College basketball may be 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.
The men’s team finished 9-20 overall, and ended with a 5-13 mark in NEC play. They were unable to qualify for the NEC Tournament but did play a memorable game at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 3 against St. Francis (N.Y.).
The women on the other hand, came in second place in the NEC, compiling an 11-7 conference record, 18-11 overall, earning them the No. 4 in the NEC tourney. They eventually lost to No. 1 St. Francis (NY), 69-62. One of the biggest bright spots for the women’s squad was senior center Ashlee Kelly, who led the nation in rebounding with a 13.5 RPG average.
Expectations are high for both teams for the 2004-05, even though both teams lost significant pieces to graduation. To get this season started, Quinnipiac has set the date for the annual Midnight Madness.
Midnight Madness is set to occur on Friday, Oct. 15. 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 to build up school spirit for the upcoming season.
The night will kick off at 10:00 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 10:30 p.m. and only students with tickets will be allowed to enter. Tickets are free and will be given out according to year. Seniors and juniors will be allowed to get tickets on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from noon to 2 p.m., sophomores and freshmen on Weds. Oct. 13 from noon to 2 p.m., and finally law and grad students on Thurs., Oct. 14 from noon to 2 p.m. There will be 1,500 tickets handed out, which is the capacity of the gymnasium.
There will be school spirit items given out. If students are wearing their gold “Crazy Bobcat” apparel, a 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 10:45 p.m. to kick off the night’s festivities. 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 in between 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 go to the west basket and give to have a slam dunk contest.
The night is designed to help get moral 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 from the school. It will be madness.
