Empowering Students Through Esports: The GSE Story
We founded Garden State Esports (GSE) during the pandemic to help students stay connected and engaged through the challenges of remote learning. Seeing the positive impact on our players, we knew all New Jersey students deserved these opportunities so we turned GSE into a non-profit.
Our mission is simple: to create high-quality, student-centered experiences through scholastic esports so ALL students can use esports as a platform to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. We believe that esports is more than just gaming; it’s a way to teach essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and leadership.
Since its founding, GSE has become the largest scholastic esports league in the country. This growth is a testament to the demand for innovative educational opportunities and the transformative power of esports. We are proud to offer competitions and programming that are inclusive and accessible to all students, regardless of their background or skill level.
At GSE, we are committed to providing the resources and support needed to build sustainable esports programs in schools. This includes guidance for districts, professional development for educators, and learning opportunities for students that go beyond gaming. Our goal is to create a vibrant community where students can thrive in and out of the game.
Join us as we continue to empower students through esports, fostering the next generation of game-changing leaders.
Meet Our Team
Chris Aviles
Regina Schaffer
Jim McKowen
Mike Johnson
Traci Sellers
Doug Boersma
Deanna Baumert
Christine Wozniak
Kaitlynn Bunch
Marcus Patterson
John Demarco
Mike Seely
Beau "Protroid" LaManna
Ryan McGlennon
Alyssa Miller
Patricia Dennis
Dr. Matt Strobel
Steve Isaacs
Member, Board of Directors
Epic Games
Laurence Cocco
Member, Board of Directors
Patrice Maillet
Member, Board of Directors
Michael Kvidahl
Member, Board of Directors
NJ School Boards Association