 Freshman Sarah Ingbretson (21) from Castle Rock, Colo., shoots during the men's vs. women's teams three-point contest as sophomore Molly Baker (12), Independence, Ore., and freshman Katelyn Nussbaum (22), Union, Mich., wait their turns. |
 Freshman forward Joey Atkinson (#23), Edmond, Okla., elevates for a dunk during the men's inter-squad scrimmage at Midnight Madness. |
October 8, 2007
Hesston College’s first ever Midnight Madness began at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, September 30, when the doors opened to Yost Center on the college campus welcoming more than 250 students, faculty, staff, parents, and community members. The event signified the start of Larks basketball, which officially began at midnight October 1. The men’s and women’s basketball programs, along with the college’s campus activities board, joined forces to make the night happen.
The Hesston College “Screamin’ Larks” pep band played as free t-shirts, sponsored by Citizens State Bank and Atomic Sports, both of Hesston, were handed out to the first 100 attendees through the door. Refreshments were also provided courtesy of Hesston Food Market, Druber’s Donuts of Newton, and Lincoln Perk of Hesston.
“I really wanted a free t-shirt,” said freshman Kendall Wenger, Hesston. “I arrived outside Yost [Center] 30 minutes before the doors were scheduled to open thinking I’d be one of the first 100, but it wasn’t soon enough. It looked like some students started camping out early; they even had grills and lawn chairs set up.”
The festivities got under way at 11:35 p.m. with a performance by the “Bill’s and Norma’s” student spirit squad who provided the crowd with a light-hearted skit. Shortly thereafter, the lights went down and to the surprise of the crowd, a disco ball and theater-style spotlights illuminated the gym floor. The night’s emcee, Charles Hostetler, Hesston College’s assistant director of admissions, then introduced the men’s and women’s players, who entertained the crowd with an array of dribbling exhibitions and moves on their way to the basket.
Sophomore Roxanne Stauffer, Beaver Crossing, Neb., from the women’s team, along with sophomores Mike Reece, San Antonio, Texas, and Marlon Dominique, Donaldsonville, La., from the men’s squad addressed the crowd and encouraged fans to continue cheering them on throughout the season.
“The crowd plays a big role in our success,” said Reece, a forward on the men’s team. “I know it elevates my game to another level when I hear them pulling for us. It also makes it hard on the other team when our fans are [cheering] loud.”
The schedule of events also included inter-squad scrimmages, student participation shooting contests, and a three point shoot-out between the men’s and women’s teams. The night culminated with a slam dunk contest, won by high-flying freshman guard Carlton Dean of Edmond, Okla.
“The purpose of the event was to get the campus of Hesston College excited about the upcoming men’s and women’s basketball season, and I believe we accomplished that tonight, “said Men’s Basketball Coach Tim Swartzendruber. “Both the men’s and women’s teams are coming off of strong 2006-07 campaigns and there’s a lot to look forward to this year.”
According to campus activities director Brent Brockmueller, a number of people worked hard behind the scenes to bring it all together, including Doug Peters in Campus Facilities and Gary Oyer in Media Services. Brockmueller also acknowledged the many local businesses that provided giveaway-prizes, including Skoops, First Bank, D’Angelo’s Pizzeria, and Subway, all of Hesston. The two grand prize winners of the night each received a 50-dollar gift card to the Hesston College bookstore.
“Midnight Madness was a lot of fun,” said freshman Audrey Sayles, Siebert, Colo., a guard on the women’s team. “It got students in the mood for basketball. They can’t wait [for our home games].”
The first home game of the season for men’s and women’s basketball is November 8 against Tabor College Junior Varsity. The women play at 6 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 8 p.m.
Hesston College Men's and Women's Basketball