October 28, 2009

YORK, PA – Bringing in more than 1,000 students in its inaugural running last year, one of York College’s most successful events returns when Midnight Madness tips off at the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center Oct. 30 at 9:00 p.m.

The goal of Midnight Madness is to generate school spirit among the campus community. Along with men’s and women’s basketball, the other varsity sports teams will be present to interview with the York College’s radio station, WVYC 99.7 FM, who will be broadcasting live from the event.

“It is an opportunity to gather together as a Spartan Nation and support varsity athletics on campus,” said Allison Kunkel, assistant athletic trainer and co-organizer of Midnight Madness.

Giving away prizes never hurts the generating of school spirit, either. This year, the event staff will be giving away gift cards ranging from $10 to $100 for places like Rutter’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and the York College Bookstore. The winner of the buzzer beater contest will receive $2,500, and there will also be a special giveaway at the end of the night estimated at a $500 value. More giveaways are still to be revealed.

“The idea for Midnight Madness originally started with [men’s basketball head coach Jeff] Gamber wanting to do something to improve school spirit at basketball games,” said Matt Day, director of campus recreation and co-organizer of Midnight Madness. “We then put a ‘planning committee’ together and decided to make it a pep rally for the athletic department.”

The event is based on the pep rallies Division I basketball programs use to mark the first official day teams are allowed by the NCAA to begin practices for the upcoming season. York College’s first official practice was held Thursday, Oct. 15, but in order to hold Midnight Madness on a weekend, Friday, Oct. 30, into Saturday, Oct. 31, was chosen by the event’s committee.

“Going into Midnight Madness last year, we really had no idea what to expect. We weren't sure if we were going to get 100 people to attend or 500 people to attend,” Day said. “It ended up being an absolute huge success. We had over 1,000 students in attendance and gave away a ton of prizes.”

Midnight Madness is intended for the entire student body and not simply sports fans. Efforts to increase the participation of students in all majors are expected to be stronger this year, including certain changes to the night’s activities.

“One change we are making this year is to add some contests that don't involve basketball so it reaches a broader spectrum of attendees,” Day said.

There will be some changes that won’t be revealed until the night of the event, Day said.

Most of the popular contests from last year, such as the student three-point shootout, will remain. The contests between the men’s and women’s basketball teams proved popular last year, sparking challenges from players for this year.

“I have to be honest with you: I don’t think the girls’ basketball team [will be] very successful [at Midnight Madness],” senior forward Jeremy Keefer said. “I don’t like their chances at all. I think we’re stronger and faster, and we shoot better.”

The support from the student body at last year’s Midnight Madness was important to the teams and made them work harder during the season to keep the support going, Keefer said.

“It’s really important that everyone comes out for this year’s event so it reaches its full potential. If we fill up this gym, it makes everyone’s time much better and definitely increases the school spirit. I’m a big fan of Midnight Madness.”

A social hour in the Courtside Cafe will begin at 9 p.m. with food and music. The doors of Charles Wolf Gymnasium will open at 10 p.m. with the night ending an hour earlier this year around 1 a.m.

 

For more information please contact Matt Day (gday@ycp.edu) or Allison Kunkel (akunkel@ycp.edu).

Feature written by Todd Shellock - York College sports information student intern