midnight madness

SoCalHoops Recruiting News

Midnight Madness--It's Spreading
From Pepperdine To UCI, Fullerton--(Oct. 14, 1998)

In answer to the many questions we've been receiving about "Midnight Madness" events here in SoCal, USC and UCLA are not having Midnight Madness. USC had been scheduled to have such an event, but it was dropped last month for reasons known only to the athletic department. UCLA has not had one in recent memory, but they do have a "Fan Appreciation Day." And according to Steve Alas, who maintains the "Unofficial Bruin Basketball Site" (which is really great, check it out):

In observation of Midnight Madness, CBS SportsLine and FansOnly are teaming up to host an all day long event featuring live chats with a number of college coaches. Steve Lavin has been gracious enough to be among the coaches participating in this online chat. The day long event is this Friday, Oct 16, starting at 7:00 am (PST). Coach Lavin is scheduled to be live, online at 11:00 am (PST). Please be courteous, supportive and any criticism should be constructive. Let's show coach we're behind him and the team 100%. The schedule is on both websites, with minor discrepancies.

And very often we find out about events just by reading the Message Forum here at SoCalHoops, and that's exactly where we heard about the spread of Midnight Madness from Pepperdine to some other local area schools. We had heard about and previously attended Pepperdine's "Midnight Madness" and this year, the event will take place this Friday night, starting at about 11:00 p.m. The men's and women's teams will be introduced and then starting at midnight, they will take to the floor for some intersquad scrimmaging. Pre-scrimmage festivities will include the usual stuff, three-point contests, slam dunk contests, students shooting from half court for tuition and more. It's really a blast, and if you've never been, then you should come out to Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu.

Cal State Fullerton will also hold it's own version, called "Basketball Madness". Their official press release says the event will be held October 16, 1998, starting at 10 p.m. in Titan Gym, and they urge fans to also come out to watch the volleyball game against Nevada at 7:00 p.m. The press release further says:

Experience the MADNESS as we tip-off the CSF men's and women's basketball season.

Festivities Include:

- First 250 people in attendance get a free Double-Double coupon from In-N-Out Burger
- CSF students will shoot to win fees and books for one year
- Prizes thrown out to the crowd all-night
- Live entertainment by Harley, mascot for the WNBA Utah Starzz
- $100 gift certificate to B.J.'s Pizza Grill & Brewery to the winning student organization in our Musical Chairs Contest
- Introduction of the 98-99 Men's & Women's Basketball squads at midnight
- Performances by CSF Cheer squad, Dance squad, and Varsity Band
- Finals of student's: 3-on-3 tournament, 3-point shooting, slam-dunk contest

Free Admission!!!
Call (714) 278-CSUF for more information.

UC Irvine is also holding it's own Midnight Madness event.The UCI release is a little shorter than Fullerton's:

The UCI basketball teams open the 1998 practice season with "Midnight Magic" this Friday night in the Bren Events Center. A dance, sponsored by ASUCI, will begin at 9:30 p.m., followed by student contests at 11:30 p.m. The Anteater basketball teams will be introduced at midnight with a three-point shootout, scrimmages and a slam dunk contest to follow. Admission is free.

With the NBA out of action, this is going to be a great time for college basketball, and you won't want to miss these great tip-off events.