Brookdale Community College Unveils Esports Arena

On Oct 16, 2023

Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, has opened a state-of-the-art Esports Arena, jumping into the world of competitive video gaming that promises to be a game-changer for both students and the Monmouth County community. The arena is open to the public Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. and is located in the first floor of the Student Life Center (SLC) on campus.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their unwavering vision and steadfast support of esports at Brookdale Community College,” said President David M. Stout, Ph.D. “The Brookdale Esports Arena is not merely a facility; it is a thriving hub of innovation, competition, and camaraderie. As our college continues to invest in this exciting venture, we are confident that it will serve as a catalyst, nurturing an environment where our students can truly excel, collaborate, and reach their fullest potential.”

The Esports Arena at Brookdale Community College is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including 26 professional-grade PCs, with six on an ADA-compliant competition stage. The arena features a broadcast booth for casters, a team meeting and strategy room, a console lounge area with big-screen TVs for gaming enthusiasts to relax and watch professional events, audio-video systems, and lighting equipment. The competition stage is the epicenter of esports action, complemented by a 20-foot by eight-foot LED video wall displaying thrilling gameplay.

The arena’s director, Chirs Boehmer, commented, “Seeing the look of excitement on every person’s face as they have walked through those doors in the past two weeks has been truly humbling. A lot of passion, planning, and hard work has gone into making the Brookdale Esports Arena a place where students can thrive while doing something they love, where no one is excluded or feels isolated.”

As part of the venture, Brookdale Community College will field varsity esports teams to represent the institution in intercollegiate competitions within the NJCAAE (New Jersey Collegiate Athletic Association Esports). Tryouts for these teams concluded last week, attracting over 60 participants who were narrowed down to 19 exceptional players across three game titles. These students must meet specific credit requirements and maintain a minimum GPA to maintain their eligibility status.

The arena also provides opportunities for students interested in the production side of esports. They can gain hands-on experience mixing game footage, managing cameras, and handling audio for professional-quality broadcasts. These live broadcasts will be streamed on popular platforms like Twitch.tv and YouTube, ensuring a wide audience for the college’s esports endeavors.

Brookdale aims to collaborate with existing academic programs that can benefit from Esports Arena’s high-end computing and broadcast technology. Departments like Graphic Design, Game Design, Communications Media, and Computer Science will have opportunities to enrich their curricula through esports.

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