Great Lakes CRL 2024-2025 Fall Minor 1 Recap
As the new season of Great Lakes CRL kicks off, the 2024-2025 Fall Minor 1 sets the stage for intense competition between 26 collegiate teams. With a format designed to test endurance, consistency, and skill, the tournament follows a double elimination qualifier leading to a Swiss stage Main Event and culminating in a single elimination playoff bracket.
With teams returning from previous seasons, and several newcomers, this Minor promises to shape the competitive landscape for the rest of the year. Let’s dive into the details.
Tournament Format
The Fall Minor 1 features a diverse lineup of teams from across the Great Lakes CRL. The tournament began with 26 teams competing in a double-elimination qualifier, where only the top 16 would move on to the Main Event. The Swiss stage Main Event (best-of-5) will further narrow the field to the top 8 teams, who will battle in the Playoffs. The quarterfinals in the Playoffs will be best-of-5, while the semifinals and grand finals will be best-of-7. Teams are competing for a $200 grand prize for the winner and $50 for second place.
Participating Teams and Their Histories
Here’s a quick look at the participating teams and their involvement in the league:
Akron University (Year 1)
Central Michigan University (Year 2) – Historically a top-16 team.
Columbia College Navy (Year 2) – Dominated last season, winning all but one event.
Columbia College Silver (Year 2) – Won one event last season.
Davenport University (Year 2) – Historically placed between top-4 and top-8.
DePaul University (Year 1)
Drexel University (Year 1)
Eastern Michigan University (Year 2) – A top-16 team from Season 1, returning after a hiatus.
Grand Valley State University (Year 2) – A top-4 team in Season 1 but lacks returning members.
Indiana Tech (Year 3) – Despite participating in all three seasons, yet to qualify for a main event.
Maryland Baltimore County (Year 1)
Marywood University (Year 1)
Michigan-Flint (Year 2) – A top-8 team in Season 1, is now back in action.
Michigan State University Green (Year 2) – The most improved team last season, with roster upgrades.
Michigan State University White (Year 2) – Historically a top-8 team last year.
University of Mount Union (Year 1)
Northern Illinois University (Year 1)
Ohio Northern University (Year 3) – A consistent presence just outside the top 8.
Purdue University (Year 3) – Always a top-12 roster.
Robert Morris University (Year 3)
Rochester Christian University (Year 3) – Once the best team in the league, now rebuilding.
Rochester Institute of Technology (Year 1)
St. Clair College Gold (Year 2) – Won the inaugural Great Lakes CRL season but took last year off.
St. Clair College Green (Year 2)
Thomas College (Year 2) – The first team from Maine, usually around the top 12.
Wittenberg University (Year 1)
A History of Champions
St. Clair Gold boasts two members, Spoods and Kristian, who were part of the team that won the league’s first season in 2022-2023.
Columbia Navy has two players, Gske and Cryptic, who led their team to victory in the second season in 2023-2024.
Columbia Silver has Excelst, a former champion from last season, making them a major contender.
Fall Minor 1 Qualifier Recap: Seeding and Results
The road to the Main Event wasn’t easy, with each team giving their best in the qualifier bracket. Below are the initial seeds and the results from the double-elimination qualifier:
Seeding
St. Clair Green
Columbia Navy
Akron
St. Clair Gold
Michigan State Green
Drexel
Davenport
Rochester Christian
Indiana Tech
Columbia Silver
Robert Morris
Thomas
Purdue
Rochester Institute of Technology
Grand Valley State
Mount Union
Michigan State White
Central Michigan
Northern Illinois
Eastern Michigan
Maryland Baltimore County
Michigan - Flint
Ohio Northern
Marywood
DePaul
Wittenberg
With Rochester Christian and Michigan-Flint unable to attend, they forfeited their matches, automatically affecting their placement.
Upper Bracket: Round 1
Mount Union 3 - Michigan State White 1
DePaul W - Rochester Christian FF
Indiana Tech 3 - Marywood 0
Purdue 3 - Eastern Michigan 0
Thomas 3 - Maryland Baltimore County 1
Central Michigan 3 - Grand Valley State 1
Davenport 3 - Wittenberg 0 (Perfect Sweep)
Columbia Navy 3 - Ohio Northern 0
Northern Illinois 3 - Rochester Institute of Technology 2
Robert Morris W - Michigan-Flint FF
Upper Bracket: Round 2
St. Clair Green 3 - Mount Union 0
Indiana Tech 3 - DePaul 0
St. Clair Gold 3 - Purdue 1
Michigan State Green 3 - Thomas 0
Columbia Navy 3 - Central Michigan 0
Davenport 3 - Columbia Silver 2
Akron 3 - Northern Illinois 1
Drexel 3 - Robert Morris 0
Lower Bracket: Round 1
Marywood W - Rochester Christian FF
Ohio Northern 3 - Wittenberg 0
Lower Bracket: Round 2
Robert Morris 3 - Michigan State White 2 (Reverse Sweep)
Northern Illinois 3 - Marywood 0
Columbia Silver 3 - Eastern Michigan 1
Central Michigan 3 - Maryland Baltimore County 0
Grand Valley State 3 - Thomas 0
Purdue 3 - Ohio Northern 1
Rochester Institute of Technology 3 - DePaul 0
Mount Union W - Michigan-Flint FF
Looking Ahead: Main Event and Playoffs
With the top 16 teams from the qualifier advancing to the Main Event, competition is only heating up. The Swiss stage will narrow the field to the top 8, who will then compete for the championship in a single-elimination playoff. Will Columbia Navy continue their dominance from last season, or will St. Clair Gold return to reclaim their title? Can Davenport break into the top 4 again? We’ll soon find out as these teams battle it out for glory and a shot at the $200 grand prize.
Great Lakes CRL's Fall Minor 1 Main Event begins on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM Eastern on Twitch.
You can follow the bracket on Liquipedia and start.gg.
Gotta shout the winter major champion out too smh.