Urban Legend
Follow the Fear by watching the online streams at Twitch.tv/NACL.
Feeling that post-Olympics viewing slump?
UC Esports is hosting the Cincinnati Fear, a professional esports franchise, as they compete in their global League of Legends tournament now through Sept. 2.
“The Fear are excited to be partnering with the University of Cincinnati's 1819 Innovation Center,” says Tim David, general manager of the Cincinnati Fear. “This partnership allows the Fear to use the Innovation Esports Lab for their playoff run and UC Esports to get a first look at the professional level.”
The Fear finished second overall in the North American Challengers League (NACL) regular season, the best finish for the Fear in their three years of competitive League of Legends. The Fear look to the playoffs, starting Aug. 18 at 11 p.m.
The partnership between UC Esports and the Fear underscores a shared commitment to driving positive change and fostering community engagement. The two organnizatiosn intend to redefine the esports landscape, inspiring the next generation of gaming athletes and critical thinkers
“Traditionally teams play remotely in the North American Challengers League, but with the whole team coming together, we want to create an edge against the rest of the competition,” says David.
All five members have experience at the highest level of League of Legends esports, competing in the NACL. Philip “Philip” Zeng playing top lane, returning for his second year on the Fear; Lawrence “exyu” Xu playing jungle; Nicholas “Ablazeolive” Abbott playing mid lane; Tony “Instinct” Ng playing bot lane with Danny “Winsome” Kun-Kim.
This also partnership marks a significant milestone in joining collegiate and professional esports. By combining forces with Cincinnati Fear, UC Esports Innovation Lab, located inside the 1819 Innovation Hub, gains a bigger platform to amplify its initiatives.
“Our collaboration with Cincy Fear is strategic with an intent to bring more awareness of Esports opportunities, integrate esports into mainstream media and have the conversation on how to engage those to realize their passion can be a profession,” says Patty Moser, director of UC Esports Innovation Lab.
The alliance expands the platform for esports initiatives in Cincinnati and beyond, offering unique opportunities for the gaming community at all levels and ages.
“The Cincinnati Fear and UC Esports Innovation Lab will continue to partner on strategic initiatives to grow the interest in professional esports for players and for marketers who want to tap into the gaming ecosystem,” says Jackie Reau, president of the Cincinnati Fear, and the only woman-owned city-based professional esports team
The partnership underscores a shared commitment to driving positive change and fostering community engagement. UC Esports and Cincinnati Fear intend to redefine the esports landscape, inspiring the next generation of gaming athletes and critical thinkers.