Hoops games are still weeks away, but plans are already underway for Dunk City After Dark, FGCU’s Midnight Madness meet-and-greet.
Presented by The Reef, the rally starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27 in Alico Arena and will be shown live on ESPN3.
The evening will serve as the unofficial tipoff to the 2016-17 men’s and women’s basketball seasons. Admission is free, and it will be the first and only time the public will have an opportunity to watch and interact with the teams before their respective seasons begin a few weeks later.
More detailed and finalized information will be released as the date draws closer, but the night will commence with a pre-event mingle on the floor with both teams from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Fans will be able to shoot baskets with members of both programs while interacting with them in a casual, unique setting.
With Halloween weekend occurring just a couple days after Dunk City After Dark, trick-or-treating will take place for children 12 and younger around the arena from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and compete for prizes to be awarded at 7 p.m.
The main event commences shortly after 7 p.m. and will feature a 3-point contest, two-ball competition and the ever-popular dunk contest. Additionally, fans in attendance will have the opportunity to showcase their skills by competing in selected events alongside and against members of both teams. There will be a $5,000 half-court shot contest and a shooting series to win a customized Dunk City Ford Mustang courtesy of Coconut Point Ford.
This marks the fourth-consecutive year Dunk City After Dark will be featured on either ESPNU or ESPN3 as part of Midnight Madness coverage.