On Rutgers Day at Newark’s World Cup Fan Village, Visitors See Red

You didn’t have to be a soccer fan to celebrate Rutgers Day at the Fan Village in Newark.

Hundreds of alumni–and other members of the Rutgers University-Newark community–showed up to return to their RU-N roots and enjoy the culture of the city’s Ironbound section.

Esron Holder, a business major who graduated this year and is pursuing a masters degree at Rutgers Business School, was happy to come back as an alumnus.

“Ever since I graduated in May, I haven’t really seen people,’’ he said. “Any time I get an opportunity, I want to come out.’’

The World Cup fan village, co-created by Rutgers-Newark alumnus Kreshnik Berisha, features daily watch parties, along with vendors and food trucks reflecting the neighborhood's multicultural vibrancy. The Ironbound is home to large Portuguese, Brazilian, and South and Central American communities, including  some of the most passionate soccer fans in America.

Rutgers-Newark is a sponsor of the fan village, which is free and open to the public through July 19, when the World Cup ends.

“We are thrilled to sponsor the event and work in partnership with the community and the city to welcome the world to Newark,’’ said Arcelio Aponte, Rutgers-Newark Senior Vice Chancellor for Administration, Economic Development, and Chief Financial Officer.

On Rutgers Day at the village–located in the parking lot of the former Iberia Tavern & Restaurant, where the landmark eatery’s turreted castle still stands–Colombia, a fan favorite, played Switzerland. The space was filled with fans wearing the Colombian team’s yellow soccer jerseys, in addition to the throng of RU visitors in scarlet gear.

Beyond the game itself, the event provided a chance for the Rutgers community to network and party together.

“I love staying involved and active and plugged into all the events that keep people connected,’’ said Adrianne Simmons, Class of ‘86, who graduated from the School of Arts and Sciences-Newark with a degree in Management and Finance and later forged a career in law enforcement.

For Jennifer Reyes, who graduated from Rutgers Business School this year with a degree in Leadership and Management,  Rutgers Day at the fan village was the perfect introduction to life as an RU alum.

“I wanted to meet other alumni, especially during the World Cup. It’s a spectacular way to meet new people,’’ said Reyes, who grew up in the Ironbound section of Newark.

Rutgers-Newark’s support of the fan village–and the Ironbound–has been a joyful way to connect RU-N’s local and worldwide communities, said Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson.

“The World Cup is a global opportunity for people to come together,’’ she said. “We’re one big family.’’

Carlos Ferreira, a RU-N alumnus who heads public relations for the Newark fan village through his firm Plusable, said the day provided a chance for Rutgers alums, students, staff and faculty to discover–or rediscover–what the Ironbound has to offer.

“I don’t know if all of our alumni or our community members are aware of all the Ironbound’s treasures,’’ said Ferreira, a Rutgers alum and Ironbound resident who received a masters in from the School of Communications and Information (SCI) in 2021.  

“Rutgers Day shows that the university is supporting grass roots initiatives in the city,’’ he said.

Ferreira, a part-time lecturer who teaches a course on social media at the New Brunswick campus, worked with School of Communications and Information graduate students to develop a “Taste the Game” campaign for the Ironbound Business Improvement District, which seeks to draw visitors during the World Cup.

On Rutgers Day, he showed off his skills as a drummer as he took the stage during a set from deejay Nick Keleshian, a Rutgers-Newark alum.

Keleshian, who graduated with a degree in Marketing in 2018, owns a music studio called bunkr. on Halsey Street, where producers from around the world come to record tracks.

He was proud to represent RU-N at the fan village.

“It’s a great experience,’’ he said. “For the World Cup, you want to be in a place with a lot of people, where it’s loud. You don’t want to be in an empty room by yourself.’’

Keleshian hyped up the crowd with the Colombia Goal Song, but unfortunately, Colombia lost 4-3 on penalties.

“After that the energy level dropped,’’ he admitted, “But it was still a great day.’’