PHILADELPHIA (10/04/02) - Although the official start of the 2002-2003 college basketball season takes place on Saturday, October 12, the date when NCAA Division I programs can commence practice, Saint Joseph's University basketball fans know that the real start date for the season is Midnight Madness. This year, "Madness" on Hawk Hill will take place inside the friendly confines of Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse on Thursday, October 17. Fans of SJU basketball will be treated to a carnival atmosphere at this year's event that commences at 8:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Among the pre-basketball activities will be sumo wrestling, jousting, carnival game booths, a velcro wall and a bungee bull. Radio station Mix 95.7 will be provide entertainment, as well as a local area band. At 10:00 p.m., fans move into the Fieldhouse as the basketball fun begins. First up is a foul-shooting contest featuring one member of each Hawk varsity athletic team, excluding the men's and women's basketball teams. Following the foul-shooting contest and the University's new athletic logo will be unveiled at center court on the Fieldhouse floor. At 10:25 p.m., Comcast SportsNet's Dei Lynam, who will serve as the master of ceremonies for this event, will introduce of the members of the men's and women's basketball team's (10:25 p.m.). A two-ball competition with members of the basketball teams follows the team introductions. The evening concludes with a lucky student participating in a three-point thrills contest in hopes of winning a mustang convertible. SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY MIDNIGHT MADNESS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Thursday Evening, October 12 8:00-10:00 - Carnival starts - Sumo wrestling, Jousting, 5 carnival game booths, a Velcro wall, bungee bull * Mix 95.7 & local band 10:00- 10:10- Foul-shooting contest (Dei Lynam MC) 10:15-10:20 - New Hawk Logo unveiled 10:20-10:25 - Coaches Martelli & Griffin address the crowd 10:25-10:35 - Basketball Teams Introduced 10:35-10:45 - Cheerleaders/Dance Teams perform 10:45-10:55 - Two-ball contest (varsity basketball players) 10:55-11:00 - Three-Point Thrills Contest 11:00 - Madness Ends schedule tentative (as of 10/04/02)