Midnight Madness Draws Huge Crowd to Celebrate New Season

Every year, college campuses celebrate the day that the National Collegiate Athletic Association allows formal basketball practice for each season. Howard uses their Midnight Madness celebration to begin the homecoming festivities. TaLisha Sevilla, sophomore English major, enjoyed the late night festivities with her friends.

"I always thought that Midnight Madness was a homecoming event. Now I realize what its real purpose is which made the night more fun," Sevilla said.

The event was fun for most of the people who attended which included heavy representation from all classifications and majors. It was nearly spoiled by a minor altercation; professors Deborah Johnson and Denise Saunders-Thompson silenced the audience and reminded Howard students of their duty to remain professional at all times. Host Jae Murphy and DJ Chubb E. Swagg incorporated a gospel segment in their musical repertoire to lighten the mood, which kept students focused on enjoying the event rather than the unnecessary fighting

Fortunately, the festivities continued and featured performances by Tropical Riddimz, the Bisonettes, Billy Bangs, and Caddy Da Don on the new Burr Gymnasium floor. Howard students were very excited throughout the evening with representation from many student clubs and organizations. The half-court-shot contest and shooting contest prepared the audience for the presentation of the basketball teams.

At around 11p.m. the teams were brought out on the court to participate in their first official practice of the season. The women's team stepped on the court first; last year their record was 16-18. The crowd went wild as the men's team stepped on the court, their record last year was 6-24. This year with new coach, Kevin Nickelberry, the Bison are ready to improve the overall statistics. Nickelberry was appointed as head coach in the May 2010.

Deanna Dixon, sophomore chemistry major, was anxious for the players to come out. "I was jumping up and down, clapping, and dancing the entire time," Dixon said. After the players cheered and danced together on the court, they shot around the baskets to show their skills to the audience.  Dixon also said, "All they did was come out and shoot around. I wish they would have had a dunk contest or done something more with the players since that's why we are here in the first place."