Twin Falls High School made history Monday when senior Kyler Auth held a signing ceremony in the S Building at TFHS, officially committing to join the inaugural esports team at the College of Southern Idaho on a scholarship. The ceremony, held May 11, marked the first time a Twin Falls High esports student-athlete has advanced to a post-secondary program through competitive gaming.
Auth’s teammates on the Bruins esports squad were present for the occasion — a surprise to him, as he had not told them to attend. “I’m glad to be supported, for sure, especially by my team,” Auth said. “I wasn’t sure if they were going to be here today; I didn’t tell them to show up.”
Auth, a four-year member of the Twin Falls High esports program, will compete at CSI under coach Sebastian Talamantes, who leads the college’s new program. His primary game is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where his main character is Falco, though he has demonstrated enough versatility to compete across the full character roster. His performances at national Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournaments drew Talamantes’ attention, with the coach specifically recruiting Auth as one of the program’s foundational players.
A Program Built From the Ground Up
The Twin Falls High esports program was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the school received grant funding to purchase the hardware and software needed to field a competitive team. The investment paid off quickly — within its first year, the program captured a high school state championship, confirming that the effort was more than an experiment.
Now, roughly half a decade after that founding moment, esports continues to grow as a legitimate pathway for students across the Magic Valley. Auth’s signing represents a natural next step in that progression: a local student earning a scholarship at a local institution to compete in a sport that didn’t exist in scholastic settings just a few years ago.
For Auth, being a four-year participant carries weight beyond personal achievement. Many of his current teammates are underclassmen who have not yet had the same opportunities. He sees his path forward as a model for what the program can produce — and intends to stay connected to it. “Hopefully, I am able to accomplish getting my Associate’s degree and building the program even further,” Auth said, “and even when I’m not in college, helping the program here next year.”
Looking Ahead at CSI
Auth’s signing is notable not just for Twin Falls High, but for CSI as well. He joins the college’s program at its launch, meaning he and his fellow incoming competitors will shape the identity and culture of a brand-new athletic organization. That kind of foundational role — rare for any incoming student-athlete — is something Auth acknowledged with a sense of responsibility.
“Esports is kind of a new thing, especially at CSI,” Auth said. “Being a Bruin often has good connotations around here.”
The ceremony included Auth’s parents, Danny and Molly Auth, with his mother sharing an embrace with her son as the signing was commemorated. The moment reflected something increasingly common in Magic Valley athletics: a formal recognition that competitive gaming carries the same milestone weight as a traditional sport signing.
Auth’s final days as a Twin Falls High Bruin come to a close this week, but the program he helped build — and the standard he set as its first scholarship signee — will remain. For students currently competing on the TFHS esports team, his path to CSI offers a concrete example of where dedication to competitive gaming can lead.
Twin Falls High has also seen student-athletes achieve recognition in more traditional competitive arenas this spring. Five-A District IV track and field competitors recently wrapped up regional action, with 75 athletes advancing to the state meet. Meanwhile, students across the region looking at post-secondary options can explore programs like the free summer college course TVCC is offering to 2026 high school graduates.
What Comes Next
Auth will begin his studies and esports competition at the College of Southern Idaho in the fall. CSI’s inaugural esports team is expected to compete against other college programs under Talamantes’ coaching. The Twin Falls High esports program, now with a demonstrated track record of producing scholarship-level talent, will continue under the leadership of its current roster as it looks toward future seasons.