originally published: 12/29/2024
Photo by Stockton University
(GALLOWAY, NJ) -- The Stockton University esports team will compete for Garden State Esports (GSE) Collegiate Circuit titles after a dominating performance on December 10, 2024 at an in-person competition on campus.
The Ospreys’ Rocket League team defeated Camden County College and Rowan University, and the Super Smash Bros. team beat Camden County College and Atlantic Cape Community College. With the victories, both teams won the GSE South Conference and advanced to the Garden State Esports Collegiate Cup finals on Feb. 22 at ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City.
In Rocket League, Stockton will face Brookdale Community College, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Kean University, and in Super Smash Bros. the Ospreys will compete against Rutgers-New Brunswick, Brookdale and NJIT.
The Collegiate Circuit is the nation’s first face-to-face collegiate esports league, according to Garden State Esports, and is comprised of 16 schools divided into three conferences.
Sophomore Rocket League player Michael Parker loved the in-person experience of playing other schools in the esports lab and at Stockton’s Lodge at Lakeside.
“It’s nice being able to see other people and play against them when they are like 10 feet away from you,” said the Biology major from Hammonton. “That’s probably my favorite part about it all.”
Parker, who’s also part of Stockton’s Overwatch esports team, said he’s followed Stockton’s esports team since he was a sophomore at Hammonton High School when the university hosted a Rocket League event. The university’s Rocket League team has had international success — competing in the world championships twice and finishing second in 2022.
“I still have an original Stockton esports jersey,” he said. “I joined the team as soon as I got to Stockton as a freshman. It’s one of the best things I’ve done here.”
This year’s Rocket League team also includes Nicholas Edwards, Anthony Roselli, Kevin Smith and Howard Haughton. Hayden Seiberlich, Andres Arteaga, Jackson Busza, Daniel Digioia, Justin Ritter, Trevor Smith and Jacob Hughes comprise the Super Smash Bros. team.
From left, Justin Ritter, Jacob Hughes and Trevor Smith. Photo by Stockton University
Hughes didn’t really know much about the esports team before trying out in his first semester at Stockton last year.
“It’s made me have a lot of fun at college,” said the sophomore Business Administration major from Forked River. “There are so many cool things that come with it. The trips. The community. I’ve met so many people. We hang out all the time, and it’s just an amazing community to be a part of.”
In addition to the in-person competition, hosting the Garden State Esports Collegiate Circuit competition last week also allowed Stockton’s esports team to reach out to high school gamers through a virtual interactive watch party on Twitch.
During the party, Stockton’s team played game sessions with high schoolers and hosted a first-of-its-kind live, remote guest commentary, according to Demetrios Roubos, the manager of Stockton’s esports program. High schoolers were given the opportunity to join the Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. competitions and provide live commentary. Roubos said the esports team also presented a “Day in the Life of a Collegiate Esports Player” session to the high school students.
“It was exciting to see college students from four universities compete on our campus, while our Stockton Esports leadership team interacted with high school students in such a unique and engaging way,” Roubos said. “The addition of remote commentary from high school students was a first-of-its-kind experience that highlighted the bright future of esports. This event not only celebrated our competitive spirit but also reinforced Stockton’s role as an innovator in the esports community.”
Stockton University is ranked among the top public universities in the nation. Their nearly 9,000 students can choose to live and learn on the 1,600-acre wooded main campus in the Pinelands National Reserve in South Jersey and at their coastal residential campus just steps from the beach and Boardwalk in Atlantic City. The university offers more than 160 undergraduate and graduate programs.
You can have your events spotlighted here, whenever someone reads an article about GALLOWAY
click here for more information
EVENT PREVIEWS
RVCC presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion
(BRANCHBURG, NJ) -- Local audiences will have the opportunity to explore how physical science creates magic when the Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College presents Bill Blagg's Magic in Motion on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00am.
Victoria Clark, Norm Lewis, Tony Yazbeck, Rashidra Scott, and Lea DeLaria to Perform at George Street Playhouse Gala
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse (Christopher J. Bailey, Scott Goldman, and Laiona Michelle, Artistic Producing Triumvirate; Edgar Herrera, Executive Director) have announced the performers for their 2026 Gala Benefit, taking place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. The evening will begin with a champagne reception and dinner at Stage Left/Catherine Lombardi followed by a cabaret and awards presentation at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.
LIAR...LIAR - Live Storytelling with a Twist
(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- On the night of Thursday, May 8, 2026, four gifted storytellers will take the stage at the Invertas Brewing Company in Lambertville. Each will tell a personal, true-life story — or so they'll claim. The audience's job: figure out which one of them is lying.
Garden State Wine Growers Association presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution on May 30th
(TRENTON, NJ) -- The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) presents SIPS, STARS & STRIPES: A NJ Wine Revolution, an exciting and immersive wine event taking place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the historic War Memorial in Trenton. In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the NJ wine community is ready to celebrate America 250 at this truly historic moment.
State Theatre New Jersey's A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala to Take Place May 30th
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey (STNJ) invites the community to its signature fundraising event, A Night in Lights Annual Benefit Gala, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Christopher's Restaurant & Bar located inside The Heldrich Hotel. This highly anticipated evening directly supports STNJ's arts education and community engagement programs, which serve more than 30,000 children and families each year.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th
(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- GK Digital Ventures, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has announced the return of "The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit," set to take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Following its acclaimed inaugural edition, the second annual summit arrives at the most significant moment in U.S. soccer history: New Jersey is hosting eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the Final — placing the Garden State at the center of a global spotlight.
2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce that world-renowned bel canto soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and The Bacon Brothers, Michael and Kevin, are scheduled to perform at the 2026 Princeton Festival. At the core of the Festival, there is live opera with Festival veteran and current Met Opera star Toni Marie Palmertree returning to sing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. These major stars typify the quality of musical offerings to be found at this year's Festival which runs from June 5-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
MORE EVENTS
Click on the listing to bring up its webpage
George Street Playhouse presents "My Lord, What A Night"Sunday, May 03, 2026 @ 2:00pmNew Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ
Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza 2026 (Sensory-Friendly Performance)Sunday, May 03, 2026 @ 2:00pmUnion County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ
