thousands of students, a ripple effect we’re incredibly proud of.

Powered by Collaborators like GFiber
Summer at HudsonAlpha is busy, but it’s also one of the most meaningful times of the year for me and my team. It’s one of the times when our mission of Educational Outreach comes to life in the most visible way. Watching students discover their love for science or hearing a teacher say, “This is exactly what I needed,” is why we do this every day.

As a nonprofit, our Summer of STEM programs wouldn’t be possible without philanthropic support. We are deeply grateful to our 2025 Presenting Sponsor, GFiber. To us, GFiber’s support means more than just funding. It’s an investment in the next generation of scientists, problem solvers, and leaders.
I’m honored to thank our students, educators, interns, and our Presenting Sponsor, GFiber, for making this summer unforgettable.

Posted By Kelly East, VP for Educational Outreach, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology



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When Mattie Bush started Amelia’s Flower Truck out of a vintage flower truck in 2014, she had no idea it would become one of Nashville’s most well loved small businesses. What started as a single flower truck in 2014 has grown into a beloved local brand with multiple trucks, brick-and-mortar shops, and a loyal community of flower lovers and now the newest addition— a flower-forward cocktail bar called Pont-Neuf.

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Mattie describes her first flower truck as “a way to bring a little joy into people’s everyday routines.” Since then, Amelia’s has become a Nashville go-to for everything from casual messages to full-on event florals.

Now with Pont-Neuf, Mattie, with her husband and business partner Taylor,  is turning that joy into something even bigger — an experience.

“We eloped in Paris and had our rehearsal gathering at the oldest flower shop in the city,” she says. “Pont-Neuf was our way of bringing that feeling of magic and beauty back to Nashville.”

Every arrangement at Pont-Neuf is intentional, and the space hums with soft music, warm lighting, and seasonal bloom decor. “People walk in and say, ‘I didn’t even know I needed this vibe until right now.’ That’s the best compliment,” Mattie laughs.

So what does the internet have to do with flowers? Well, more than you might expect.


“Everything runs on it,” Mattie says. “Our POS system, the music, inventory—it’s all digital. And when we had spotty internet before, it created real stress. Would the payment go through? Would the vibe cut out?”

Now, with GFiber, the stress is gone. “We haven’t had to call support once. That kind of peace of mind is everything when you’re running a business with lots of moving parts.”

For small business owners, we know that "it works" isn't a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s why we built our internet to be fast and reliable. Whether you're serving craft cocktails under beautiful florals or running spreadsheets from your kitchen table, we’re here for it.


Nashville has creative, entrepreneurial people who hustle hard to do what they love and they are proud to show it. And we’re here to support that— not just with great internet, but with real community partnerships.


As we continue to grow across Nashville, we’re not just laying fiber—we’re planting seeds for something bigger.

If you’re a small business owner in Nashville, we’ve got you covered with internet that just works—so you can focus on doing what you love. Check out our offerings at https://fiber.google.com/business. 

Posted by: Brooke Shomaker, Sr. Brand Manager



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At GFiber, we’re determined to stay ahead of what’s next, especially when it has the potential to make our customers’ experience better. This year, we rolled out new lifestyle-based internet products to customers across the vast majority of our cities. And last week, we successfully demoed a new capability with Nokia that pushes the boundaries of possibility for the customer experience: network slicing.


So what is network slicing? 

TLDR: it gives us the ability to carve up a customer’s home network into different “lanes,” each optimized for a specific use. 

In our GFiber Labs demo, we used gaming as the test scenario. We ran two gaming consoles next to each other and injected congestion into the network with the lab’s traffic generator. Predictably, things fell apart: lag, stuttering, pixelation.* Then we carved out a dedicated lane (a “slice”) in the network that reserved bandwidth just for  gaming traffic. The result: the driving game demo went from jittery and glitchy to smooth and responsive. 

This was a foundational test. And it worked.

In the long-term, this could truly change how home internet works, especially when it’s driven by the customer. Today’s one-size-fits-all connections treat all traffic the same. But we know not everyone uses the internet the same way: gamers care about latency, remote workers need video stability, home businesses rely on solid uptime and security, and, we can see a future where applications (AI, VR, etc.) may require next-level performance. Network slicing could be how we level up network performance.  

Network slicing opens the door to something new: the ability for customers to tailor their connection to the categories of Internet use that matter most in their home. It’s not about prioritizing traffic behind the scenes, it’s about giving you more control, more flexibility, and more ways to get the performance you need, when you need it. And with GFiber, it will always be in service of giving customers more control, without compromising our commitment to an open, unrestricted internet.

There’s also potential for something called “transactional slices.” These would spin up automatically, just for a few seconds, to keep things like financial logins secure. For example, connecting you directly to a service like your bank without routing traffic across the broader internet. You wouldn’t even notice it happening, but it could add meaningful peace of mind.

Network slicing is the next logical step in how we think about GFiber service — especially our lifestyle products like Core, Home, and Edge, built to meet the needs of customers’ unique internet lifestyles. Those products are designed to better match the way people live and work. Network slicing takes that a step further: adding real-time customization and control at the network level.

While we’re very excited about the possibilities here, there are few things that have to happen before we roll out network slicing across our network. Automation is a key piece of the puzzle. We’ll be diving deeper with Nokia later this year to explore how we can bring some of these ideas to life. This kind of innovation is exactly what GFiber Labs was built for and we’re excited about potentially leveling up the GFiber customer experience — again.

Stay tuned.

