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Volume 38 Issue 4
October 17, 2000

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Few fans attend MCC’s first Midnight Madness

BY CHRISTY MILLER
FOR THE MESA LEGEND
Submitted October 17, 2000

In an effort to generate fan interest, the MCC men’s basketball team held Midnight Madness on Oct. 1, in the Theo Heap Gymnasium.

The event started at exactly 12:01 a.m., due to guidelines preventing the team from officially practicing before Oct 1.

Midnight Madness  is a  long-running tradition at college basketball programs around the country. Most include slam dunk contests, a team scrimmage and fans that are excited  basketball has returned.

MCC’s Midnight Madness had the dunks and the scrimmage, but lacked the fan support.

First-year head coach Alton Lister brings 17 years of experience as an NBA player to the team, along with great enthusiasm for coaching. 

“This is going to be a great season,” Lister said.  “We have committed kids that are hard workers, both athletically and academically.”

Although the attendance for Midnight Madness was disappointing, Lister said he  understands it will take some time to establish a fan base. “The purpose of this public practice is to involve our fans. We want to generate fan interest, especially that of the students.”

Lister believes that fan interest will help push his promising team to higher levels throughout the upcoming season.

The slam dunk contest was won by Michael Shepston, a 6-1,  200-pound sophomore, who is expected to play a vital role this season.  Other strong performers include Chris Kruidenier, a 6-8, 235-pound freshman, and Sultan Strong, a 6-9, 325-pound sophomore.

“This is a new era for T-Bird basketball,” Lister said. “I’m really excited we were able to get a jump on the practice schedule.  Our team has great energy and I’m looking forward to a successful season.”

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