PNW hosted its fifth annual Late Night Madness event, celebrating the start to the new Pride basketball season, on Oct. 19.

The event was held at 9 p.m. in the FRC. Many businesses in the area were there to help sponsor and cheer on the Pride basketball team in the start of its new season.

Rick Costello, athletic director, said he thought there was a good turnout at the event. Approximately 1,000 students attended.

“It just goes to show how much support the students of PNW have for their fellow students and how much love this community has for these sports as they enter Division II,” Costello said.

The night began with routines performed by the Pride dance and cheer teams and an introduction to the members of the 2017-18 Pride basketball teams. The students then participated in their own games for a chance at many prizes, which were sponsored by PNW Alumni Committee.

All students who attended were given tickets for free food and a ticket for the raffle. Some prizes that were included in the raffle were a PlayStation 4, 4k Television, Beats by Dre headphones and a pair of Chicago Bulls tickets. Two students were picked to compete for each prize in a free-throw contest. Students were also encouraged to compete in a dance contest, tug-of-war and many other games and activities.

The PNW Pride basketball teams kick off their new season on Nov. 10 when the women’s basketball team heads to the Lady Miner Classic hosted by Missouri S&T and the men’s team competes against Rockhurt University at the Westville campus.

The students that came were able to enjoy free food and beverages, complimentary of the cooperate businesses that sponsor the Pride basketball team. Food was provided by Chick-Fil-A of Merrillville, Jimmy Johns, Wendy’s, PNW’s own Chartwells dining, and McDonalds, which brought Ronald McDonald to help get the students in the spirit. The students who got there early also got an extra gift, as the first 500 students inside got a free Late Night Madness T-shirt.