Midnight Madness 2012

This year’s Midnight Madness kicked off with a rush of enthusiasm, UCR Spirit and plenty of dancing. One of my favorite parts of Midnight Madness is the celebrated UCR spirit you find amongst the crowd of students, faculty, staff, athletes and of course, Scotty.

Scotty is such a charmer! Always a fan favorite.

This year the crowd was as spirited as ever. The UCR Highlander Girls and Cheer Team performed impressively in front of a cheering crowd. Regardless of how many times I see the Cheer Team effortlessly lift girls up in the air, I always get nervous for them, quietly whispering “Don’t fall. Don’t fall. Don’t fall.” They are truly a talented group!

Both the Highlander Girls and Cheer team were clad in official UCR gear that was generously provided by the UCR bookstore. They later threw out free t-shirts into the crowd as well. Free things!

These girls are amazing performers!

The UCR Highlander Girls and Cheer team were only the beginning. The Women’s Basketball team, clad in brightly colored tutus, performed a well choreographed dance to quite a few popular songs that I unfortunately did not recognize. You didn’t have to know the songs to enjoy their performance, but whatever little degree of coolness I thought I had immediately dwindled at this realization. However, the Women’s Basketball team oozed coolness.

These girls rock those tutus. Red nail polish person in front of me agrees.

The Men’s Basketball team was up next and although they didn’t come in wearing tutus, they did dance just as well as the girls. They came out into the gym rocking T-shirts and cargo shorts to a sweet, soft ballad. After a quick yet comical change of music, a few of the boys walked into the audience scouting for willing participants. Three girls were brought up to the front and were serenaded in dance by the ENTIRE MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM. Lucky.

Pictured: Not a dream sequence.

After an exciting performance, the announcer let us know that they would be presenting each team. What followed was a series of competitions and display of great skill among both the Women and Men’s Basketball teams.

The 2012-2013 Women’s Basketball team.

The Women’s Basketball team started the competition off with a series of lay-ups that also included a short cone obstacle course and assist from a teammate. The winner was #21 Chelsea Jacoby with an astonishing lay-up that was completed in less than 10 seconds.

The Men’s Basketball team completed their competition with a dunk contest. Various members of the team competed with impressive dunking skills while Hylander Hype judged the contest.

“Don’t mind me. Just being awesome here.”

The Winner was ultimately #24 TJ Burke with an amazing dunk that beat a previous 360 dunk before his attempt. In short, it was pretty incredible.

The judge panel: Hylander Hype.

The night ended with chants, cheers and the UCR fight song led by Hylander Hype. Various students put up their R’s and cheered enthusiastically as Midnight Madness came to an end. It was definitely a fun way to get ready for Basketball season come November!

-Cecilia