Seton Hall Esports Student Represents University at Red Bull Back to Base

Earlier this month, Seton Hall senior and League of Legends co-captain Rija Sabeeh represented the University on the national esports stage at Red Bull Back to Base in Santa Monica, California. The multi-day event gathered collegiate gaming leaders from across the country for workshops, competitions and networking hosted by Red Bull and Riot Games.

Four Days of Esports Immersion

From August 5–8, participants experienced an intensive schedule of workshops, speaker sessions, competitions and cultural events. The program kicked off with a rooftop welcome dinner overlooking Venice Beach before shifting to Riot Games headquarters for two days of hands-on workshops and breakout sessions. Evenings included formal networking dinners, giving participants more time to connect outside of workshops.

Exclusive Access and Activities

Rija toured both Red Bull HQ and Riot Games HQ, gaining an inside look at how two of the world’s biggest names in gaming operate. Guest speakers included renowned speedrunner GrandPoohBear and Red Bull mental performance coach Anne Shadle, who offered professional insights into competition, leadership and mindset.

One highlight was a campus-wide Tetris competition designed to preview an upcoming Red Bull event. Rija placed second overall, earning a Red Bull gift card.

Lessons, Leadership and Connections

For Rija, the most valuable part of the experience was seeing how other universities approach collegiate esports. Drawing inspiration from programs at the University of Houston and The Ohio State University, she looks forward to expanding student engagement and strengthening leadership development at Seton Hall this fall.

"This was my first time at an event specifically for gamers, and it was incredible to see how much thought Red Bull puts into making it both professional and fun," she said. "I came away not only with new friends and mentors, but also with a clearer vision of how we can grow Seton Hall Esports."

Equally important were the connections she built throughout the week. Rija forged strong bonds with peers from Columbia, Colorado, Illinois and beyond, especially with other women leaders in gaming, and she broadened her professional network through conversations with Red Bull and Riot Games employees.

Next Steps

As captain and a leader in Seton Hall’s esports program, Rija looks ahead with a renewed sense of determination. She is committed to bridging the gap between varsity players and the wider gaming community, a challenge many student leaders at the event discussed. This fall, her focus is on building a stronger culture of collaboration and inclusion in collegiate esports.

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