College basketball is maybe the most popular of all the collegiate sports played across the country. Every year, the start of college basketball is highly anticipated by the players, students on campus, and fans across the country. The ultimate goals for the teams are to make their conference tournament, win that tournament, and advance to the NCAA tournament. The same sentiment can also be found on the Quinnipiac campus.

Both the men’s and women’s basketball squads made some noise in the NEC last season. The men finished 10-8 in conference play and 17-12 overall, tying for fourth in the NEC with St. Francis (PA). The men fell to Wagner in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Wagner went on to win the NEC championship and advance to the NCAA tournament.

The women on the other hand, came in second place in the NEC, compiling a 14-4 conference record, 18-10 overall. The women lost to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in the quarterfinals of the NEC tournament.

With the types of seasons the two teams had, there is no wonder why there are high expectations for both teams this season. To get this season started, Quinnipiac has set the date for the annual Midnight Madness.

Midnight Madness is set for October 17. It is the annual pep rally that every major school in the country uses to increase support for its men’s and women’s basketball teams. It is a night filled with festivities and spirit building for the upcoming season.

The night will kick off at 9 p.m. with a parade down Bobcat Alley, formally known as Dorm Road, starting at Mountainview and ending at the gymnasium.

The parade will consist of the cheerleading squad, Dance Mode, Kickline, the Crazy Bobcats, Dance Company, and the pep band.

The gymnasium doors open at 10 p.m. and only students with tickets will be allowed to enter. Tickets are free and will be given out according to grade. Seniors and juniors will be allowed to get tickets on Tuesday October 14 from noon to 2 p.m., sophomores and freshmen on Wednesday October 15 from noon to 2 p.m., and finally law and grad students on Thursday October 16 from noon to 2 p.m.

There will be enough tickets handed out to fill the fifteen hundred person capacity of the gymnasium.

There will be school spirit items given out. If students are wearing their gold “Crazy Bobcat” apparel, costume, have their face painted or are wearing anything which exemplifies school spirit they will receive a free “Beany Bobcat.” Class representatives will also be distributing items to their fellow classmates. Seniors will receive fiber optic strands, and the juniors will be given thunder spirit sticks. The sophomores will get terrible tail towels while the freshman will be given bandanas.

God Bless America will be sung at 10 p.m. to get the night’s festivities started. Each class will have both a male and female representative who will participate in a shooting contest. The grand prize is a $5,000 tuition credit if the participant makes a half court shot.

Dance Mode, Dance Company, Kickline, and the cheerleaders will perform routines inbetween each class’s shooters.

After the student competitions have ended, the fall athletes will be introduced and take the court. They will be followed by the introduction of the QU cheerleaders.

Finally, the 15 minute clock will expire, meaning that it is midnight and time to introduce the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

After the introductions of the two rosters has taken place, both teams along with the cheerleaders line up for the National Anthem which will be performed by the QU Pep Band.

Then the play begins. The women will be on the floor and take part in 3-point shooting drills while the men watch from the sideline. When the women finish, the men take center stage for a slam dunk contest.

The night is designed to help get morale of the school up and increase the support of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as all the athletic programs within the university.

Each class is encouraged to come out and support the school as best they can. It is a night to let loose and show your support for the school. It will be madness.