UAFS To host ‘Midnight Madness’ on Oct.14

story by Jonathan Gipson, sports information director for the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Area college basketball fans will soon get an early opportunity to see the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Lions and Lady Lions basketball teams in action at the Stubblefield Center, but they’ll have to stay up late to do so.

The UAFS athletic department will host Midnight Madness from 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Stubblefield Center. Admission is free, but members of the UAFS Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be collecting donations for the local Make-A-Wish Foundation.

This night of fun and festivities will include the annual homecoming “Yell Like Hell” competition and several prize-winning games and drawings for the fans throughout the night. There also will be free tacos from Hardee’s and Red Burrito.

This will be the third season of NCAA Division II competition for the Lions and Lady Lions, who are now full-fledged members of Division II and eligible to participate in postseason play for the first time.

Last season, the Lions and Lady Lions finished the Heartland Conference regular season with the best record in their respective divisions, but neither was eligible to win the conference title or participate in postseason play because of their provisional Division II status.

The Lions, who finished last year 19-10 overall and 10-4 in conference play, boast a roster that is 13-players strong and includes three returning starters. The Lady Lions, who finished last year 21-5 overall and 11-1 in conference play, feature a roster that is 13-players deep and includes three returning starters.