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Smells like team spirit

As part of the night’s events, prizes totaling over $3,000, including a free semester meal plan and free textbooks, were awarded to lucky contestants
Brien Shanahan - Sports Editor

Becky Gillard/Athletic Department
7-foot Alaskan freshman center Nick Billings goes sky-high in Friday night’s slam dunk competition.

The West gym was packed with more than 2,200 students, alumni, local residents and administration on Friday, October 12 in a celebration marking the first allowable date that NCAA Div. I basketball teams around the country can practice.

The celebration kicked off at 10:30 p.m. and continued until well past midnight. Those who attended were treated to face painting, indoor fireworks, food, music and numerous giveaways. The event culminated at midnight, when the men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced to the Bearcat faithful and showcased their talent on the court.

The women’s squad demonstrated passing, shooting and two-on-two drills. The men’s team followed with a crowd-livening slam dunk contest, won by six-foot-six Minnesota native Andy Hannan.

Hannan beat out the two other finalists, seven-foot freshman and last year’s Alaska player of the year Nick Billings, and six-foot-six junior Jeffrey St. Fort. Hannan lit up the show with an alley-oop dunk from a backwards bounce pass through his legs and off the glass.

“We really appreciate the support we got tonight,” said St. Fort. “We wanted to put on a good show for our fans.”

Brooke Kelly, a senior on the women’s team, noticed how campus support has grown since she was a freshman. “The recognition of playing in Div. I is exciting, I’m glad have gotten a chance to be a part of it.”

Kelly expects a lot from the team’s eight freshmen this year and in coming years. “We have a lot of young players who will make an immediate impact for us...the future is bright for our team.”

The Bearcat Spirit teams were also big part of Friday’s events. Performances by the Cheer, Dance, and Kickline teams at home games will have major roles in boosting the spirit of players and fans this season.

Cheer team coach Derrick Veasey said, “we try to promote the teams, and get people hyped about Div. I. We’re looking forward to this year.”

As part of the night’s events, prizes totaling over $3,000, including a free semester meal plan and free textbooks, were awarded to lucky contestants. One contestant in the “Sodexho Meal Plan Shootout” was impressed with the turnout of the night.

“I went to the Rutgers University Midnight Madness last year, and our’s was much better,” said Freshman Josh Diamond. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming basketball season, and am definitely going up to Syracuse for the men’s game this year.”

Binghamton travels to Syracuse November 16 to play the nationally recognized Orangemen team.

Like a growing number of students, Freshman Vesh Srivatana also plans to “check out some games this year.”

Also awarded on the night was the university’s first student of the year, junior men’s tennis player Sylvain Ruest. Ruest, who carries a 4.0 cumulative grade-point-average in mechanical engineering, was awared a $1,700 scholarship, along with a plaque and a $500 gift certificate from the University Bookstore.

“This Madness has been our best yet”, said women’s basketball coach Laurie Kelly, “Its keeps getting better every year, and we just hope the turnout carries over to our home games.”

Coordinators of the event, Dave Simek and Bete Anne Gaube, credit the turnout to extensive promoting on campus. “We’ve been trying to get the word out about our teams this year, and students have been responding with enthusiasm, said Gaube. “The interest is there,” added Simek, “but now we need to do well in Div. I to keep it.”

During the festivities, men’s coach Al Walker responded with a promise to the fans—“This team will make a statement in Div. I.”