By KAYLA ROYSTER
Contributing Writer
Madness will take over the gymnasium once again, as the annual pep rally has been reinstated.
Previously cancelled, Midknight Madness is now set for Nov. 8 in the Nolan Gymnasium. The pep rally is an opportunity to showcase Saint Rose spirit. The basketball team is announced and displayed, signifying the start of what we hope to be an amazing season, performances are made by Saint Rose’s talented dance teams, and little activities take place to get the crowd more engaged in the event.
The return of Midnight Madness brings some changes. Moving the event from a Thursday night to a Wednesday night is just one of them. This change was made in hope of having a less rowdy, and therefore safer, atmosphere.
“The event starts at 9 p.m. so hopefully even after class people may want to come over and stop in,” said Renee Kochinski, the Director of Communications within Student Association and chair of the Student Outreach Committee.
Both Kochinski and Vito VanDunk, President of SA, have devoted time and energy to partake in bringing back Midnight Madness while making the event more safe.
“In order to attend you need to bring your Saint Rose student ID. If you look as if you are under the influence you will be asked to leave” said VanDunk. There will also be an added wristband process for the event.
Both members of SA want everyone to enjoy Midknight Madness and show their school spirit, understanding that their energy needs to be contained.
“If the event was on a Thursday like it usually is more people would come support,” said Damon Coleman, a Saint Rose basketball player who is not currently playing this season. His enthusiasm for Midknight Madness includes his concern that the change of date may affect the students’ likeliness to participate.
“Other than the day of the event there is nothing else that I would change as the last couple of years I have had good experience” said Coleman.
The event was cancelled in the first place because of crowd rowdiness, as well as the athletics department feeling that the event did not properly showcase the basketball teams.
“We were told athletics was not planning it because its focus was more so on clubs” said VanDunk, of the event.
The issues were resolved when multiple groups and clubs met together to determine how to create a new and improved Midknight Madness.
“This event isn’t just about the basketball team,” said Coleman. “It’s about showing school pride and having a good time with your friends.”
Regardless of changes to the event students alike can agree on what Midknight Madness represents as a tradition, as well as why it is so important to continue.
Saint Rose student Cole Ives has attended Midknight Madness for two years in a row and enjoys how it brings all the students together and gets them excited for the start of the basketball season.
“ I enjoy being able to go out with my friends, all of us wearing St. Rose [sic] apparel and just having fun as a whole school” said Ives.
Performances at the event will include the Alana Step Team, Sabor Latino, and the Golden Nights, and the Cheerleading team
“It is an essential time in which students come together,” said VanDunk. “A time in which we showcase basketball and student clubs.”
Basketball players and SA members alike – many Saint Rose students want Midknight Madness to be an entertaining, safe, and enjoyable experience for students.
