By Hope Cronkright

Your LIfe Editor

 Enthusiasm and anticipation drew around campus for Thursday, Oct. 8.

At 11:00 p.m. in the Hansen Athletic Center, the men’s and women’s basketball teams celebrated the kick off of their upcoming season with Midnight Madness.

Every year the event follows Mudbowl and lasts about two hours. It includes free games, prizes, and events throughout the night. The first 500 students in the door receive free T-shirts. 

Junior Grace Knott said, “Last year it showcased the Cornerstone community very well.”

Midnight Madness showcased both 2009 basketball teams for the first time in action this season. At midnight, a five on five inner squad scrimmage was included as one of the events during Midnight Madness.

“Playing [at] midnight [during Midnight Madness] is a huge adrenaline rush,” said senior point guard Corbin Donaldson. “It has really gotten [the team] excited for the season. It gets the whole Cornerstone community excited for the season.”

Dave Grube, athletic director, and his sports management class started preparing for the event weeks in advance. “Each person in the class is part in charge of different responsibilities,” said Midnight Madness staff member Nick Tolsma.

The school budgets the money spent at Midnight Madness every year but sponsors such as Applebees and Krispy Kreme also make the event possible.

A few changes are in store from last year’s Midnight Madness. Last year the basketball team made their entrance with music playing in the background that each player chose themselves. This year however, the introductions are being changed up.  Freshman point guard Kathy DeYoung said, “We get to have a ten second video when we run out.”

“I am ready to get going,” Donaldson said.

 The girls on the basketball team have the same feeling.

 DeYoung said, “I am pretty much just ready to tear it up.”

Oct. 9 marks the day practice begins for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams and an official start to the season.

The weekend of Sept. 25, both of the basketball teams went on a retreat. During that time, they discussed their overall goals for this upcoming season.

The men’s basketball team has set high goals for this season. “Our overall goal is to make it to the national championship in Missouri. We want to be the best in Grand Rapids and the best in conference.  We want to be champions every day in practice,” Donaldson said.

 Freshman point guard Alexa Hensler said, “Our goals are pretty much the same.”

The first men’s game takes place on Nov. 6 at the Goshen Tournament against Grandview at 7pm and the women’s team opposes Hungington College Nov. 3 for their first game of the season at 7pm.