Oct. 11, 2006

The University of Texas-Pan American men's and women's basketball teams will officially tip-off its 2006-07 season with Midnight Madness festivities on Friday (Oct. 13) at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

The festivities will begin with a tailgate party outside of the UTPA Fieldhouse, starting at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude at 10:15 with the Annual Lighting of the Letters. Among the highlights of the tailgate party include the Sixth Annual Fajita and Buffalo Wings Cook-Off along with other events such as the jalapeno eating, hot dog eating and boiled egg eating. DJ Coconut Joe will be on-hand to provide music for the festivities that will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the UTPA Fieldhouse.

"Midnight Madness is a great opportunity for the student population to meet and interact with the players," said Charlie Caceres, Coordinator of Campus Activities. "Personally, I think the entire event is a blast, and the one thing that I really enjoy watching the athletes interacting with the students. It's a lot of pressure to put on an event like this, but it's completely worth it. Everything is going great right now, and it's all leading up to midnight."

When UTPA fans enter the door, they will be greeted by members of the Bronc and Lady Bronc basketball programs. The UTPA Cheerleaders and Blazer Dance Team will perform for the crowd as Tony Forina hosts the night's events. Fans will be treated to a game of Mascot Musical Chairs which will feature a variety of local mascots. The UTPA Running of the Flags will precede the annual Slam Dunk Exhibition hosted by the men's basketball program.

"Our main goal is to give the students a show that they will remember for a long time. We want them to come to the UTPA Fieldhouse, enjoy themselves with a number of different activities, show their school spirit and feel like they are a member of the Bronc and Lady Bronc family when they exit at the end of the night. We're really excited about Midnight Madness and believe that it's going to be a great way to start the 2006-07 men's and women's basketball seasons," added Joe Monaco, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations and Sports Information.

At 11:00 p.m., the women's basketball team will be introduced by Forina followed by the men's introductions. Once the clock strikes midnight, the 2006-07 campaign will be officially underway as the Broncs and Lady Broncs will give the UTPA crowd a small dose of what to expect in the new season.

After the Broncs and Lady Broncs take the floor, the evening will be capped off with the announcement of the Dance Contest, Most Spirited, Hot Wing and Fajita Cook-Off winners.

UTPA Sports Information