The University of North Alabama (UNA) Esports team concluded the Fall 2024 semester with a perfect season, culminating in a victory at the College Halo National Championship. The Lions achieved a remarkable 10-0 regular season record and a flawless 4-0 postseason run, securing the championship title with three decisive wins over York College of Pennsylvania in the finals on November 22nd.
“I’ve been chasing something like this since 2007 when I was 15 and Halo 3 had just released,” said Dillon White, known as “Odin” in the gaming world, in a news release. “Obviously, we still feel as though the job isn’t finished, and we have much more to accomplish. But this was definitely a childhood dream come true.” The championship team consists of White, Colton Smith (“StanTheCarMan”), Chase Miller (“Kiljxy”), and Nick Morris (“Zenny”).
Throughout the season, the Lions triumphed over formidable opponents including Mississippi State, Clemson, Pennsylvania State, and Oklahoma. Their success in the highly competitive Halo Infinite tournament, a popular first-person shooter game released in 2021, highlights the importance of not only individual skill but also effective teamwork and communication.
“We often struggled through the semester in certain maps when our comms would get low energy, and we would play just about as flat as the comms would get,” Smith explained. “Being able to screen and be the hype man for the team really helped give everyone the energy we needed the entire tournament.” The team’s dedication is evident in their rigorous practice schedule, which includes multiple practices per week and dedicated time spent reviewing gameplay footage.
Miller expressed his pride in representing UNA, stating, “I really hope that this win helps cement Esports in the foundation of UNA, and, if any students who happen to play games think they have something to contribute or want to help in any way, reach out and become part of the growing scene.” This championship win adds to UNA’s impressive Esports history, including the 2021 National Esports Collegiate Competition title in Overwatch and divisional leadership in Valorant and League of Legends last year.