When entering the Sports Center Arena, fans dressed in white and sporting blue glow sticks found the arena lit by blacklights. The pep band, formally introduced as the Screaming Eagles, played on instruments illuminated with LED lights. This was the start of a new kind of event—Blacklight Midnight Madness.
 
While Eagle Mania in August focused on the Eagles soccer and Lady Eagles volleyball teams, Midnight Madness showcased the Eagles and Lady Eagles basketball teams. At the start of the event, the Drum Line took center court, their performance punctuated by glowing special effects paint and light-up props. Their spectacle was just the start of a series of exciting spotlights.
 
The first team introduced to fans was the Lady Eagles basketball team, followed later by the Eagles basketball team. After introductions, players separated into two teams, white and blue, and faced off in scrimmage matches that showcased their skills on the court. The crowd remained engaged throughout the games, each side cheering on their team with each point scored.
 
Between games the Blue Crew, a tumbling team that instills excitement at games, impressed the crowd with their acrobatic flips and stunts. "A lot happens weeks in advance—conditioning, team building, and goal-setting. We create a routine that involves each player and then break the routine down so that individuals can work on their skills. Then we put it all back together and smooth it out with timing and spacing," said Blue Crew coach Justin Ludka.

Eagles player John Clay (Jr., NC) has looked forward to this rally each year. "It's a time to put away all the stress from classes and come together as a team to have fun with the fans for the first time," he said. "All the freshman guys don't know what the atmosphere here is like so it's a time for them to get acquainted with our incredible fan base."
 
Throughout the scrimmages, Eagles coach Mark Goetsch and Lady Eagles coach Jared Sellars took a relaxed seat on the sidelines, giving play-by-play of each game. Each coach praised different player's strengths, mentioned interesting stats about them, and shared their thoughts on upcoming games, opponents, and championships.
 
"I enjoy the event because it gives our team an opportunity to scrimmage in front of the fans—a game-like environment and get some of the nerves of that setting out before it is a real opponent," said Coach Goetsch. "Players enjoy it because of the opportunity to play in front of their peers, have a good time, and showcase some basketball. Earlier, it was designed around a scrimmage, and the game took center stage. Now, we're trying to incorporate Eagle Rewards, fan interaction, Blue Crew, the pep band. [It has] more of a pep rally feel."
 
After the scrimmages ended and winners were announced, the excitement was far from over. Fans were surprised by a new kind of competition—the Ultimate Eagles Championship! The two-versus-two inflatable jousting event led to fan participation, allowing a few to test their skills—mostly their balance. Eagles fans were told they can try it again at the Eagle Pride Tailgate, an appreciation event for fans who attended a majority of the Eagles home games during the playing season.
 
To end out the night, fans enjoyed an unexpected rivalry on the court—a mascot standoff between Eagor and the Chick-fil-A cow. Each mascot tried their hand— talon and hoof?—at inflatable jousting, but with Midnight Madness giving Eagor a home advantage, it was an easy win for the eagle. In good sport of his loss, the Chick-fil-A cow dropped certificates from the ceiling for fans to exchange for Chick-fil-A items at The Palms.
 
Fans can look forward to cheering on each of their basketball teams in the weeks ahead! The first Lady Eagles game will be on November 2 and the first Eagles game on November 4.
 
Let's go, Eagles!