BY: DANIELA PEREZ LEAL/ CHIEF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Another year the LIU community came together to celebrate Midnight Madness, enjoy prizes, have fun, and meet the Women’s and Men’s LIU Basketball Roster for the season 2023-2024. An event full of emotions and happiness.
On Oct. 26, 2023, LIU Promise hosted an event that is a great time for students, faculties, family, and coaches from Brooklyn and Post campus, a time to remember and keep in the memory.
The Pre-Midnight Madness started at 6 p.m. in the WRAC Courtyard and Breezeway. All the attendees had the opportunity to enjoy free food trucks, delicious desserts such as the donut wall, prizes, game machines, and the carnival. Also, some students took the opportunity to hang out, dance, and play basketball with their friends.
At 8:30 p.m. doors finally opened for the official event and every attendant got the official Midnight Madness t-shirt. After they got into the WRAC Gym, Finley the Shark, who is the LIU's official mascot, was waiting to welcome them with the LIU Dance and Cheerleading team.
The show started with a beautiful opening performed by the LIU Dance and Cheerleading team who have been shining thanks to their choreographics and unique energy. In addition to these teams, the LIU Marching Band was also part of the night, playing songs and bringing an awesome vibe to the night.
After the opening, the most awaited moment of the night came, the official presentation of the players of the Men's and Women's Basketball teams for the 2023-2024 season, athletes who come with a good background and are willing to give their best to win.
The Men’s Team is made up of the following athletes, Eric Acker (2), Greg Kenney (3), Tre’shawn Sheppard (4), Andre Washington (5), Tana Kopa (6), Jason Steele (8), R.J. Greene (10), Terell Strickland (11), Tai Strickland (13), C.J. Delancy (15), Ahmed Essahaty (21), Nikola Djapa (23), and Gezim Bajrami (43).
The Women’s Team is formed by the athletes, De’Asia Thomas (0), Emaia O’Brien (1), Nia Santiago (2), Alexzeya Brooks (3), Kayla Tilus (4), Janessa Williams (5), Estie Varga (10), Mariah Elohim (11), Ashley Austin (12), Dia Dénes (14), Nigeria Harkless (15), Racky Kane (22), Samantha Bailey (23), Amaya Dowdy (25), and Sydni Smith (33).
All of these players had a good time during their presentation, walking around and enjoying all the applause from their friends, family, coaches and the entire LIU community who is excited for the upcoming games, having hope that the teams are going to make great in the Conference and after in the NCAA.
This was just the beginning of a memorable night. After the presentation, the raffles and contests started and some students got awards through different dynamics leading by the athletes.
In addition to the different dynamics, the dance performances continued with a student-run organization called the Creative Collective and the LIU Dance team.
To closed the night, after the Midnight Madness, all participants enjoyed the Afterparty co-hosted by LIU Promise and NPHC at the Cyber Cafe from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and it was full of prizes, food and good music.
Definitely Midnight Madness was full of emotion, and it was a perfect time to come together as a community. We wish the best for all the athletes that are part of the LIU Basketball team this 2023-2024 season, a season that undoubtedly is going to be full of success and learning.
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