News
Georgia Southern Eagle Esports Player Shines at MomoCon 2025 Smash Ultimate Tournament
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2025
Statesboro, GA — Georgia Southern University proudly celebrates the outstanding performance of Eagle Esports player Antonio Polk, known in the competitive gaming world as “aj_waves,” at this year’s MomoCon 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Competing in one of the largest and most competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Singles Tournaments of the year, Polk placed 49th out of 450 participants — a remarkable achievement at an A-rank major event.
MomoCon, a premier fan convention that draws thousands of gamers, cosplayers, and enthusiasts from around the globe, hosted a fiercely competitive Smash Ultimate tournament this year. With world-renowned professionals in attendance — players known for dominating the global circuit and mastering their characters at the highest level — the event was nothing short of elite.
Among this intense field of talent, aj_waves stood out. AJ who is a member of Georgia Southern’s Eagle Esports Smash Team played with pride, skill, and determination. His top-50 finish placed him alongside some of the most respected names in the Smash community and demonstrated the caliber of talent within the university’s Eagle Esports program.
“Antonio’s performance at MomoCon showcases not only his dedication to his craft, but also the strength of Georgia Southern’s growing presence in the competitive esports scene,” said Andrew Mosley, Manager of the Virtual Collaboration Center, home to Eagle Esports Team. “To place 49th at an A-rank major against top-tier talent is a huge accomplishment, and we’re incredibly proud of him.”
Georgia Southern students attended MomoCon 2025 not only to compete but also to network, spectate, and immerse themselves in the vibrant gaming culture. The university’s commitment to fostering esports excellence continues to grow through events like these.
For more updates on Eagles Esports, follow us on social media @GS_EagleEsports.
Contact
Eagle Esports
Georgia Southern University
Discord: https://discord.gg/DumhD7Us
Email: gseagleesports@gmail.com
Website: www.georgiasouthern.edu/vcc
Georgia Southern Eagles Esports Shines at Georgia Tech’s GameFest 2025
STATESBORO, Ga. — April 24, 2025 — The Georgia Southern University Eagles Esports team made a powerful impression this past weekend as they traveled to Atlanta to compete in GameFest 2025, hosted by Georgia Tech. The event brought together top collegiate esports talent from across the Southeast, and the Eagles proved they were more than ready for the challenge.
Eagles Esports proudly collaborated with Georgia Tech throughout the event, fostering a strong sense of community and sportsmanship. Several Georgia Southern players delivered standout performances in high-level tournaments, bringing recognition to the program and showcasing the depth of talent within the team.
Among the highlights:
- Tyler Fralick secured 2nd place in the Street Fighter 6 tournament, dominating his bracket with precision and poise.
- Gabe Jackson and Antoine “A.J.” Polk fought through fierce competition in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, both reaching the Top 4, with A.J. clinching 2nd place overall.
“GameFest 2025 was an incredible opportunity to connect with other collegiate programs and grow the esports community across the state,” said Chase Bonistall, Smash Bro. Coach. “Our players were able to learn and grow by playing other high tier players but also networked and form friendships while representing Georgia Southern with pride.”
GameFest served as a hub for learning, sharing, and building lasting relationships with fellow esports enthusiasts and professionals. The Eagles look forward to continuing to grow through events like these, building momentum and camaraderie for future competitions.
For more updates on Eagles Esports, follow us on social media @GS_EagleEsports.
Contact
Eagle Esports
Georgia Southern University
Discord: https://discord.gg/DumhD7Us
Email: gseagleesports@gmail.com
Website: www.georgiasouthern.edu/vcc
Georgia Southern’s Virtual Collaboration Center Hosts Community Day for the Public
Statesboro, GA – April 11, 2025 – The Virtual Collaboration Center at Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro Campus is excited to announce its upcoming Community Day, taking place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, beginning at 3:00 PM. Open to families, students, and gaming enthusiasts of all ages, this event is designed to foster community connections and highlight the growing opportunities in gaming, esports, and digital learning.
The Community Day will offer an exciting lineup of interactive activities, including:
- Gaming Lingo & Terms Info Sessions for Parents – Learn the language of the gaming world and better understand your child’s passion.
- Online Safety Workshops – Essential tips and strategies to help families navigate digital spaces responsibly.
- Summer Camp Previews – Discover a full list of upcoming youth summer camps with varying focuses such as drawing, coding, esports, photography and more.
- Esports League Interest Forms – Sign up to show your interest in joining, starting, or supporting local and school esports teams.
- Mini Gaming Tournament – Join in friendly matches to meet, greet, and compete with different people.
- Giveaways, Tours, and More!
Located in the heart of the Statesboro Campus, the Virtual Collaboration Center is the hub for Georgia Southern’s vibrant on-campus gaming community and the home of Eagle Esports, the university’s competitive esports team. The event is part of an ongoing initiative to increase community involvement and support future university recruitment by showcasing innovative academic and extracurricular opportunities in digital media and esports.
“This is more than just a day of gaming,” said Andrew Mosley, Manager of the VCC. “It’s about creating bridges between the university and our community, and showing students and parents how technology, creativity, and education come together at Georgia Southern. ”The event is free and open to the public. Whether you’re a parent wanting to understand the gaming world, a student curious about esports, or a community member looking for a fun weekend activity—there’s something for everyone at the VCC Community Day.”
Eagles Esports Presents The Southern Siege Tournament at Georgia Southern University
STATESBORO, GA – [March 22-23, 2025] – Eagles Esports proudly hosts the Southern Siege Tournament, a Rainbow Six: Siege LAN event bringing together some of Georgia’s top collegiate esports teams. The tournament will take place at Georgia Southern’s Virtual Collaboration Center, featuring competition between University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, and Hop-On-Siege (Private Team) in a double elimination format that guarantees intense action and strategic gameplay.
The Southern Siege Tournament is set to showcase several bright and upcoming players from Georgia’s esports scene while featuring the rising competitiveness of collegiate gaming. With teams battling through a double-elimination bracket, fans can expect fun and exciting matches that will entertain everyone.
“This is the first of many collegiate events we want to host to expand Eagle Esports as an organization,” said Darin Reno, President of Eagles Esports.
The Southern Siege Tournament will be open to spectators, with opportunities for fans to cheer on their favorite teams, engage with the esports community, and experience the LAN atmosphere firsthand.
*** About Eagles Esports
Eagles Esports is the official esports organization of Georgia Southern University, dedicated to fostering competitive gaming, teamwork, and community engagement. Through tournaments, training, and outreach, Eagles Esports provides a platform for student gamers to thrive both in competition and personal development in the world of esports.
Winter XP Camp (February 2025)
This camp is designed for young gamers to explore, learn, and deepen their passion for gaming. Campers will engage in a variety of gaming experiences, including board games, card games, tabletop, console, and PC gaming. Along the way, we’ll emphasize the importance of online safety and create opportunities for campers to discuss their interests and ideas in different gaming genres. Whether it’s strategy, storytelling, or competition, there’s something for every gamer to enjoy!
Date
Feb. 17-21
Registration Deadline
Feb. 16
Drop-off
7:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.
Time
8am to 12pm Mon – Fri
Registration Free
$125
Pick-up
12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: 98 Georgia Ave. Statesboro, Ga 30458
Once registered you will receive an email with more details pertaining to the camp and few other things you will need to sign off on and bring with you on the first day. If you have any further questions feel free to email vcc@georgiasouthern.edu or call 912-478-0345.