Sept. 25, 2008

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The 2008-09 college basketball season will open on Friday, October 17 at Providence College's annual Late Night Madness in Alumni Hall. Admission is free and doors will open at 9:30 p.m. The event will be streamed live online at www.friars.com. The athletic department will be offering this live video stream free of charge.

The first 1,000 fans to enter Alumni Hall will receive a 2008 Providence College Late Night Madness t-shirt. The WEEI Waterboys and Watergirls will be in attendance with special giveaway items for the fans.

With the doors opening at 9:30 p.m., the Late Night Madness festivities will kick off with both Jon Hope and John Xavier performing until 10:00 p.m. At that time, Providence College Student Congress will host games and other entertainment to get the crowd ready for the team's introduction at 11:00 p.m. Some of the other highlights of this year's event will be a three-point shooting contest for the fans with members of the men's and women's basketball teams and talent events hosted by Providence College Student Congress. Throughout the evening Disc Jockey DJ Finesse will be playing music to entertain the crowd. The general public is welcome to attend free of charge. The seating for the event is on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to wear black and white attire to show your support for the team.

At 11:00 p.m., men's basketball Head Coach Keno Davis will lead the 2008-09 Friars onto the court for the first time where the team will perform several drills, including three-point shooting, a slam dunk contest and other skill tests.

For more information on Late Night Madness, call 401-865-2733.

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