FLORENCE, Ala. (November 18, 2025) – Saturday marks the end of a historic era.
 
The University of North Alabama football team will play its final game at Braly Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. against Southern Utah. Braly Stadium has been home to North Alabama Football since 1949 — 77 seasons.
 
This game will be streamed on ESPN+ as well as on WAFF 48's Tennessee Valley Sports Entertainment Network, which can be found over the air on 48.3 or by checking with your cable provider. "Voice of the Lions" Benjamin Ray, Bryan Neece and Arielle Schaffer will be on the call of the game.
 
To commemorate the final game at Braly Stadium, WAFF will produce a one-hour pregame show called "A Farewell to Braly" with an inside look at the history of Braly and a sneak-peak inside Bobby Wallace Field at Bank Independent Stadium. Longtime Sports Director Carl Prather will host the pregame show.
 
This year, UNA has been celebrating the "Final Season at Braly" by recognizing various eras of UNA football for select games. In doing so, the UNA football team has worn five different helmet styles to represent each era while inviting members of those teams to a special pre-game tailgate one hour prior to kickoff.

This week's era of recognition is unquestionably the most decorated period for the program — the 1990s. The Lions became the first college football team in NCAA scholarship football history to win three consecutive national championships in 1993, 1994 and 1995. During this decade, UNA finished with an 87-31-1 record, including a 41-1 record over the three national championship seasons.

The final game at Braly will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the 1995 NCAA Division II National Championship. The members of the 1995 team became the first in Division II to receive an invitation to the White House —meeting with President Bill Clinton.

To commemorate the 1990s teams, UNA will wear the classic "stars" on the helmet Saturday as worn by the "Purple Swarm."

From 1990-1999, UNA celebrated 25 All-Americans — 10 of which won multiple seasons — one Harlon Hill Trophy winner, one member of the College Football Hall of Fame, five NFL draft picks, eight NFL free agent signees, four members of the Division II Team of the Quarter Century and 22 players and four coaches who have been inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame.

Under the leadership of Coaches Bobby Wallace and Bill Hyde, the Lions won three conference championships and made six NCAA playoff appearances. The 1993 team became the first in college football history at any level to win 14 games in one season.

UNA earned its first-ever number one national ranking in football on Oct. 4, 1993 — and held it for a national-record 27 consecutive polls over a three-year span.

In this decade, UNA had a record of 50-13 at Braly Stadium with a Division II record of 28 straight home wins from 1993-96. The Lions have an all-time record of 281-134-8 in the stadium, including a 26-8 all-time record in home playoff games.

Each recognition this season has included former football student-athletes, coaches, staff members and spirit squad members. More information will become available after registration.

To register for the "Final Season at Braly" celebration, click here.
 
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


1995 Harlon Hill Trophy winner Ronald McKinnon makes a tackle during UNA's 1995 National Championship win over Pittsburg State at Braly Stadium (27-7).


Celebration of the 1995 national championship win at Braly Stadium in front of over 15,000 fans.


The 1995 National Championship Team at the White House with President Bill Clinton.


Ronald McKinnon accepting the 1995 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II National Player of the Year.