![Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Retention & Services Jill Gerloff delivers the opening speech at her final NGWSD dinner before her retirement. “I love all of my athletes and my women's teams always show up for me, and I want to make sure that I can do something to show up for them,” Gerloff said. [File photo]](https://therambler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/OpeningSpeaker_Gerloff-1200x800.jpg)
Students traded textbooks for controllers Tuesday as they faced off against faculty in a Mario-themed showdown celebrating Mario Day on campus.
On March 10th, Texas Wesleyan University celebrated “MAR10” Day by bringing iconic Nintendo characters to life competition style. The event brought members of the campus community together for friendly rivalry and nostalgic gaming, giving students and professors the chance to connect outside of the classroom while celebrating one of gaming’s most recognizable characters.
-
“I struggle to find time in my personal life to play video games, so this has been an amazing treat, and I can’t wait to do it again,” Dr. Cary Adkinson, associate professor of criminal justice, said.
-
“My kids played all of this, and they were excited that I was coming to do this, and they will be laughing at the pictures of Mom squatting with Mario at 52 years old,” Dr. Heida Reed, visiting business administration professor, said.
-
Michael Nguyen, assistant director of Esports and first year grad student, poses as Mario.
-
A pair of students of students play Mario Kart Wii on a retro box television.
-
A group of students race each other in a game of Mario Kart in Gina’s Cafe.
-
A group of students gather around a monitor for a multiplayer match of Super Smash Bros.
