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	Vol.7, No 27, October 14, 1999
	Midnight rings in basketball madness By Andres Cardenas Daily Forty-Niner Its called Midnight Madness.  However, Long Beach State will open The Pyramid with its version called  "Pyramidnight Madness".  When the clock strikes a minute past midnight Saturday morning, gyms across the nation  will explode with energy, as college basketball offically starts with its first practice. The doors to The Pyramid will open at 11 p.m. on Friday night. Everything will be free to the public, from admission, to soda, popcorn, hot dogs and pizza. College teams across the country must wait until midnight to hold their first practice as mandated by NCAA regulations that prohibit any organized team practices before Oct. 16. At the start of the season, over 300 teams invite fans from their communities to support this day.  This is the case in Long Beach. In the hour preceding the team's appearance at midnight, there will be performances by the cheerleaders, 49er dance  squad and fan-participation  The radio station KROQ will also be at The Pyramid playing music. LBSU Athletic Director Bill Shumard said he was looking forward to this season. Shumard said he hopes that both the men's and womenís teams will win the Big West Conference Tournament and receive an automatic bid into the NCAA basketball tournament. "Both teams look good on paper," Shumard said.  Shumard said that many preseason prognosticators feel that both the men's and women's basketball teams of LBSU will finish at the top of their respective divisions. Menís Head Coach Wayne Morgan said he is excited about his team this year.  "It is positive to have people behind you, supporting you," Morgan said.  Women's Head Coach Dallas Boychuk-Bolla agreed with Morgan. ìMidnight Madness is good for our athletes," she said. "To see The Pyramid packed and people cheering helps them and gets them excited for the season." Boychuk-Bolla added her players are excited to come out this Saturday morning. Shumard said over 3,000 people were in attendance for last year's Midnight Madness. This year, he said he is anticipating more people. The Associated Student Incorporated is also helping pump-up school spirit for Pyramidnight Madness by throwing a pre-party at the Nugget, starting at 8:00 p.m.		Union Fees Mandatory   Textbook tax may be tossed   L.B. City Council affirms gun control measure   Service week to begin Too many babies   Holiday for those without maps   Open space wasted Car brings excitement to University Student Union   Compilation shows many qualities of Os Mutantes   Cage Rage   Latino Heritage Month highlighted on campus   Weberg's weekend video picks are full of fright   Soccer team will try for pair of victories   LBSU hopes to take control of Big West this weekend   Midnight rings in basketball madness Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.