FLORENCE, Ala. (September 21, 2023) – As many remember the 21st night of September today, the University of North Alabama Department of Athletics would also like to provide some "things to remember" ahead of Saturday's game against UT Martin set for 6 p.m. at Braly Stadium.
1. KICKOFF: The Lions and Skyhawks will officially kickoff at 6:02 p.m. from Braly Stadium.
2. PRESENTING GAME SPONSOR: Saturday's presenting game sponsor is Bank Independent.
3. THE LION KINGS RETURN: UNA will welcome home the 1993 NCAA Division II National Championship team for a 30 year reunion on Saturday. Members of the 1993 team will take part in the Lion Walk at 3:45 p.m. alongside the current team, then will be honored at 5:40 p.m. with a special on-field presentation. The 1993 team will gather behind the south end zone during the game and will join the team on the field for a postgame celebration.
4. POSTGAME FIREWORK SHOW: After Saturday's game, UNA will continue celebrating the 1993 team with a postgame firework show sponsored by TNT Fireworks. Fans are invited to stay for the firework show after the game and encouraged to prepare accordingly for the loud noises. Additionally, the Lot D parking area behind the baseball field will be closed for the firework show, but fans with this pass can park at the Royal Avenue Pool parking lot or behind Florence Middle School.
5. TICKETS: Season tickets and single game tickets, as well as other bundle options, are available by calling 256-765-5466 (LION) or by emailing
athleticstickets@una.edu. Tickets to the game are available for as low as $20.
6. NINE FOR 93 PROMOTION: In honor of the 1993 team, fans can purchase nine football vouchers for $93, valid for prime and outer bench seating for all five home games. These are redeemable online and can be purchased
at this link.
7. ACCESS YOUR TICKETS: The UNA Ticket Office put together three videos to help fans download and access their tickets this season. Click the links below to access tickets on your device or call 256-765-5466 for assistance.
WEBSITE |
ANDRIOD |
APPLE
8. CASHLESS VENUE: Much like this past basketball season at CB&S Bank Arena, Braly Stadium will be a cashless venue this season. Fans are encouraged to prepare accordingly to make purchases by card.
9. BAG POLICY: Fans are encouraged to review the bag policy before arriving to the stadium, as many bag types are prohibited inside Braly Stadium. Approved bags include clear totes, resealable freezer storage bags, small clutch bags, seat cushions with no pockets and small diaper bags with the accompaniment of a child. For more information on which types of bags are approved and which types are prohibited,
click here.
10. PARKING: Fans are able to purchase parking in Lot D at the Royal Avenue Center Tennis Courts or Pool for $12 on game day. For an updated parking map for Saturday's game,
click here.
11. SHUTTLE BUS PARKING: UNA will have four parking lots available for fans to park and shuttle to the stadium — three of which are on UNA's campus. The shuttle lots include Jackson Heights Church of Christ, the front of Rice and Rivers Hall, Appleby Hall and the Wendall Gunn Commons parking lot. The shuttles run throughout the day, including before and after the game. For more information,
click here.
12. TAILGATING: A number of roads surrounding Braly Stadium will be closed in the morning for tailgating, specifically Royal Avenue. Fans are encouraged to plan accordingly. Parking lots open three hours prior to kickoff. Tailgating will take place on Spirit Hill presented by Bud Light and outside of Braly Stadium. Spirit Hill tailgating spots are sold out for Saturday's game, but fans are encouraged to join in on the festivities around the stadium.
13. LEO'S ROAR: Singin' River Brewing Co. — the company responsible for Golden Mane golden ale — will be on Spirit Hill during pre-game providing samples of their new product — Leo's Roar.
14. FOOD TRUCKS: UNA Athletics will partner with a number of food trucks this season for all home football games. For this Saturday, fans can visit three different vendors along North Royal Avenue, including Quench, Smile Beverage and Whole Hog Express. For a food truck map,
click here.
15. PEP RALLY: UNA will host a pep rally at 3:30 p.m. on Spirit Hill with the North Alabama Marching Pride, the UNA cheer and dance team and mascots Leo and Una. This will take place just before the team arrives via buses for the Lion Walk — which take place two hours and 15 minutes before all home games.
16. LION WALK: One of UNA's oldest traditions, the Lion Walk will take place at 3:45 p.m. starting at Spirit Hill and ending when the team enters the stadium through the North End Zone — the side with the videoboard closest to the home locker rooms. Fans are encouraged to cheer on the Lions as they walk toward the stadium. Special for this game, the 1993 team will walk with the current team.
17. GAME PROGRAM: This season, game day programs will be shifting to an electronic format and are free of charge. QR codes will be available to fans throughout the stadium to download the program, which includes rosters, depth charts and more. Fans can also
access game programs at roarlions.com.
18. DOWNLOAD OUR APP: Fans are also encouraged to download the Roar Lions app, available on
Google Play and the
Apple App Store. The app was launched this past month and includes ticket information, team shop, game programs, schedules, rosters and links to watch and listen to the games online.
19. WATCH ON ESPN+: Saturday's game will stream on ESPN+ featuring "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray on play-by-play and Bryan Neece as the color analyst. Fans can tune in at 6 p.m.
at this link or on the ESPN app.
20. CATCH THE LIONS ON THE RADIO: Fans are encouraged to listen to the UNA Lions Sports Network all season long on WLX Radio — 98.3 FM and 103.5 FM in the Shoals or worldwide on the WLX App or
at this link. Play-by-play announcer Seth Cain will be joined by former UNA quarterback Jacob Tucker in the booth. Austin Collette will be on the sidelines. The UNA radio broadcast will begin at 5 p.m. with the "Countdown to Kickoff" featuring all three members of the broadcast team.
21. LIVE STATS: Fans who are interested in following live stats can do so via
StatBroadcast.
22. 75TH SEASON OF UNA FOOTBALL: The 2023 season marks the 75th year of North Alabama Football. UNA has an all-time record of 482-300-16, while boasting 21 NCAA playoff appearances, 17 conference championships and three national championships. This season marks UNA's sixth at the FCS level and just the second as a full-fledged member.
23. A NEW ERA, A NEW CONFERENCE: The Lions are one of the charter members of the newly-formed United Athletic Conference (UAC) and are the first UAC team to ever compete in a football game representing the conference. The new league includes Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State and Utah Tech. Former Gulf South Conference rival West Georgia will join in 2024, while UTRGV will join in 2025.
24. SERIES HISTORY: The Lions are 19-12-1 all-time against UT Martin. The series began in 1949 during UNA's first year of football and ended in 1990 as UT Martin jumped to FCS the following season. With 32 meetings, UT Martin is the eight-most played rival in UNA history behind West Alabama, Delta State, Jacksonville State, Troy, Valdosta State, Mississippi College and West Georgia. Despite not meeting since 1990, UT Martin is also UNA's most played rival among current FCS members.
25. UNA FOOTBALL HOUR ON TUESDAYS: Fans are reminded to head over to 306 Barbecue in downtown Florence every Tuesday during football season for the UNA Football Hour with Coach
Brent Dearmon. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. and will air on WLX Radio (98.3/103.5 FM) and on the WLX app. The show will also air live at 306 BBQ hosted by Benjamin Ray and Mike Ezekiel.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
