CSULB teams get wild

By Eric Boyum, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 15, 1998

Madness has arrived at Cal State Long Beach.

"Rockin' the 'Mid," the first annual Midnight Madness for the men's and women's basketball teams will be held in The Pyramid at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday. The event will showcase the players and coaches of both teams during their first practice of the season.

A pep rally was held Wednesday on Upper Campus in front of The Nugget to promote student awareness of the upcoming season. The rally included player and coach introductions and a speech from CSULB President Robert Maxson.

"We are going to have some great teams," Maxson said "Let's all come out and support these guys."

"We will be the new and improved 49ers," said Reta Sula, a women's Big West Conference All-Freshman Team player last year.

The men's team is lead by Head Coach Wayne Morgan, the women's team by Head Coach Dallas Boychuk.

The rally concluded with a dance performance by the Long Beach State cheerleaders and newly-renamed school mascot Prospector Pete.

Doors to The Pyramid will open on Friday at 11 p.m., with tip-off at one minute after midnight.

"Traditionally programs that have been successful use Midnight Madness to kick-off the season," Long Beach State Athletic Director Bill Shumard said. "Coach Morgan and Coach Boychuk are excited about the upcoming season. It is a great way to start off the season with the student body."

The event will include a slam-dunk competition, a three-point contest and conclude with scrimmages by both teams. Admission is free for CSULB students and includes free pizza, popcorn and soda.

"We will hold a light scrimmage until about 1 a.m. and then go home and rest-up," Morgan said. "We will begin our real team practice the next afternoon."