Are you ready for basketball season? The wait is almost over, and Texas Wesleyan is throwing a party to celebrate.

"Midnight Madness" is coming to the Sid Richardson center on Saturday, Oct. 12, and in addition to seeing the men's and women's basketball teams practice for the first time, fans are going to be treated to giveaways, music from 97.9 The Beat, a slam dunk competition and more. Doors open for the event at 10:30 p.m., and teams will hit the court at 11 p.m. 

"We want to make it as big of an event as possible for as many people as possible," said Trent Sandles, a senior marketing major and one of the event's organizers. "We want to open it up to everyone, including family members, staff, faculty, prospective students, current students; really anyone who has an interest in Wesleyan."

The giveaways include 300 T-shirts, noisemakers and Monster energy drinks, which will come in handy for party-goers who typically have earlier bedtimes.

In his second year of involvement with the event, Sandles is excited about the impact "Midnight Madness" will have on the campus.

"It not only benefits the players throught the season because they know they can take pride in their sport and they have the support of the fans, but it builds morale throughout the university as a whole," said Sandles. "It gives students something they can take pride in as well."

Big weekend for soccer, too

If you're ready to support the Rams before 10:30 p.m., you can get started earlier in the day when the men's and women's soccer teams have their "Pink Out" games and cookout to support breast cancer awareness.

Both teams will take on Southwest Christian University at Martin Field, with the women starting at 5 p.m. and the men scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.