FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – A Dell Latitude laptop and two $1,000 tuition stipends are among the giveaways up for grabs at the University of Montevallo men’s and women’s basketball Midnight Madness event Thursday, Oct. 17, which will feature the unveiling of the new Freddie the Falcon mascot.

A total of $2,700 in prizes are on the table at Midnight Madness.

A cookout sponsored by Housing and Residence Life will begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Midnight Madness will officially get underway at 7 p.m. inside Trustmark Arena.

The Dell Latitude laptop will be offered to the student body through a raffle drawing. A pair of students will also be selected randomly through a raffle drawing for a chance to make a half-court shot for a $1,000 tuition stipend.

Free t-shirts and rally towels will also be handed out to students in attendance. The first 400 students will receive a t-shirt sponsored by the Student Government Association celebrating the return of Freddie the Falcon.

The event, which is sponsored by the Student Government Association and Student Life along with the Athletic Department, will feature introductions of the 2013-14 men’s basketball players, women’s basketball players and cheerleaders. Freddie the Falcon will make his debut performance in his return during the event.

Midnight Madness will also include competitions involving fans in attendance before wrapping up with several prize giveaways and a Freddie Foto Booth, where fans can have their photo taken with Freddie the Falcon.

Zach Banks will serve as the event’s official DJ. Members of the SGA will serve as MCs during the event.

The event will also serve as the kickoff of the University of Montevallo Friends of Athletics “Coming Home” weekend, which will feature an alumni golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 18 and the induction of the 1966 men’s tennis team into the Athletic Hall of Fame and the unveiling of the Hall of Champions on Saturday, Oct. 19.