Students and Southwest Florida basketball fans will have a first opportunity to watch and interact with the 2017-18 men’s and women’s basketball programs at Dunk City After Dark, FGCU’s “Midnight Madness style” tip-off to the basketball season, Thursday, Oct. 26 at Alico Arena.
Hoops and Halloween — featuring free food, trick-or-treating, poster signings and family fun — begins when doors open at 6 p.m. Children 12 and younger are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes as Dunk City After Dark and Hoops & Halloween will again be blended into the same event. Prizes will be awarded to those with the best costume, and children in costume will have the opportunity to trick-or-treat, take pictures and participate in a parade around Alico Arena with Azul the Eagle and the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Presented by The Reef and sponsors Coconut Point Ford and Wells Fargo, the main event begins at 7 p.m. and airs live on ESPN3. Admission is free. Food will be provided by featured sponsors: Applebee’s, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Culver’s, Jimmy John’s, Miller’s Ale House, Mission BBQ, Moe’s, Papa John’s, Pita Pit and Tropical Smoothie.
Season tickets and individual game tickets will be on sale at the event, as well as the opportunity to join the Eagles Club and secure other membership benefits like preferred parking and VIP events.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be introduced and celebrated following historic seasons. The event will include a brief look back at the 2016-17 season, a 3-point contest and the much-anticipated dunk contest.
Highlights of the evening include two students each having the opportunity to win the Coconut Point Ford Dunk City Mustang by making a half-court shot, and one student attempting a half-court shot for free in-state tuition. Additional prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.