Commonwealth Credit Union and LG&E Provide First-Ever Corporate Support to Louisville eSports
May 11, 2021 | General
Founding partners contribute to on-campus UofL student-run eSports organization experiences success, growth
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville eSports announced today a significant milestone as Commonwealth Credit Union and Louisville Gas and Electric Company are now Founding Partners of the student-run eSports organization at the University of Louisville.
The two local corporations will help support Louisville eSports, which currently has more than 10 teams competing against other colleges around the U.S. through seasonal play and tournaments. Each new semester contributes to the growth of more teams, playing League of Legends, Rocket League, Valorant and other popular game titles. Louisville eSports also serves as the UofL student club for video games, playing host to casual and competitive gaming events and tournaments all year.
"What the students at UofL are doing with eSports is remarkable, and we're honored to have the opportunity to be a Founding Partner," said Commonwealth Credit Union President/CEO Karen Harbin. "This sport and industry is growing quickly, and we are excited to see it attract a new group of students to the university. We're always looking for ways to better lives, and by supporting this program, we're helping develop the next generation of tech innovators by empowering students to pursue their passion."
Comprised only of students attending the University of Louisville, Louisville eSports has over 50 students across all teams, plus hundreds of students that are a part of the student club. Louisville eSports has captured the inaugural 2020 Virtual Governors Cup against the University of Kentucky, placed 5th in the student-run Atlantic Coast eSports league, and achieved high finishes in many other national collegiate tournaments. Additionally, UofL placed third, bringing home $5,000 for the club, in the first-ever national 2021 Level Next Fall Champions Series in which nearly 400 schools were represented. The student eSports club also hosted a successful Louisville Fall Madden 21 Challenge for 77 teams, with competition streamed on Twitch, along with commentary and play-by-play from familiar voices Paul Rodgers and Jody Demling.
As Louisville eSports looks to build on its success in the competitive college landscape, it will host an online open tournament May 29-30, competing in EA Sports' FIFA 21 game on the PS4 platform. Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, the tournament is part of the Level Next Challenger Series. Registration will open May 10th at GoCards.com/esports.
The club will also host qualifying competition in the Level Next Rocket League Spring Showcase to determine which team will represent the UofL in the national intercollegiate competition in pursuit of prize money totaling $125,000. Registration for that event is open now at LevelNextEsports.com.
"As a complement to our existing support of UofL, we recognize the growing popularity of college eSports, particularly during this past year with the pandemic and quarantine protocols," said LG&E Vice President of Communications and Corporate Responsibility Chris Whelan. "We're proud to support education and this technology-based sports organization in this new venture and excited to be a Founding Partner of Louisville Esports."
"We are grateful for Commonwealth Credit Union and LG&E – our founding eSports partners," said Associate Athletic Director and E-Sports Staff Advisor Matt Banker. "These partnerships directly support our students in the eSports space, and more broadly, our university's eSports aspirations and synergies on campus. The future of UofL eSports is bright thanks to this support."
The Founding Partner relationships were secured by Louisville Sports Properties, UofL Athletics' multimedia rightsholder and locally based Learfield IMG College team that works alongside local, regional and national companies interested in alignment with the Cardinals.
The two local corporations will help support Louisville eSports, which currently has more than 10 teams competing against other colleges around the U.S. through seasonal play and tournaments. Each new semester contributes to the growth of more teams, playing League of Legends, Rocket League, Valorant and other popular game titles. Louisville eSports also serves as the UofL student club for video games, playing host to casual and competitive gaming events and tournaments all year.
"What the students at UofL are doing with eSports is remarkable, and we're honored to have the opportunity to be a Founding Partner," said Commonwealth Credit Union President/CEO Karen Harbin. "This sport and industry is growing quickly, and we are excited to see it attract a new group of students to the university. We're always looking for ways to better lives, and by supporting this program, we're helping develop the next generation of tech innovators by empowering students to pursue their passion."
Comprised only of students attending the University of Louisville, Louisville eSports has over 50 students across all teams, plus hundreds of students that are a part of the student club. Louisville eSports has captured the inaugural 2020 Virtual Governors Cup against the University of Kentucky, placed 5th in the student-run Atlantic Coast eSports league, and achieved high finishes in many other national collegiate tournaments. Additionally, UofL placed third, bringing home $5,000 for the club, in the first-ever national 2021 Level Next Fall Champions Series in which nearly 400 schools were represented. The student eSports club also hosted a successful Louisville Fall Madden 21 Challenge for 77 teams, with competition streamed on Twitch, along with commentary and play-by-play from familiar voices Paul Rodgers and Jody Demling.
As Louisville eSports looks to build on its success in the competitive college landscape, it will host an online open tournament May 29-30, competing in EA Sports' FIFA 21 game on the PS4 platform. Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, the tournament is part of the Level Next Challenger Series. Registration will open May 10th at GoCards.com/esports.
The club will also host qualifying competition in the Level Next Rocket League Spring Showcase to determine which team will represent the UofL in the national intercollegiate competition in pursuit of prize money totaling $125,000. Registration for that event is open now at LevelNextEsports.com.
"As a complement to our existing support of UofL, we recognize the growing popularity of college eSports, particularly during this past year with the pandemic and quarantine protocols," said LG&E Vice President of Communications and Corporate Responsibility Chris Whelan. "We're proud to support education and this technology-based sports organization in this new venture and excited to be a Founding Partner of Louisville Esports."
"We are grateful for Commonwealth Credit Union and LG&E – our founding eSports partners," said Associate Athletic Director and E-Sports Staff Advisor Matt Banker. "These partnerships directly support our students in the eSports space, and more broadly, our university's eSports aspirations and synergies on campus. The future of UofL eSports is bright thanks to this support."
The Founding Partner relationships were secured by Louisville Sports Properties, UofL Athletics' multimedia rightsholder and locally based Learfield IMG College team that works alongside local, regional and national companies interested in alignment with the Cardinals.
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