There is no better way to show some Quinnipiac Bobcat spirit than to attend Midnight Madness on Friday, Oct. 17.
This year marks the 8th anniversary of the event and features introductions of the men and women’s basketball teams, appearances by other Quinnipiac sports teams, cheering, dance and pep band performances, a parade, and of course, an appearance by Boomer the Bobcat.
The pep band, cheerleaders, Dance Mode Squad, Dance Company, and Kickline have been practicing hard to showcase their skills at this event.
“The Dance Company has been working really hard and with a choreographer on a dance for Midnight Madness,” Dance Company memeber Kerri Fice said. “We work on the dance two to three hours a week. The music is a mix of really good songs that we picked so the crowd will get into it.”
For those who like free stuff, Midnight Madness is the place to be. Each Class Cabinet gives out a different novelty to their class, and this year free “Beany Bobcats” will go to the fans wearing gold Crazy Bobcats T-shirts.
According to James Miller, the event is a great way to showcase the school’s athletic teams.
“I’m a huge sports fan, but our teams do not get that much recognition,” he said. “I think this is a great way for the students to check out our teams.”
There will also be basketball-shooting contests throughout the night where contestants have the chance to win $5000 tuition credit.
Junior Jackie Boback, who has attended Midnight Madness before, believes the event provides the campus with unity.
“It is a good on-campus event where the school comes together and shows spirit,” she said. “It’s especially good to go if you know people participating in it so you can support them.”
“I am very excited to go to Midnight Madness because it will be a great chance to preview the winter sports stars,” said freshman Angie Langley. “Since I’m a freshman, it will be my first real chance to feel a sense of community as a member of the Quinnipiac student population.”
Midnight Madness is jointly sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Athletics and Recreation Department. There is a Midnight Madness Committee that has been planning the event.
According to senior class Vice President Jason Greenwood, the Committe is well represented by all organizations involved.
“The committee meets once a week and is comprised of one member from each cabinet, at least one member from each participating dance team, members from the pep band, and people in the athletic department,” he said.
Greenwood also said that this year’s version will be a little different that last year’s.
“Some people may have a preconceived notion about Midnight Madness because last year it was on a Thursday and was in the middle of the basketball season,” he said. “This year will be the first real Midnight Madness for both the freshmen and the sophomores.”
In addition to being a fun way for the classes to bond and have some friendly competition with each other, Greenwood also feels this is will help inspire fan support for both basketball teams.
“It’s a good way to kick off the basketball season and support the teams since they both are predicted to have one of their best years ever,” he said.
Admission is free to the event, but students must have a ticket to enter. Tickets can be picked up at the Athletic Center ticket office and are distributed by class.
Seniors and juniors can pick up tickets Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and sophomores and freshmen can pick up tickets Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Law and grad students can pick up tickets Thursday, Oct. 16 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and all others can pick up any tickets that are left on Friday, Oct. 17 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The parade begins Oct. 17 at 9 pm in front of Mountainview and continues down Dorm Road. Doors open to the event, which is in the Athletic Center, at 10 p.m.
