With their minds set on March Madness, Saturday night had a little different kind of madness in-store for the 2012-13 Drexel men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Midnight Madness event put on by the DAC Pack packed the DAC for a night of music and rallying behind the teams.
Drexel women’s head coach Denise Dillon address the Midnight Madness Crowd. (Aubrey Nagle/For Philahoops)
The women’s team came out dancing in front of a raucous crowd after the mood was set by some club music mixes from DJ Sliink and Dirty South Joe. The video playing behind them showed highlights from last year’s team that won its first postseason game in school history. With the team lined up on both sides of the stage, head coach Denise Dillon stepped out and pleaded for a similarly enthusiastic to attend their home opener on Nov. 14 versus Saint Joseph’s.
Drexel coach Bruiser Flint speaks at Midnight Madness. (Aubrey Nagle/For Philahoops)
After the women’s team left to wild applause, the introduction to the men’s team began with a video montage saluting last year’s successful run, coach Bruiser Flint’s CAA Coach of the Year award, and Samme Givens’ final career stat line. However, the video ended with mention to Drexel’s snub from the NCAA Tournament last season and ultimately declaring this year “The Revenge of the Dragon.” The players showed off their dance move and got the crowd fired up for Flint’s entrance onto the stage. Flint thanked the crowd for coming out to support the teams and declared that this was the year that the Dragons would hang some banners in the DAC.
Chiddy from Chiddy Bang surprises the Drexel Midnight Madness crowd. (Aubrey Nagle/For Philahoops)
Both teams waved thank you to the crowd and handed the mic over to Master Shortie, an up-and-comer from London. Shortie did not come alone though. Proving the earlier social media rumors true, Shortie welcomed former Drexel student and musical artist Chiddy from Chiddy Bang. The DAC burst into a frenzy, which perfectly set the stage for the final act of the night.
Drexel men’s team huddles around a dancing Tavon Allen. (Aubrey Nagle/For Philahoops)
The madness was capped off by a performance from electronic pop sensation Dev. Keeping the beat down low but the madness high, Dev rocked the DAC and had the crowd wishing that opening tip-off was coming as the encore performance. Tip-off is less than a week away for the Dragons, and they surely hope to keep dancing all the way to the big dance.
Kevin Rossi
Great article and awesome to see Philahoops cover this event!
Thanks! And thanks for reading!