On Friday, Oakland University officially began the college basketball season with Midnite Madnezz, a pep assembly and celebration of OU’s student athletes.

The event began with entertainment and an outdoor block party, before moving indoors to the O’Rena.

A packed house cheered on all 18 of Oakland’s sports teams with raucous applause. Detroit Pistons’ mascot Hooper and The Flight Crew dazzled the spectators with their high-flying antics.

Fans were treated to free giveaways thrown into the stands by the school administrators and professors.

Then, around 11 p.m., the lights dimmed and Bachman–Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business” blasted through the sound system of the O’Rena. A video montage of last season’s basketball highlights of the men’s and women’s teams began playing, showcasing the best of both teams in 2008.

With a smoke machine billowing and the lights still dim, OU basketball public address announcer Kevin Beers began to introduce both rosters. Starting with freshman Travis Bader and ending with seniors Hanna Reising and Derick Nelson, the men’s and women’s teams were alternately introduced.

Head coaches Greg Kampe and Becky Francis then spoke to the fans about last season’s home success and how it will continue to give the Grizzlies a true homecourt advantage if fans attend the games in large numbers.

With the way both teams came so close to winning the Summit League, OU basketball has adopted the slogan “Finish It” for the upcoming season.

The women’s team begins with an exhibition game Nov. 1 while the men’s team begins the season with an exhibition game Nov. 10.

For photos of Midnite Madnezz, visit our flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoaklandpost/sets/72157622606741740/