The basketball season has kicked off for colleges all over the nation with Midnight Madness, including the University of New Haven. A day of excitement and cheer started off with a bang as students piled in to watch the 2013-2014 season announcement of Men’s and Women’s basketball teams.

Midnight Madness was held Thursday, Oct. 17, and doors of the Charger Gymnasium opened for students at 7:40 p.m. Upon entering they got a free t-shirt and raffle ticket to attempt the half-court shot for a $10,000 scholarship. A band comprised of UNH students, Macaroni Mafia, played classic rock songs by bands like Mötley Crüe as students found there seats. Seating was separated by class level, each respectively instructed to wear a different color to represent their year.Junior Dan Davies took over on music at the start of the event. The star spangle banner was sung by Nicole Belanger, and when she hit the high notes, the crowd went absolutely crazy. But then the song ended and the lights went down and the reason everyone showed up was finally here; the teams came out.

First the women’s team was announced with great cheers. Shortly after the men’s team came out and had a huge standing ovation, as they pumped the crowd, and themselves, up as each one was announced respectively. After both teams were announced the Men’s team put on a show dunking and ally-ooping to each other, getting everyone on their feet. Then they had an inter-squad scrimmage, which again was a blast for everyone while the team dunked and shot three-pointers.

When the team finished up, the Monsoon team came out to perform, which was the start to a great lineup of dancers including the dance team, the 5, 6, 7, 8 dance team and the number one in the tri-state area; UNH step team, which was a mind blowing performance that brought the crowd to the edge of their seats. Charlie the Charger also got involved with the dance and the crowd was yelling and jumping in enjoyment. The women’s basketball team did another dance routine that was a fan favorite, and has become a staple in the Midnight Madness event here at UNH.

To end the night, the raffle ticket was pulled for the half-court shot, which was won by Jennifer Mazzie. She didn’t want to try to shoot it, but was dragged out by her friends. When she actually took the shot she just missed by a couple of feet.

Then the night came to an end and another successful UNH Midnight Madness was in the books.