Belmont Cameli’s Dual Passion: Hockey, Chicago Sports, and ‘Off Campus’
Belmont Cameli, known for his role as hockey captain Garrett Graham in Amazon Prime’s series “Off Campus,” grew up in Naperville, Illinois, a city that sits just outside Chicago’s sports‑obsessed orbit. A lifelong supporter of the city’s teams, Cameli’s love for baseball, basketball and football is as deep as his enthusiasm for the Blackhawks and the Bears.
The series, which follows a group of college friends navigating life after graduation, gave Cameli a unique platform to showcase his acting chops while also letting him indulge his passion for hockey. In a recent interview, he revealed that he had never played the sport before being cast, a fact that made his preparation all the more demanding.
To embody the role of a hockey captain, Cameli entered an intensive training program that included daily skating drills, stickhandling sessions and conditioning work. The cast spent a week in Vancouver for a hockey boot camp, where they trained alongside professional coaches and learned the technical nuances of the game. Even the crew’s sound specialist, Albert, impressed everyone with his surprising skating ability, a detail that Cameli highlighted as a testament to the show’s collaborative spirit.
Cameli’s connection to Chicago’s sports culture extended beyond the set. He recently threw out the first pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field before a White Sox game, an experience he described as both nerve‑wracking and exhilarating. The White Sox, who had just secured a three‑game series victory over the Cubs, were praised by Cameli for their blend of emerging talent and veteran leadership, a mix he said was shaped by manager Will Venable’s new identity for the club.
Reflecting on the experience, Cameli noted that the series’ crew displayed a level of athleticism and precision that rivaled professional sports teams. He also expressed gratitude for the supportive environment on set, where even minor roles, such as Albert’s, were valued for their contributions. For Cameli, “Off Campus” is more than a acting gig; it is a celebration of the city’s sporting heritage and a personal journey from fan to participant.