Posted by Nick Saporito, Head of Product







*Want to see how GFiber delivers a seamless gaming experience? Check out real-world stories and pro tips in our gaming FAQ.
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Temperatures aren’t the only thing heating up in the desert right now — Google Fiber has a lot going on in the Grand Canyon State. This week, Tempe became the latest city in the East Valley to begin construction of our network. This announcement comes on the heels of announcing construction start in Queen Creek earlier this month, as well as serving our first customers in Chandler & Mesa, and opening our new GFiber office in Mesa in 2024. 

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With construction in Tempe underway, we’ll continue to work closely with the city and county to minimize disruption to residents. Tempe residents and business owners will have a choice of GFiber’s newest lifestyle product offerings, with up to 8 gigs available based on household needs. To stay in the loop of project updates and when service will be available in your neighborhood, sign up for the latest here. 


Councilmember Randy Keating, who has been part of Tempe’s effort to bring Google Fiber to the city since 2017, said “Google Fiber is a perfect match for Tempe, I am proud of the work that’s been accomplished to bring it to our community.”  

“High-speed internet access everywhere in our city ensures equal access to opportunities for everyone,” said Tempe Council Member Berdetta Hodge. “Google Fiber will make it possible for more people to benefit from technology. I can see how it will help everyone from students to our seniors. I’m so glad to have Google Fiber in our community.”

We’re grateful to the city leadership of Tempe, who has worked tirelessly to connect more Tempe residents to quality internet. We’re excited to be a part of that vision. 

That commitment to community and connections is why we support organizations that are focused on helping people get more out of the internet. Working with organizations such as Mesa and Maricopa Community College - College Promise and Mesa IDEA museum annual exhibits (“The Art of Light” last year and “Joyride” this upcoming calendar year) who are making an impact. We also supported Councilwoman Hodge's water drive in Tempe last summer, where 15,000 bottles of water were shared with Tempe residents. As we continue to grow in the Phoenix metro area, our collaborations will expand as well.


Last but definitely not least, our Arizona GFiber team is also growing, find more information on open positions and apply here. 

Posted by Will Novak, Government & Community Affairs Manager






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Google Fiber has always supported a broad range of school programs that foster Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills. As part of that commitment, we’re proud sponsors of the Westside High School Esports program with a grant that enables students to participate and compete. With the ongoing success of the program, Head Coach Chase Tonkinson and team member Robert Rasgorshek share the impact the program is making and how GFiber has helped make that possible.
 
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In March of 2020, as schools across the country shut down due to the pandemic, our students at Westside High School in Omaha, Neb., were sent home for the remainder of the semester.  
 
Administrators in the school district had previously considered starting an Esports program, and facing the uncertainty of what would happen the following year, leadership knew it was a perfect opportunity to launch the program. “Esports” (or Electronic Sports) is organized, competitive video gaming that operates similarly to other high school sports, with teams from other schools competing against one another. These sports are in an online format, allowing connectivity from basically anywhere.   
 


School officials believed that Esports would allow students to stay engaged in school activities, despite COVID-19 regulations that kept students off campus. The district, Westside Community Schools, put out a call for anyone interested in helping launch and coach the new program, and when I saw the alert, I immediately recognized this unique opportunity to help create a new avenue for students to learn and connect. Within the year, I stepped into the role of Westside High School’s first-ever Esports coach. 
 
After one year of planning, our WHS team began competing in the fall of 2021. We weren’t exactly sure what to expect, but we were blown away by the amount of student interest we received. Within 24 hours, we had more than 50 students responding to our interest form, and by the time we closed the registration period two weeks later, more than 70 students had responded. This was far more than we anticipated and more than our newly-opened Esports lab could accommodate. This high turnout translated into success. Within our first season, WHS won the state championship trophy for all three games we competed in. The following year, we found ourselves taking home both regional and national championship trophies.  
 

The success of our Esports program spans far beyond the tournaments we’ve won.  Our program has brought together students from varying backgrounds, interests and skill levels, including varsity athletes, Special Olympics athletes, as well as students in band, show choir and theater.  


Our teams have also been a home to a number of students who had never before participated in a school activity or sport. The program opened the door and provided a new way to develop teamwork and communication skills, and also to be a part of a tight-knit community on campus. 
 
One of those students is Robert “Bert” Rasgorshek, who found far more than just a pastime through Westside Esports. 
 
“Being a part of Westside High School's Esports team has been one of the biggest highlights of my high school experience,” Bert shared. “Whether I was grouping up to push with my teammates in Overwatch, lining up a clutch shot in Valorant, or going one-on-one in Smash, I realized how valuable new strategies, communication, and staying calm under pressure are. 
 
“My teammates and coaches accepted me for the person I was and encouraged me to grow as a player, a teammate, and a leader. It also gave me something to look forward to after each day at school— something that continues to motivate me to stay focused and improve so I can keep playing. I've become friends with people I might never have met, and formed supportive and long-lasting bonds through our shared love for the game and competition.
 
“Even when we lost together, we learned together, we supported each other, and we came back stronger. This team gave me confidence, direction, and a sense of belonging in a time when I didn’t know which extracurricular I wanted to pursue. These lessons and memories are the things that I want to carry with me long after I’ve graduated high school.”


Having a team sponsor like GFiber has been integral in keeping our program going. Computer and video game equipment can be quite costly, and the support from GFiber helps us maintain our equipment and supply students with the latest games. The sponsorship has also enabled us to travel to in-person tournaments where our players meet with college coaches— many of those same players have gone on to earn Esports scholarships to their respective colleges.  
 
I look forward to continued collaboration with GFiber and to the future success this generous support enables our students to experience, both in school and in competition.  

Posted by :
Chase Tonkinson 
Head Coach, Westside High School Esports 
Robert “Bert” Rasgorshek 
Westside High School Esports Team Member 




 
 
 

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