Midnight Madness Returns on Friday
KEENE, N.H. 10/16/08 - Calling all night Owls! Keene State will hold its 12th annual Midnight Madness celebration at Spaulding Gym on Friday night. Members of the college and Keene community are encouraged to attend. Doors are scheduled to open at 10:45 p.m. with festivities getting under way at 11 p.m. The first 1800 students that come through the door will receive a specially designed “madness” t-shirt.
“This year will be a little different because the student government and organizations have spent a lot of time planning a great event,” said KSC men’s basketball coach Rob Colbert.
“Madness is a good term for it,” said KSC women’s basketball coach Keith Boucher. “I’m hoping that the enthusiasm and energy that’s in the gym on Friday night will carry over to the season.”
Program highlights include unusual contests, incredible prizes and giveaways, and performances by the KSC cheerleading and dance squads, leading up to the introduction of this year’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at the stroke of midnight.
The excitement is filtering through campus, especially when it comes to the contests and prizes, which include a $10,000 shot, spring-break and weekend trips, television and computer giveaways, and a semester package for students (meal plan, books, and a parking pass.).
Following the games, the Keene State men’s and women’s basketball teams take the floor and entertain the crowd with slam dunk and shooting contests.
Madness is something special, even for senior members of the teams. “It never gets old,” said Tyler Kathan, a senior forward on the men’s team. “The interaction between the players and fans is always fun.” “It’s the kick-off to the season,” said women’s senior captain, Jenn Kinney. “The support from the student body and Keene community is great.”
Both young teams will have members experiencing “madness” for the very first time.
“I’m pumped,” said Ryan Bourgeois, a freshman from Manchester and Trinity High School. “Some of the players have told me about it, but I want to experience it for myself. We had pep rallies in high school, but nothing this big.”
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Sara Laudano, a freshman from North Haven, Conn. “I can’t wait to see the packed gym and the enthusiastic fans.”
“Every year I realize how much the players look forward to Midnight Madness,” said Colbert. “It’s an opportunity for them to participate in one of the biggest student events on campus. It’s nice for the players to know how well they’re supported on campus and in the community.”
