The Review

Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo Herb Courtney breaks to basket.

On Oct. 12 at midnight, thousands of fans poured into Cameron Indoor Stadium to watch its beloved Duke Blue Devils' basketball team practice for the first time this year. The scene was the same at many college campuses across the country, but at Delaware, the court and stands remained empty when the clock struck 12.

For the Hens' student body, it is difficult to picture what it would look like to be drowning in a sea of blue at the stroke of midnight, watching their team come out of the locker room for the first time all season.

Delaware sophomore guard Brian Johnson said Midnight Madness has very little effect on the actual performance of the players, but is a way to allow students to get involved with the team.

Johnson said the team would like to see an increase in fans at games this year, despite the fact Delaware is primarily a football school.

The football team has a solid fan base because the team is competitive in all its games, he said.

"I think this year, hopefully, when we start winning games, our students will see that we're a good team and then next year we can have Midnight Madness," Johnson said.

The Hens have not had a winning record since the 2003-04 season when they went 16-12.

He said the university has had its own versions of Midnight Madness in the past, but nothing compared to similar events at larger schools.

"I would be happy if we could rally up and have like a Midnight Madness and do the whole party thing because it would bring more excitement to what we do," Johnson said. "We would just know that people were supporting us. We would know that people are actually coming out to the games and people are going to know that we're alive." He said Midnight Madness would help to get new students involved in basketball and help place fans in the seats during home games.

Head coach Monté Ross said he does not know why the university lacks a Midnight Madness, but does not think it is an issue.

"Well, from a coach and a players' standpoint, we don't really mind that we don't have Midnight Madness," Ross said. "I don't know how important it is."

He said Midnight Madness may be somewhat of a hassle because it takes place at midnight. It would be difficult for the players to practice at 12 a.m. because they may not be able to perform the following day academically and on the basketball court.

Continued...

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