Binghamton University’s annual Late Nite Madness is set to kick off tonight at 10 p.m. in the Events Center. The event introduces the Bearcats’ men’s and women’s basketball teams and includes various competitions, festivities and performances for students to enjoy.
Late Nite Madness is a joint effort of the athletic department, Late Nite Binghamton and the Student Association, and will be free to all students. Free T-shirts will be handed out starting at 9:30 p.m., when the doors open.
“During the 90-minute event, both basketball teams will take part in a Shooting Stars competition, followed by members of the men’s team competing in the slam dunk contest,” according to Jason Siegel, senior associate director of athletics. “The dunk contest is sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts. Festivities will include performances by the Bearcats dance team, cheer team and Kickline as well as the University Pep Band. In addition, a trampoline dunk team, the ‘Extreme Team,’ will entertain the crowd.”
The event will also provide a unique chance for the students to connect with Binghamton’s athletes and have fun while doing it.
“Students can expect the chance to win prizes, meet the basketball teams and to get a feel for what the basketball season is going to be like this year,” said Jennifer Keegin, associate director for Campus Life and supervisor of the Late Nite Board.
“Late Nite Madness is a fantastic event that really brings all the students together to celebrate our basketball teams,” said Student Association President Adam Amit. “I think it’s a great opportunity to come down meet a lot of people, see the teams in action before the season starts and there are a tremendous amount of activities.”
According to Siegel, the event will follow the traditions of previous years, but also have some new twists as well.
“Structurally it is very similar to last year and the previous year,” he said. “One-and-a-half hours long, fast-paced, lots of music, contests, prizes, free T-shirts — but every year is different: different contests, new music from the pep band, brand new dance, cheer and kick routines, different prizes, more chances to win [and] new entertainment.”
“The event is tweaked each year to make it fresh and keep up the fast pace and excitement of the event,” Keegin said.
There will also be a Madness After Party hosted by Late Nite following the event.
“Everything at Late Nite is always free,” said Keegin, “So students should check out the video games, live music, food and etc. in the Undergrounds (which is located in the basement of University Union South).”
Despite the recent controversies swirling around the men’s basketball program, Amit hopes that this will not negatively impact the event.
“Now more than ever, we really need to show our teams that we support them,” he said. “This is our University, these are our Bearcats and we’re their biggest fans. I would really love to see all the students [attend], especially freshmen and sophomores, to come out and see the team, see how exciting our athletics really will be this year.”
Keegin echoed the same sentiment. “We’re hoping that students will rally around the women’s basketball team and give support to the newly formed men’s team,” she said. “We’re not sure yet what the crowd size will be, but with all the different students participating in this event (the basketball teams, the Spirit Squads, the Pep Band, the contests with audience members) we’re hoping that their friends will come out and support them.”
“Every year and every game and every event is different,” Siegel said of program attendance. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to plan a night of entertainment for BU students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community. We hope that everyone who comes enjoys the program … As a Binghamton alum who graduated in 1990, I can say I wish we had events like this back then. It’s an opportunity for the campus community and local community to enjoy a fun night out.”