Sept. 30, 2014 CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago students and fans are invited to celebrate the start of another season of exciting asketball action by attending Midnight Madness at Gentile Arena on Friday, October 24. Admission to the event, which begins at 7 p.m., is free, and the program will feature a number of giveaways, including Nike gear and gift cards, free pizza and soft drinks, as well as interaction with the Loyola basketball teams.
The night will begin with free pizza and soft drinks for Loyola students at 7 p.m., in the student section in Gentile Arena.
Some of the activities planned for the event include: free t-shirts for the first 1,000 students; the random selection of three lucky students to participate in the "Shot for Tuition" contest; performances by the Loyola Spirit Teams; a dunk contest featuring members of the Loyola men's basketball team; a three-point contest for both the Rambler men's and women's teams; and the introduction of both the Loyola men's and women's basketball squads.
The Loyola men's team, under the direction of fourth-year head coach Porter Moser, returns its top five scorers from a season ago, led by sophomore Milton Doyle. The Chicago product had a terrific rookie season, averaging a team-high 14.9 points per game en route to earning both the Missouri Valley Freshman and Newcomer of the Year awards. Seniors Christian Thomas (13.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Joe Crisman provide experience and leadership in addition to their on-court production and the program also welcomes a talented group of seven newcomers.
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Sheryl Swoopes begins her second season at the helm of Loyola's women's basketball program. Swoopes has a talented roster at her disposal, particuarly with 2013 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year Taylor Johnson and 2013 First Team All-Horizon League Simone Law returning after missing nearly all of the 2013-14 season due to injury. In addition, the Ramblers welcome a solid and versatile group of newcomers, including Purdue transfer Taylor Manuel, who will be eligible at the semester break, as the team looks to vault up the Missouri Valley standings.
Both teams open the regular season at home on Friday, Nov. 14. The women's team will take on Georgia Tech at 5 p.m. before the men's squad entertains Rockhurst at 7:30 p.m.
