The NCAA basketball practice season officially began at midnight, Oct. 15.
That meant one thing on campuses across America: Midnight Madness. The University of Tampa was no exception.
Midnight Madness drew hundreds of enthusiastic students to the Bob Martinez Sports Center on the night of Oct. 14.
An acoustic band known as the Northern Country Boys, featuring three UT students, performed outside the building before the event.
“We just wanted to support the school,” said Chris Campo, lead vocalist .
Free food was handed out from Pizza Hut, Wendy’s and Frankies. Prizes such as gift certificates and a VIP parking spot on campus were raffled off.
“This is a party about basketball,” Gil Swalls, Assistant Athletic Director said. “Some schools just scrimmage, but we do much more. We throw a party with food and a lot of music.”
“We want to welcome our teams and bring the student body out,” said senior Meghan Lally as she patrolled one of the food tables in the lobby.
The event got underway shortly before midnight with live music and a guest comedian, followed by a cheerleading routine. The warm-up acts fired up the crowd for the main attraction, the introduction of the Spartan basketball teams.
A new lighting system was debuted at the Bob Martinez Center. For the first time, the lights could be turned on and off and spotlights could shine on the players asthey were introduced. They ran onto the floor between two lines of cheerleaders as emcee Chris Schaefer announced their names.
“I liked being able to turn the lights out,” said Richard Schmidt, head coach of the men’s basketball team. “That was different and more fun for the teams.”
The 17th-ranked Spartan women were introduced first, gathering in a circle in anticipation of the final member’s arrival.
Upon hearing her name, Gianna Messina, junior team captain, ran and leaped into the circle as her teammates fell backwards.
The men’s team had its own innovative entrances. The team’s shortest member, 5-foot-8 Rudy Jean, was carried out by two of his teammates. Freshman Ted Amendola danced his way to center court to a thunderous ovation.
“My favorite part was when the teams ran out,” said sophomore Elizabeth Fisler. “All the screaming and strobe lights hurt my head, but it was really nice.”
The teams engaged in such activities as a layup line, a three-point contest and a dance-off. Senior Anthony LaBruno impressed with his one-handed dunks, while Amendola wowed the crowd with his dance moves.
Messina won the three-point contest, winning a free dinner for a fan. All the while, the Theta Chi fraternity stood in section D of the bleachers and led chants of “UT Spartans” to boost crowd involvement.
“I would have liked for the crowd to see the teams play a bit more,” Schmidt said. “But I think it was quite a bit more entertaining than in previous years.”
“This was an exposure to basketball and so much more,” said Tom Jessee, women’s basketball coach. “We had some guests, some dancing going on. It was out of character, but great for our players.”
The head coaches of each team gave brief speeches to promote their upcoming games.
“We’re going to start a pep club in which our fans sit behind the opposing bench and raise some holy hell,” Schmidt said to the approving crowd. Organizers plan to call the group “The Schmitty Committee.”
For the final event of the evening, Schaefer chose several students to play a basketball-themed game of musical chairs.
Players ran from center court, shot layups and returned to try to find an empty chair. The winner received a gift certificate to the Tahitian Cafe.
From the participants to the onlookers, Midnight Madness was well-received.
“I liked the interaction with the people,” said Schaefer, a 2008 UT graduate. “This was an amazing event and I hope to do more with my alma mater.”
“We had fun standing on the bleachers with friends and [had] good laughs,” said senior Tina Sadarangani. “And I won a free shirt too. It was really worth it.”
“Gil and his marketing team did a great job,” Jessee said. “The teams were in front of their largest crowd and they didn’t even have a game. Now it’s up to the student body to attend our games and continue supporting us.”
