Midnight Madness brings bedlam back

PHOENIX, AZ - October 1: The GCU Havocs pack GCU Arena for the unofficial tip-off to basketball season at 2021 Midnight Madness.

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

The GCU Havocs pack GCU Arena for the unofficial tip-off to basketball season at 2021 Midnight Madness.

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

10/2/2021 2:05:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Paul Coro

Photo Gallery

GCU basketball seasons launch with event for thousands of students

By: Paul Coro

For a swift, solitary moment, the sound stopped at Midnight Madness.

The booming bass, cheerful chants and dripping drums gave way to quiet that was quickly halted by Grand Canyon women's basketball head coach Molly Miller's microphone scream, which reverberated like an echo from the lungs of thousands of GCU students.

A purple preseason party was a shared experience from late Friday night to the wee hours Saturday at GCU Arena, where basketball season was launched with a Midnight Madness tradition that was missed amid COVID-19 protocols last season. That wait just made for a more raucous caucus this time, as Miller and Bryce Drew, the second-year head basketball coaches, were Midnight Madness first-timers along with any GCU freshman or sophomore.

It was the type of hoops hype that backs up the renown of the Havocs student section. Drew pointed out that GCU was ranked third in the nation for "Craziest College Basketball Fan Bases" recently.

Bryce Drew

"In this space, if they were in this building tonight and if they come to games this year, there is no doubt GCU that is No. 1," Drew said.

As early as Tuesday, hundreds of students camped outside of GCU Arena with tents, couches, air mattresses, sleeping bags, hammocks and televisions on the Quad for the first chances at prime seating Friday night.

GCU sophomores Jacob Easley, Rey Hasebroock, Justin Jaworski, Vince Poppleton and Chace Varvel transported four pieces of their apartment sectional about a half-mile to GCU Arena at 1 a.m. Tuesday to set up a 96-square foot tent for the quintet.

"Last year, as freshmen, all we heard about was Midnight Madness but we also heard we couldn't have it," Hasebroock said. "To be waiting two years for it, we might as well be Group 1, make the best of it and make it the best experience."

Students filed a line that snaked through campus and were allowed inside to fill the arena's lower bowl 45 minutes before the event's midnight start. Leading up to midnight, the "Stranger Things" theme meant a throwback music mix that had bodies bouncing as much as basketballs in an arena hued in red by "Midnight Madness" logos.

That turned to purple pride at midnight, when cheer, Havocs, dancers and drumline (with two drummers playing while hanging upside down) each performed before Drew in sunglasses and Miller in a Christmas light necklace emerged.

"I've been waiting a year for this!" Miller yelled to the crowd. "This is phenomenal. You guys are crazy in the best way possible. We want to take a minute to say thank you. We are meant to be here and we're so blessed that we can do this together and share these memories. I'm so proud of the student body, our team that showed up. We're given a purpose and we're fulfilling it. What a special place to be right now. GCU is the real deal!"

The men's and women's basketball players were introduced in pairs, entertaining the crowd with choreographed dancing, special handshakes and jersey popping.

Thunder

"This is crazy," said graduate transfer Amara Graham, last season's WAC leading scorer at UT Rio Grande Valley. "This is like nothing I've experienced for. Super fun, super energetic. I can't wait to play."

Sean Miller-Moore is on the Lopes' team, but he was not much different than those Havocs sophomores when it came to anticipation for Midnight Madness. He transferred from Oregon State before last season, but was relishing his first Midnight Madness, just as several recruits did.

"I couldn't even hear my thoughts," Miller-Moore said. "The fans were going crazy and I enjoyed it. They're dedicated. We have no choice but to win. I'm trying to impress them because they've been impressing me all year. I didn't know this was like. I've never seen a crowd like this. I just want the home games to come."

Miller burned more calories than her players as she joined the Havocs' dancing and bouncing rituals from the sideline. The teams took to both ends to put on individual shows, including an annual tradition of 5-foot-11 Jovan Blacksher Jr. slamming at Midnight Madness.

The teams' seasons start later this month with the women playing a home exhibition on Oct. 28 and the men following with one on Oct. 30. Midnight Madness was the type of night that made that feel close and motivating.

"It's about including everyone and making it a wholesome experience," sophomore guard Jayden Stone said. "We're humbled to be appreciated. There is anticipation and a lot of nerves to get out there and put on a show for them and do it for the glory of God."