On a campus like Biola, it’s easy to assume that everyone knows everything, from relationship drama to events to sports games. But from empty bleachers to unfilled auditorium seats, this is clearly untrue. Divisions among athletes, off-campus students and residence halls merit disconnection from each other and a lack of Biola pride. The classic, tried-and-true Biola experiences do much to remedy this sense – or rather, absence, of engagement through festivities like Nationball, Punk N Pie, and Mock Rock. This year, another forgotten tradition is being resurrected as the Office of University Advancement and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) pair together for what was once a Biola signature, time-honored tradition: Midnight Madness.
A NIGHT OF MADNESS
From a gymnasium of students decked out in red to massive giveaways for those in attendance, mini competitions, dance routines, prizes and more, the night is just as it sounds: madness. Aside from athletics, the evening allows students to demonstrate pride for their residence halls and enjoy performances from the Biola Spirit Team and Dance Teams.
“We need Midnight Madness because it brings so much excitement and culture to our school,” SAAC Representative Peyton Nelson emphasized.
CULTURE BUILDING
More than any prize, the evening provides the student body with the ability and environment to meet and support Biola student-athletes, inviting them into the culture of winsome competition that Biola Athletics strives to embody. Midnight Madness is about more than just the excitement of one evening; it serves as the beginning of university-wide student connection and camaraderie. Nelson shared the significance of Biola athletics’ involvement in the evening, to give students “face-to-face connections” with their athletes, because “as a Biola family, we want to see each other succeed.”
Introducing the teams, showcasing their accomplishments, and sharing their schedules are the pinnacle moments of the event, providing athletes with the opportunity for support and encouragement, as well as providing students with greater awareness of future games and the pride of having someone to cheer for. SAAC Representative Zoe Vandergrift emphasized the objective of “introduc[ing] all the athletic teams to the whole student body and the whole school,” with hopes of “getting them involved and less separate.”
Midnight Madness also promotes awareness of and encourages attendance towards the Biola basketball teams, whose seasons begin in early November. While both the men’s and women’s teams’ home openers linger a month away, with tip-off on Nov. 9, building support begins now, with Midnight Madness on Oct. 14.
A RETURN OF TRADITION
The night of competition, prizes, and performances always aims to leave every student at Biola with a sense of connection to school pride, athletics, and each other. This year, the student body once again experienced the unity and energy from the resurrection of this decade-old event. With free attendance and easy accessibility, the event being in Biola’s own gymnasium, student-athlete interaction and community began with a bang from 9:30 to 11 p.m. at this year’s Biola Midnight Madness.
