Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by Raleigh Burke

Are you ready?

By Jaci Downey

Fri. Oct. 21 began the beginning of basketball talk at Virginia Wesleyan College. Midnight Madness hosted by W.A.C. was a preseason pep rally for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. As the students started to crowd into the Batten conference center, the night started off with the introduction of the basketball teams. The lady Marlins went first for the night. The team passed the microphone down the line and introduced themselves to the crowd.

“It was a really good showing of enthusiasm for the up coming season and the turn out was a pleasant surprise,” said head Coach Stephany Dunmyer.

After the ladies went though introductions it was the men’s turn. Having been ranked fifth in the nation this year the men came out with the crowd going wild. First senior Marques Fitch introduced himself and then his fellow team members.

“We just wanted to have fun with it and not take it too seriously. It is a team tradition to make up nicknames for each other and I just introduced the guys that way,” said Fitch.

“It was something new this year and it was cool letting the guys get out there and have fun, while getting the crowed into it,” said senior P.J. Foster.

The cheerleaders came out hyping up the crowd even more, and performing a dance piece plus a cheer, while Bob the Marlin ran on the side lines. The crowd got into in, but the stands were not as full as a regular season game.

“I thought it was really good, but I think it would have been better if more students came out to show their spirit,” said freshman Alex Hatcher.

The step team also performed at the pep rally to start the season’s celebration. Showing their new team members and coming back for their second season performing at the basketball games.

In between the performances it was the students turn to get involved. There was a whip cream pie-eating contest, and the first person to blow a bubble won a prize. Sophomore Chelsey Barrett and junior Lindsey Churchill inhaled the whip cream to find the bubble gum and won the contest. There was also a shooting contest for the students to win prizes in.

During the whole event one thousand dollars worth of prizes were given away including an iPod. As the students cheered and welcomed the season on, the night commenced sending everyone waiting for opening tip-off Nov. 18.