Midnight madness at UF?

[runswithbulls]

Do they have a midnight madness type event here at Florida or a glorified practice of some sort for fans to kick off the season?

[tupacbiff]

Midnight madness is beyond stupid and UF wisely chooses not to hold it anymore.

[runswithbulls]

Ok, thank you

[REM08]

Originally Posted by runswithbulls

Ok, thank you

In case you're new around here, tupacs opinion isn't necessarily representative of everyone else's - he would happily agree with this. There seems to be a pretty good split over this. I'm in the camp that says its dumb not to have something like this unless there just wouldn't be enough support to pull it off. Rarely should you pass up a chance to bring attention to the program - IMO.

[themistocles]

The Gators used to do Midnight Madness, but stopped a couple (or a few) years ago.

[Osiris_DPM]

The above is not true re: UF Midnight Madness. It depends on other obligations, and how the coaches feel about using the practice session. They have not completely abandoned it, and it will happen again. I am not certain, but it may happen this year.

[ugaGator]

Originally Posted by REM08

In case you're new around here, tupacs opinion isn't necessarily representative of everyone else's - he would happily agree with this.

This is hilarious because runswithbulls has more rep than tupac even though he's got 100x less posts.



Quality of posts, eh?

[tupacbiff]

I won't be able to sleep tonight. I didn't realize my rep points I am legitimately hurt.

[kygator]

Rep points are beyond stupid and Tupac wisely chooses not to hold onto them anymore.

[67walkon]

MM was fun, but kind of pointless. The best part was usually the volleyball game before MM. Women's volleyball at UF is really an awesome sport! Then the guys would do some drills and maybe play a little. But it was fun.

I remember one year when Matt Walsh and the Swedish guy who bombed out (Chris whatever) were new and we were trying to figure out which one was which. I thought the white guy who turned out to be Matt looked to be the better of the two.

[gatorcal]

Originally Posted by Osiris_DPM

The above is not true re: UF Midnight Madness. It depends on other obligations, and how the coaches feel about using the practice session. They have not completely abandoned it, and it will happen again. I am not certain, but it may happen this year.

I don't think it's happening this year unless they plan on throwing something together in a hurry. First day of practice is later this week!

[ArtVandelay]

Originally Posted by REM08

In case you're new around here, tupacs opinion isn't necessarily representative of everyone else's - he would happily agree with this. There seems to be a pretty good split over this. I'm in the camp that says its dumb not to have something like this unless there just wouldn't be enough support to pull it off. Rarely should you pass up a chance to bring attention to the program - IMO.

tupacbiff has a reputation beyond repute

[bullish]

It takes some effort to bring MM to Gainseville, Fl. Some marketing/bus MBA's looking to make something special before they go out and work for a living could do something great. Concerts before the Madness, meet the team and get autographs, Dunk contest, shooting accuracy contests, introductions and moderators talking to the players, broadcast out. At Midnight a quick fullcourt practice. Introductions of any new committments or players looking to possibly go to Florida. A little money to put it on from the University/ Alumni assoc.

We have a basketball team, but we only promote the Football team. Two straight final eights, two Nat'l titles in the last ten years. I feel the team would prosper in national awareness and would help with attracting stars. Everybody likes fun events, and if carefully planned, it could be the best one in Div.1. Billy is too wrapped around recruiting and coaching to put this on his shoulders. Again let students plan it with the athletic dept's ok and start with getting an annual event that could make other schools jealous.

But the answer to your question, we don't do this. Attempts we made 10 years ago were weak without much thought. We can do better, but it's football season, so we just practice to get ready for the season. As long as we are near the top, we won't change, because like Pavlov's dog or Tupac, we do the same thing over and over.

[ArtVandelay]

Midnight Madness isn't what it used to be around the whole country. It's not just UF. They used to have 5 or 6 schools on ESPN and do the half-court shot for a scholarship. It's a really cool event for the fans, but it seems the schools don't see the benefit.

[Osiris_DPM]

Originally Posted by gatorcal

I don't think it's happening this year unless they plan on throwing something together in a hurry. First day of practice is later this week!

My bad, I spoke incorrectly. I checked again and was told (by someone who would know) that there was a good chance it will happen next year, not this year.

[bullish]

Osiris, DPM does Billy let anyone else get involved in the entertainment part of the event? just wondering.

[Osiris_DPM]

You mean outside of the program? What in particular are you wanting to know and I'll see what I can find out.

[tupacbiff]

In the pas it was strictly hoops no entertainers. The other problem was they tried to incorporate the womens team which does not nothing but kill the energy.

[bullish]

Osiris, yes outside of Billy, his assistants, and the athletic dept., students would be the best way to get this thing going. Gator Growl for Football, Midnight Madness for the b-ball program. Entertainment, a fun event for both the athletes and the fans. TV would help, getting local areas schools involved with their all their students let in free, all basketball teams wear the same shirt from their school get special treatment from the Gators. Maybe even a Univ. sponsored concert from a popular band the students all have a concensus on.

To me, things said like forget about MM just going to use it for practice time I think is selfish from the standpoint of getting students and fans involved in a great program. Let's not fall in the rut of taking out all the fun in the athlete and students life. They have come to Florida for a great education and program and would like to see the University give back to the students both at Florida and locally.

If we don't sell out every home game, then why not try to get some new fans?

[gatorbogey]

i liked when we did host the midnight madness the first few times i went...however it did get quite trite and it was always contrived. what i'd really love though, is an opportunity to watch a genuine practice. i'd love to watch the true drills, the coaches working w/ the players. everything. would love to witness the genuine 'thing'. would love for donovan and the gators to host their first practice in the o'dome and let the general public attend.