NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University basketball teams will host "Midnight Madness" on Friday, Oct. 16 at Joseph G. Echols Hall. The annual event signals the start of the upcoming season and gives fans a first glimpse of the 2009-10 Spartan basketball teams.
 
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the event starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 for the general public, and $8 for students in advance. All tickets are $10 at the door.
 
The men's basketball team, under the direction of third-year head coach Anthony Evans, and the women's team, guided by first-year head coach Debra Clark, will be introduced to the crowd. The men's team will stage a slam dunk contest, and the women will hold a 3-point shootout. Both teams will also hold intrasquad scrimmages.
 
Several musical performances are scheduled, headlined by recording artist Lil Ru.
 
Fans will also have the chance to enter a raffle to compete in a 3-point contest with the top prize of $20,000.
 
For more information, call assistant men's basketball coach Robert Jones at (757) 823-9192.