OPINION & EDITORIAL
Hoop Madness
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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
- Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
- $$FC (December 6, 2007)
- In a bind (December 5, 2007)
- Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Admit one? (November 4, 2004)
- Athletic Department boxes fans out (November 9, 2004)
- Gratitude and appreciation (March 9, 2004)
- New ticket policy destroys tradition (April 30, 2007)
- Make them pay (October 27, 2004)
by Badger Herald Editorial Board
Thursday, October 9, 2003
A little more than 2,000 men’s basketball student season tickets
sold out for this upcoming season, and did so before the end of
last semester — the fastest ever at UW. Freshmen did not even have
the opportunity to buy tickets. 35 days before seats were assigned,
students lined up to get courtside tickets to cheer on one of
Wisconsin’s most successful athletic teams from up close.
With the rise of UW’s basketball program as one of the nation’s
premier programs and with the continued and unyielding support of
fans, we are brought to only one conclusion: UW should start the
season out with a bang by hosting a session of “Midnight Madness.”
Midnight Madness would be a great opportunity for the players to
start the season with a practice at 12:01 a.m. Friday night, Oct.
17. This event would be held during Homecoming week when school
spirit is already high and would give the fans a great opportunity
to welcome back veteran players, meet the new players, and
demonstrate the support students have for the team. Typically, the
event includes contests for fans, an appearance by the band,
cheerleaders, Bucky of course, an introduction to the team and a
brief scrimmage. The free event would be a great way for the
athletic department, and the basketball team specifically, to thank
the fans for their loyal support through the good times and the
bad. Midnight Madness would also be an opportunity to introduce
fans to the women’s basketball team and its new coach, Lisa Stone,
building a greater fan base for UW’s women’s basketball program.
Such an event would also give the program the added benefit of
receiving national attention and would put the program in the
national spotlight it deserves, similar to Kansas and Kentucky.
According to Sports Illustrated, almost one-third of all Division I
schools hold Midnight Madness.
At most schools, Midnight Madness is the ultimate pep rally for the
diehard and moderate fans alike. And why shouldn’t UW students be
excited for the upcoming basketball season? After a trip to the
NCAA Final Four and back-to-back Big Ten Championships in just the
past four seasons and a pre-season No. 5 ranking for the team this
year by Lindy’s College Basketball Preview magazine, what
self-respecting UW student wouldn’t be excited for the potential of
Bo’s 2003-04 Badgers?
The dedication of fans and the sheer number of fans who are buying
tickets and waiting days, weeks and even more than a month in some
instances, to get premier tickets to athletic events is
unprecedented at UW. Students are arguably more connected to UW
athletics now than ever before, and the No. 1 College Town ranking
by Sports Illustrated only spurs this dedication. The athletic
department and basketball program have indicated a remarkable
amount of interest in finding creative ways to thank students for
their support and generate excitement for the program. Saul
Phillips, director of men’s basketball operations, has invited
student feedback on the issue. He says student interest and
feedback is important and the possibility of hosting Midnight
Madness could become a reality in the not-too-distant future if
fans believe it would be important. Send him an e-mail at
sep@athletics.wisc.edu and let him know students want to see
Midnight Madness come to Madtown.
