Tuesday, Nov 8, 2011
The sun will rise on a raucous Alumni Gym “White Out,” when Rider takes on Drexel as part of ESPN’s 24 Hours of College Basketball marathon at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15.
by Sean Ramsden
While much of the Eastern Time Zone is dunking donuts in their morning coffee, Rider’s men’s basketball will be looking for dunks in their 6 a.m. tilt against Drexel in Alumni Gym, part of ESPN’s 24 Hours of College Basketball on Tuesday, November 15.
That’s right, 6 a.m.
In what’s become an annual rite of fall, the cable sports giant will herald the start of the college basketball season by televising the 24-hour marathon of games, with Rider hosting Drexel in the surprisingly coveted 6 a.m. time slot. And while many hoops fans will be able to watch the game over their orange juice and eggs, the Rider community is expected to fill Alumni Gym to capacity for the “White Out,” a visible show of support to back the Broncs in which fans will receive a white Rider basketball T-shirt and a white rally towel.
“Students and employees are encouraged to join the fun and show ESPN viewers our school spirit and pride by helping us pack Alumni Gym for live TV that morning,” said Don Harnum, director of Athletics.
In addition, a variety of pregame activities are planned for all fans from 3 to 5 a.m. in the SRC, with music provided by 107.7 The Bronc, contests, games, face-painting and sign-making stations, and prizes.
Rider students won’t need to leave the SRC or Alumni Gym area between these activities and the game itself as ARAMARK will serve food as part of the “Breakfast with the Broncs” promotion, beginning at 4 a.m. “Breakfast with the Broncs” is for students only and they will need to swipe their Rider ID in order to receive breakfast.
Faculty and staff can pick up their two complimentary general admission tickets ahead of time in the Department of Athletics office in Alumni Gym from Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please note that you must have a Rider ID to pick up your tickets and that you will not be able to pick up tickets for someone else. Additional tickets are available for purchase.
The Rider-Drexel game will be the fourth game of the day, which begins at 12:01 a.m. that morning when Washington State meets Gonzaga. Rider’s appearance on ESPN will follow the 4 a.m. South Alabama-Hawaii game and precede the matchup of Morehead State and the College of Charleston at 8 a.m.
The Broncs begin their season this weekend with a swing through western Pennsylvania. They will meet Robert Morris on Friday, November 11, before a 6 p.m. contest against nationally ranked Pitt on Sunday, November 13. The second game can be seen on ESPN3.