Bethany, OK – SNU Esports cemented its place in history on Thursday, November 21, 2024, by clinching the first-ever Great American Conference (GAC) League of Legends Championship. The Crimson Storm triumphed over East Central University (ECU) with a decisive 3-1 victory in a thrilling best-of-five series.
The matchup was set to be a daunting challenge for SNU. ECU's Tigers entered the championship undefeated in the regular season, including an early-season victory over SNU that left the Crimson Storm reeling at a 0-2 start. But SNU's resilience and determination led to a stunning postseason performance that delivered the ultimate prize.
The Crimson Storm struck first with a commanding game one win, only to see ECU bounce back with a game two victory to even the series. From there, SNU's captain, Gage Miller—better known in the gaming arena as "theLordsFlame"—took charge. His leadership and precise gameplay were pivotal in guiding the team to hard-fought victories in games three and four, sealing the historic 3-1 series triumph.
"We knew if we played together and stayed precise, we could beat ECU," Miller said following the match.
This championship marks a significant milestone for SNU Esports, as it is not only the program's first-ever title but also the inaugural championship sponsored by the Great American Conference.
Head Coach and Director of Player Development Austin Schoenfeldt praised the team's growth throughout the season. "The confidence among our players has been building all year, and Gage's leadership as captain was instrumental in this team's success," he said.
SNU's roster features a formidable lineup of talent:
- Gage Miller ("theLordsFlame") – Captain
- Duncan McFerren ("Skull2059")
- Derrek Bley ("VoltaicTurtle09")
- Caden Miller ("Hydro")
- Tomas Bley ("VoltaicTiger09")
The victory caps off an exciting fall season for SNU Esports, with anticipation building for the Spring season. In addition to competing in the GAC, the Crimson Storm will take part in the NECC and College COD leagues, further showcasing their versatility and ambition in collegiate esports.
With this historic championship, the SNU Esports program has set the stage for a bright future, proving that the Crimson Storm is a force to be reckoned with in the esports arena.
