Mesa College held it’s first Midnight Madness on Oct. 15. Midnight Madness is a collegiate event, which is used to identify the beginning of the basketball season. It represents the first legal day in which teams are allowed to hold organized practices.

In its first year, Midnight Madness was a success, filling Mesa’s gym with approximately 100 spectators, a mixture of fans, students, and parents. The hour-long event showcased a dunk contest, three-point shootout and a head to head scrimmage between the men and women’s team.

“I was pleased with the first Midnight Madness. It was a good way to develop some team unity. It was great for the men and women to do this event together,” replied Ed Helscher, head coach of the men’s team.

Sophomore Mark Jeffries was the winner of the dunk contest. For the men and women’s teams, sophomore Johnny Del Bene and freshman Kim Martin were the winners of the three-point shootout.

“The dunk contest was great,” expressed women’s head coach Michael Hootner. “All the fans had the numbers seven through 10 printed out for them. After each dunk everyone held up a number. It was great. Some turned the nines into sixes while some took the 10 and folded it in half to make it a one. It was hilarious.”

A $300 gift package was offered in a skills challenge. In this challenge, you were to make a lay-up, a free throw, a three point shot and a half court shot in order to win the package. The contestant made a lay-up and a free throw. As a consolation, he was given a free large pizza from Papa John’s.

“Midnight Madness turned out great. We exceeded my attendance expectations by about half. If I had to change anything, I would hold the event on a Friday and propose a collaboration with the Associated Students to have a dance right after. We also could’ve possibly had media coverage if we would’ve informed them sooner. Overall if I had to grade the event I would give it an A-,” concluded Hootner.