Fright Night showcases men's, women's basketball programs
Goblins, princesses and a few pirates filled McGuirk Arena Thursday as the men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted their annual Fright Night.
More than 600 people attended the event which showcased Central Michigan University basketball programs. Thursday night’s event featured a skills competition, slam dunk contest and performances by the CMU Dance Team.
The night began with the men’s team clad in white tuxedos and maroon vests, and their female counterparts participating in a dance-off at mid-court.
Both groups performed choreographed routines, but the women’s team emerged as the crowd favorites.
Men’s Coach Ernie Zeigler said a main reason for this event is to get the fans excited for the season.
“I am very pleased with the turnout and think that it was extremely successful,” Zeigler said. “I think we’re looking forward to having a whole lot of fun here in McGuirk.”
The skills competition began the basketball portion of the night, with teams consisting of two basketball players and one CMU student. A series of cones were laid out around the court, which participants had to weave through while dribbling, before going on to make a 3-point shot.
Junior guard Jalisa Olive and freshman guard Austin McBroom won the title.
Sophomore guard Derek Jackson received four 10-point scores from judges to win the slam dunk competition with his between-the-legs windmill dunk.
Jackson said he had practiced the dunk a few times, but had never done it in front of such a large crowd. Jackson also said Fright Night was a great chance to get out and show the fans the hard work the team has put in.
“It’s fun to come out and have fun,” Jackson said. “We have been putting a lot of work in at practice so it’s good to get them (the fans) hyped for the season.”
Students were not the only ones in attendance — Mount Pleasant residents came out in costume to celebrate the start of the basketball season as well.
Former CMU employees Larry and Dawn Dennis were in full costume while attending their first Fright Night event.
“We always try to support the basketball programs,” Dawn said. “This gave us a good warm-up for the Halloween weekend.”
Larry said although this was their first time attending Fright Night, they have been attending CMU games since the '80s.
Children in attendance received candy-filled bags and participated in a costume contest.
Thursday’s event was not only to introduce this year's teams, but to also kicked off their 2011/2012 campaigns that will begin with the women hosting Northwestern University on Nov. 11, and the men to follow on Nov. 12 against Ferris State University at McGuirk Arena.
