Published: 08/18/2023
VNET, IU5 and Gannon University will host the inaugural Flagship City Esports Invitational and Open: “The Battle of Lake Erie” on Aug. 19-20.
In partnership with Velocity Network, Inc. (VNET) and Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 (IU5), Gannon University will host the inaugural Flagship City Esports Invitational and Open: “The Battle of Lake Erie” at its Recreation and Wellness Center on Aug. 19 and 20.
Coinciding with CelebrateErie and Gannon’s Welcome Week, the official Battle of Lake Erie tournament kicks off at 11 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 19 with gamers representing regional high schools located in the IU5.
Battling it out in Super Smash Bros and Rocket League, gamers will have the opportunity to claim the official top gamer title and win from a prize pool featuring more than $3,500 of gift cards and hardware from Logitech, MSI and more.
The excitement will continue on Sunday, Aug. 20 as Gannon University students and the general public will take the stage to compete in Rocket League, Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart. Gannon students will partake in a special competition against Provost and Vice President for Student Experience, Sarah Ewing, Ph.D., from 6 to 7 p.m. to close out the two-day event.
Students, faculty and staff from Gannon University’s School of Engineering and Computing will also have cutting-edge technology they’ve developed on display at the competition.
Guests can catch a glimpse of a NASA-funded high-altitude ballooning project developed to record the upcoming eclipse from space; or check out autonomous vehicles, high-speed drones and drones used for air-quality research – all built by Gannon students. Attendees can also put their piloting skills to the test using the drone flight simulator; or connect with students who work in Gannon’s new MakerSpace as they 3D-print exclusive giveaways during the event.
The public are invited to register for Sunday’s competition through midnight on Saturday. To register, please visit: www.flagshipcityesports.gg. Live stream of the competition can be viewed at www.twitch.tv/fibergaming_.