Brookdale Community College Rocket League team competes against Georgian Court University.
The Garden State Esports League kicked off the 2024 fall season of their collegiate circuit on Oct. 16, transforming the Brookdale Esports arena into a bustling hub of excitement.
The atmosphere was electric as the Brookdale Rocket League and Super Smash teams dominated the arena, delivering a flawless performance against Georgian Court University and securing decisive wins across the board.
After the matches, we spoke to Garden State Esports founder Chris Aviles. He was very passionate and excited about the state of the league and how the event turned out. We asked him where this league originated from and how he felt being able to come out and host these events at a multitude of schools across the state.
“I founded Garden State Esports during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help kids stay connected. I invited teachers with gaming clubs like me to compete, and they invited people, who invited people, and GSE has since grown into the largest Esports league in the country.”
“I got into gaming because I loved Starcraft, then Starcraft II, then CSGO, then OW2,” Aviles said. “I’ve always loved traditional sports, but always grew up loving gaming. Coming out to a circuit always feels amazing. I’m excited so many kids get to continue to be part of Garden State Esports and what’s neat is a lot of our college kids have started programs at different schools that didn’t even have Esports just for the sole purpose of being part of GSE again.”
Brookdale Esports Broadcasters Jason Rockafellow and Landon Wood work on a production.
Right before the matches started, the Brookdale Esports casters got an interview with Brookdale’s Rocket League coach Brian Busse, who was unfazed by the shining spotlights of the collegiate circuit. He went on to state that the main things that mattered when it came to his game was for his players to not overthink, getting into the groove and not under committing to any decisions. The players resoundingly showed they listened to their coach in their matches against Georgian Court University.
In a best of five matchup on Rocket League, Brookdale won 3 to 0 against Georgian Court University in a stunning fashion. Out of the three rounds, they outscored the Lions 23 to 2.
Player Sebastian Vega scored 10 goals and 3 assists, while Vincent Serpico scored 8 goals and 8 assists. Pharell Williams scored 5 goals and 2 assists.
After the matchup, we got an interview with Vega, the leading scorer, who said he was unimpressed with the competition.
The Brookdale Esports production team monitors the broadcast during the matches.
“I have high expectations for us moving forward. I’m hoping we make it out of our group and get to play in Atlantic City, but I also hope it isn’t a breeze,” Vega said. “I want to play a close game or two and not steamroll every team we play. It’s also great being able to have faith in my teammates. They’re both insane, and that chemistry is something we’re still working on, so I’m really relieved that our practices are paying off.”
With the conclusion of the Rocket League matches, the Super Smash team came to play, and they picked up right where the Rocket League team left off. The Smash team smashed (no pun intended) through the Lions’ team and swept through every match they played. Players Ian Van Der Ende and John Scheri each won 3 to 0 in their best of five matchups. They all played especially well, with player Van Der Ende being pumped during an interview with a Brookdale broadcaster.
That’s far from all Brookdale has to offer, as they also swept Monmouth University 2-0 in their matches with them off stream for the collegiate circuit. Brookdale Esports will go on to advance to the second round of the Garden State Esports Collegiate Circuit on Nov. 13 at Georgian Court University.
Be sure to come out and support our Jersey Blues in their upcoming matches!
