University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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mm mm game I mm 01:21 At the beginning of Midnight Madness, Star Sixty Nine performs before the teams take the court. Photo by lose Ote' 0 One of the many activities of the evening was a shoot- out contest for the fans. Young fans play on the court before the strike of midnight. Photo by lose Otero Students and fans pickup the annual basketball schedule for the 2003-2004 season. Photo by lose Ote'ro MIDNIGHT MADNESS

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THE WHOLE NIGHT WAS AWESOME. THE STEP CONTEST SET TI-IE TONE. -BLAKE QOLDFARB SOPHOMORE Gator fans young and 01d came together to celebrate at the festivities of Midnight Madness and to wish the basketball teams the best of luck on the upcoming seaons. Junior Lindsey Lipsky enjoys the night with her little sister. Photo by lose Otero 18 MIDNIGHT MADNESS MIDNIGHT MADNESS The most exciting countdown 0f the year was pakced with over three hours of entertainment for man anxious fans of the Gator basketball teams. Midnight Madness, a yearly tradition signaling the Official start of basketball season, was held October 17th in the O'Connell Center. It was comprised of many activi- ties leading up to the long awaited, first official midneight practice session of both the men and women's teams. Pre-basketball activities began at 9 pm. whent he doors Offically Opened to the public. Activities included a concert performance by local band Star Sixty Nine and an autograph session with the palys and coaches of both teams. There was also a step show with various fraterni- ties and sororities. Blake Goldfarb 2L8. Basically the step contest set the tone for the rest of the night. By 11 o'clock there was still more in store for the fans. Companies like Dodge, Papa John's and Alltel sponsored activi- ties of their own such as a shoot-out con- test for a Dodge truck, a sumO-wrestling contest and a shoot and seek cell phone contest. At 11:59 pm. the crowd was ready for the countdown, lead by a performance by the Dazzlers. One minute later the events of the night had advanced to the time everyone had been waiting for. The women's team was introduced, while throwing autographed basketballs t0 the fans. Later, Billy Donovan, head coach of the men's basket- ball team, led the team out onto the floor. They were introduced to the same Cheering crowd and began with i drills, scrimmages and a slam dunk contest. By the end of the night basketball fans were looking forward to the start of a great season. Stephanie Murdoch The whole night was awsome, said i The Rowdy Reptiles gather for an early reunion at the O'Connell Center. The fans dawned the Orange and Blue in support of their favorite team, the Gators. Photo by Jose Otero Men's basketball players sign auto- graphs for anxious fans. Both groups anticipate and successfull season. Photo by lose Otero

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ft f 3 f r' rx li';. :';3 :V:.;;i:;!,v fixjx QV'wa'xinht Eml'i l l l l M X l X1 J wawa U 'J Ll Ll VLj'x V x:, '7 73 ffxiy Easy :ikj ll UAJ '74: a U A hypnotist wows the crowd as he and his volunteers prepare for some mental trickery. Photo by lose Otero 20 GATOR NIGHTS NIGHT TO BE A GATOR NIGHTS Every Friday 'night, a group of UP students, from the Office of Student Activities, put on an event for those Who prefer a less crowded and laid back atmosphere. The Gator Nights staff works hard year round to organize amazing nights filled with a variety of activities and goings on. Aside from the typical movie, shown in the Reitz Union Cinema, Gator Nights patrons can also enjoy pool, bowling, food and a number of other activities, that in the past have included: a hypnotist, funky labels, moon walks and a country-themed night. I'm really impressed With the hard work and effort that helps make Gator Nights a success every Friday night, said senior Steve Cohen. Whever I want to hang out with some friends, grab a late night snack or play a couple of games of pool, ljust call up some of my buddies and meet them at the Reitz Union. One of the primary goals of the Gator Nights staff is to make each Friday night unique so that students want to come back week after week. Once, they even brought in live animals and put hay all over the union and N orth Lawn for the complete farmhouse look. Another element that makes Gator N ights so unique is that fact that it has been an on campus tradition for many years. Students have been flocking to the Reitz Union on Friday nights for as long as most people can remember. This year, the Gator Nights staff looks forward to another year of fun nights filled with interesting activi- ties for all students who are interested in coming out. -Gordon Van Owen