BYU Basketball Tips Off Friday at Fifth Annual Midnight Madness

PROVO -- The first chance to see the 2000-2001 BYU men's and women's basketball teams will be late Friday evening as the Cougar teams tip off their official practice season at the fifth annual BYU Midnight Madness in the Smith Fieldhouse. There is no charge for admission but seating is limited, with the doors opening at 11 p.m. Early entrance V.I.P. seating is also available at 10:45 p.m. to fans who pick up a V.I.P. ticket at Hogi Yogi or attend the BYU women's volleyball match earlier Friday against Air Force at 7 p.m.

Midnight Madness, which will be hosted by KSL television's Alema Harrington, will have the theme M:NC2A (Mission NCAA), as both the men's and women's teams are starting seasons with the potential to earn NCAA tournament berths. The event not only serves as an opportunity for fans to get their first look at this year's BYU men's and women's basketball teams but also provides interactive contests that allow fans to participate and take home money and prizes, such as a $2,000 computer system guaranteed to a lucky winner or a shot at $10,000.

"Midnight Madness is the season-opening party for our basketball teams and a lot of fun for the fans," Mike Deaver, partnership marketing director for BYU, said. "It gives the teams a chance to showcase themselves to the fans and it gives the fans a chance to get to know the players and coaches while participating in some fun contests and giveaways. We've had to turn people away in recent years because we fill the Smith Fieldhouse."

There will be 6,000 Krispe Kreme donuts given to fans while they last and a chance during the event to win free Krispe Kreme donuts for a year. A variety of contests and prizes for the fans including the UCCU Twirl and Hurl for Cash, Champion Car Care Musical Chairs, Teriyaki Stix Sumo, The Canyons Ski Scramble, Gold's Gym $10,000 shoot-out, Adeya Computers free throw contest and Mad Dawg Cycles Slam Dunk Survivor contest.

The Mad Dawg Cycles Slam Dunk Survivor competition gives each contestant a chance for one dunk before the fans will vote for one person to be removed from the competition. The competition will proceed until there is only one person left. Tryouts for Slam Dunk Survivor will be held Wednesday at 10 p.m. at the Smith Fieldhouse.

The men's and women's teams will both scrimmage and coaches from both teams will address the crowd. Other events involving the teams include a three-point shooting competition between the men's and women's teams and a slam-dunk contest between members of the men's basketball team.

Last year, the 5,000-plus fans at Midnight Madness were able to see the potential of newcomers Terrell Lyday and Erin Thorn, who both went on to led their teams in scoring and to post-season tournament berths. Both coaches are excited about the chance to participate in Midnight Madness again this year.

"We're ready to get underway this season," BYU women's basketball coach Trent Shippen said. "We've got returning stars that include All-American Erin Thorn as well as some new faces and transfer students. We were delighted to finish last season with an appearance in the NCAA Tournament and we're looking forward to going there again this season. We want to make it a tradition in our women's program."

The men's team also looks forward to the start of practices and anticipates putting an exciting product on the floor for BYU fans when the season begins in mid November.

"This is an exciting event for our players and for the fans, especially the students," BYU men's basketball coach Steve Cleveland said. "We really appreciated the support we received from the student-body last year, especially in our two NIT wins. I hope this event gets people excited and committed to coming out in bigger numbers this year because the students really are a key sixth man on our team. I think the fans will enjoy watching the players we have on this year's team. We have an outstanding group of talented new players joining many of our key contributors from last year, including Terrell (Lyday) and Mekeli (Wesley)."

The M:NC2A Midnight Madness activities will also feature performances by the Cougarettes, the BYU cheerleaders and Cosmo. Sponsors of the event include Adeya Computers, Champion Car Care, Gold's Gym, Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix, Krispe Kreme, Mad Dawg Cycles, BYU NewsNet, TGI Friday's, The Canyons, Utah Community Credit Union and Verizon Wireless.

Midnight Madness Outline (times are approximate except gate openings)

10:45 -- VIP gate opens

11:00 -- Regular gate opens

11:25 -- Welcome

• Cougarettes performance

• Cheerleaders performance

• Cosmo introduction

11:45 -- Team introductions (men's and women's)

• Contest #1 (Teriyaki Stix Sumo Challenge)

12:08 -- Women's basketball team scrimmage

• Contest #2 (UCCU Twirl and Hurl)

• Men's team vs. Women's team 3-point shooting competition

• Contest #3 (The Canyons Ski Scramble)

12:33 -- Men's basketball team scrimmage

• Men's team slam-dunk contest

• Contest #4 (Champion Car Care Musical Chairs)

• Contest #5 (Mad Dawg Cycles Slam Dunk Survivor)

• Contest #6 (Gold's Gym $10,000 shootout)

• Contest #7 (Adeya Computers Free Throw contest)

1:05 -- Closing remarks