Kyle, better known as 40AiR, is part of the leadership team at Chicken Coop. The alias comes from growing up in Toms River, New Jersey, where everyone went by their last name: sound his out and you get FOR-TEE-AIR.
He was introduced to PC gaming in 1999 at eight years old, when his brother gifted him a PC and he found Half-Life and the early Counter-Strike mod. He stayed a casual player for the better part of fifteen years, only getting a real gaming PC in 2023, and first played competitively on an ESEA open team in 2024 after Chicken talked him into it. He describes his job at the org as wearing all the hats, with the goal of making sure everyone is having fun while the Coop makes a genuine impact on North American Counter-Strike.
Growing up in New Jersey, everyone would call each other by their last name. When you sound out my last name, FOR-TEE-AIR. Sort of how that all came together.
I got introduced to PC gaming in 1999 at 8 years old when my brother gifted me a PC. Immediately I was introduced to Half-Life and the early mod of Counter-Strike, and the rest is history.
It was actually Chicken that inspired me to play on an ESEA open team for the first time. This was in 2024. Although I gamed Counter-Strike for the past 15 years, I was a very casual gamer and did not get an actual gaming PC until 2023.
I have to say de_nuke. I am a fan of the way the map is played, it is not a traditional setup, and the fast rotations on the CT side make for interesting setups and gameplay.
I like analysing the other team patterns and playing a dynamic game. My best role would be entry to get info and mid-round calling.
I wear all the hats, but ultimately my role is to make sure everyone in our org is having fun while we execute on our vision of truly making an impact on the North American Counter-Strike scene.
I think just seeing the idea come to fruition. We started with a list of goals and were able to over-achieve them in a short amount of time. I truly believe we are capable of achieving great heights in esports and I plan to continue on that path.
I would hope they see that I am truly a team player, and although my passion can at times be overbearing, I truly want what is best for the team. With that being said, I HATE LOSING.
Being able to recognise patterns and use game sense to make up for where I lack in aim.
If I am playing a match, I like to throw on a jersey. I think esports is the future of sports and I like to treat it as such.
I was in a full body cast at age 3.
It means everything to me. I dump my soul into this org because I truly believe we can make a difference.
Find good players in the scene and build a network. Your brand is everything, start thinking like a professional.