The Madness is here

Shirts, shirts, shirts. Hundreds of white cotton balls flew through the air to screaming fans and clamoring hands. Midnight Madness was just that -- madness.

Pepsi and pizza greeted students, staff and faculty at the North Gym Friday night. The basketball band blasted "Dr. Who" and the Hornet fight song as the dancers and cheerleaders jumped and kicked to encourage spirit.

The first round of shirts was fired at the crowd of wanton students with tinsel and silly string by Slamson the Sacramento Kings mascot and Squatch, Seattle Supersonics' woolly beast revisited. They rallied the crowd with their paws flying and their rears bouncing.

Midnight ticked closer with a half-court contest for free books or a CSUS letter jacket. Neither contestant could make the long shot so officials moved it to the volleyball line for out-of-bounds. Still no basket, so they moved it closer and were now shooting for just the jacket. Dan Lane won but the jacket was too small for his large frame. The lady shooter was awarded the jacket and Lane got another prize.

Slamson and Squatch charged back in and riled the crowd again with a slam dunk contest exhibiting flips, twists and backwards leaps off of the trampoline to make the basket. Each stuffed animal tried to outdunk the other and Herkie the Hornet joined in but couldn't outslam the pros.

Next up was sumo wrestling, a hugely-popular contest in which the participants are stuffed into costumes that inhibit every motion except forward. The two wrestlers hopped around trying to bump the other off the mat but succeeded only in falling over themselves with the enormous weight behind them.

Women's hoop was introduced next. This season they bring youth and considerable height to the court. More than half of the team members are new additions and four of the six freshmen are taller than six feet.

The lady Hornets are led by senior two-time all Big Sky selection Julie Wastell. Also look for Kristin Newman at the three-point line and Michelle St. Clair at guard.

And just when the crowd thought they were our of T-shirts, head coach Tom Abatemarco and the mascots drove around the gym hurling several more shirts at the once again screaming fans. Coach "T" stopped and spoke to the fans sporting new sweats by the team's new sponsor, Adidas. He thanked the fanatic crowd for their support and spirit.

"We did this for you guys and we got a great program this season. Come out and support this team," he said.

The cheerleaders and dancers closed out the night as the lights went down and the darkness silenced the screams. But only for a minute as the spot lights flashed and the 1998-99 Hornet men's basketball team was introduced, all in good shape and eager to start the new season.

The familiar sound of the balls hitting the floor filled the gym as the team lined up and fell into place for lay-up drills.

Several players then competed in a slam dunk contest of their own showing more reverse slams and longer hang times than their stuffed friends. A scrimmage followed to showcase new moves and handling skills and to get the audience pumped up for the season.

Five members return to the Hornet roster this season, led by senior Sean Houston. Ryan Coleman, Jimmy Landry, Eric Jorrissen and David Smith join him as veterans from last year's 1-25 squad.

Nine new members will add all levels of talent to the team. Two junior transfers, Anthony Flood and Thomas Wiek, will hold up the front.

The team had six freshmen to break into Hornet hoops; Nate Murase and Rene Jacques are the two at guard position.

The Hornet season opener is November 19 at Memorial Auditorium but check out the first in their exhibition games on November 1 and 13 in the Hornet gym.

"The students should come out and see them. They're a great team," said Abatemarco.