The North Alabama Lions represent a proud tradition of athletics at the University of North Alabama. Both North Alabama Lions basketball and North Alabama Lions football programs have built strong reputations with conference titles, passionate fans, and talented athletes. Their competitive spirit continues to shape the university’s sports legacy and inspire future student-athletes.
College Sports Established
1830
Location
Florence, Alabama
College Name
University of North Alabama
Collegiate History
2018 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2018 - Present / ASUN Conference
Nickname
Lions - The University of North Alabama has a rich and storied history, and its athletic teams have long been known as the Lions. But where did this nickname come from? The answer lies in the university's past.
It all started in 1872 when UNA was founded as LaGrange College by local Presbyterians who wanted to establish a school that would “educate young men for service to their country.” 1889 after several ownership changes, it became State Normal School No 1 – later named Florence State Normal School (FSNS) – emphasizing training teachers rather than educating students more broadly.
North Alabama Lions Origin
In 1930 FSNS adopted its first official mascot: the Lion! This came about due to an alumnus from 1908 who had gone on to become president of what is now Auburn University — Ralph Baughman Jordan — suggesting that since both schools were state-funded institutions located near each other, they should share similar mascots; he proposed the lion for his alma mater at FSNS because lions are majestic animals associated with courage and strength which seemed appropriate for aspiring educators looking out into uncharted territory ahead of them during these times.
The name stuck over time until 1994 when UNA officially changed from Florence State University (FSU) to North Alabama - though many still refer affectionately today just as 'Florence.' As part of this transition process, they also adopted their current logo featuring two lions facing off against one another - representing strength and unity between different groups within our community here at UNA! It is no surprise why we proudly call ourselves "The Lions" today!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1979
- 2017
- 2018
- 2021
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UNA Lions win their first NCAA Division II national championship in Basketball
In 1979: The UNA Lions win their first NCAA Division II national championship in Basketball. -
Lions officially become a Division I football program, joining the Big South Conference
In 2017: The Lions officially become a Division I football program, joining the Big South Conference. -
UNA wins the Big South Conference football championship
In 2018: UNA wins the Big South Conference football championship in its first year of eligibility. -
UNA joins the Western Athletic Conference (WAC)
In 2021, the North Alabama Lions began their first season in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), a Division I conference. This marked a new era for UNA athletics, as the school joined a new conference and competed at the highest level of collegiate sports. During the 2021 season, the Lions competed in football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s and ...
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North Alabama Lions History
The North Alabama Lions are based in Florence, Alabama, and represent the University of North Alabama in NCAA athletics. The North Alabama Lions football program has a storied past, especially in Division II, before moving into Division I. The North Alabama Lions basketball program likewise carries a rich tradition with deep ties to local and regional competition.
North Alabama Lions football first rose to national prominence in Division II, winning three consecutive national championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995. The Lions also claimed multiple Gulf South Conference titles during the Division II era. The program has historic wins over notable opponents and long stretches of strong rankings. When UNA moved up to Division I in recent years, the Lions football team began full-time competition in the FCS-level conferences, carving out new rivalries and seeking new levels of success.
The North Alabama Lions basketball team has similarly deep roots in Division II. They made many NCAA Division II Tournament appearances. Since transitioning to Division I, the basketball program has worked toward establishing itself among stronger competition. In 2025, the North Alabama Lions basketball team made history by earning their first-ever bid to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). They also shared the ASUN regular-season championship that same season—the most wins in one season in the Division I era for the Lions.
Beyond those flagship sports, the North Alabama Lions programs include many other athletic teams: soccer, baseball, golf, tennis, cross country, softball, track and field, and more. These contribute to the university’s overall culture of sport, with student-athletes in North Alabama Lions basketball, North Alabama Lions football, and other sports showing school pride and competitive performance each year.
Lions Achievements
In North Alabama Lions football, the program is distinguished by its unmatched success in Division II: three straight national championships (1993-1995), multiple Gulf South Conference championships, and a reputation for dominant seasons. Since entering Division I play, the Lions football program has had to rebuild and compete in tougher, more challenging leagues, and continues to lay foundations for future postseason opportunities and quality recruiting.
In North Alabama Lions basketball, the major achievement of the first NIT bid in 2025 marked a turning point. The basketball program also celebrated its best Division I regular-season record ever, co-championing the ASUN regular season. While postseason success at the Division I level is still developing, the Lions basketball team continues to grow stronger, with good coaching, improved recruitment, and increasing support.
