Aaron Johnson – Sports Editor
Music blasted as the crowd filed into the Moore Field House on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University. All in anticipation of the first Midnight Madness event, introducing both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
“We tried to pull it off last year,” said Eric LaCharity, assistant director of Student Life. “But the timing was a little off. That’s why we did the first spring pep rally. But we didn’t get to do a midnight madness. So this year it was really a target of ours to kind of celebrate the basketball teams.”
The madness started with introducing both squads to the students, administration, and faculty on campus. Students were able to compete for prizes through different contest during the night. Athletic Director Jay Moran said he is excited about the upcoming season and is looking to both teams to have a strong season.
A great night in Owl Nation! Thanks to all who came out to Midnight Madness! @SCSUtweet @SCSUBlueCrew pic.twitter.com/wlgZxn19jr
— SCSU Athletics (@SCSU_Owls) October 15, 2014
“We got preseason number two in the country,” he said. “We have a great men’s program and a women’s program that is much improved and their going to show a lot of people in this tough league that they’re in. It’s exciting. Look at the crowd for the midnight madness. Owl nation is alive.” After introductions, both teams participated in two inter-squad scrimmages to show the university the skills that will be on display this year. Junior forward Jackie Beathea said after seeing the impact the crowd’s enthusiasm had the team had to put on a good show. “We’re sitting here shooting and everything just to help get the crowd hyped,” she said. “We want make sure everyone feels like they’re welcome and ready for the season.” Head men’s coach Mike Donnelly looked around the field house at all the students cheering and yelling and he could only smile and shake his head in excitement. He said seeing the students again reminded him of how great student sections during the run to the Elite Eight last season.
Here they are, your 2014-15 basketball student-athletes as announced at Midnight Madness! @SCSUtweet @SCSUOwlsWBB – https://t.co/oA14WBRZNS
— SCSU Athletics (@SCSU_Owls) October 15, 2014
“It’s great,” Donnelly said. “It honestly brings me right back to last year. The last month of the year was how it is right now. Every day was exciting to be on campus. We had such a good run. The whole school seemed to rally behind us. Even when we came back from Indiana the school threw us a welcome party and that was incredible for the guys.”
Both men and women’s teams have been thankful for all the support that they have received coming into this upcoming season. LaCharity said the student-athletes are always so gracious for everything that the school does for them.
“It’s so amazing to see how appreciative the student-athletes are for the things that we do,” he said. “It’s like even the little things too. I know how appreciative they are because you can see it.”
Men’s basketball senior guard and co-captain Luke Houston said he really enjoyed the night and that it was a lot of fun to see not only the support of the students, but also the excitement that is on campus surrounding both the men’s and women’s team.
“It was great,” he said. “I thought we had a really good turnout. The fans and the cheerleaders were amazing. The girls’ basketball did a good job. I had a lot of fun. Having everyone be able to come here and just support us and it really just promotes us and the girls’ basketball team and helps us get ready for the season.”
