Senior Kyle Cooper dunks a basketball during Hype Night.
Anders Kiledal | Collegian
This Thursday, Hillsdale College held its first ‘Hype Night,’ which introduced students to the basketball season and encouraged college-wide support of the basketball teams. Organizers modeled it off similar events designed to hype students for the upcoming basketball season at larger schools.
The headline event awarded $15,000 to any student who completed, in order, a layup, a free throw, a three-point shot, and a half-court shot. Although none of the three students selected to take the shot made any past the free-throw, producers agreed that the evening succeeded in its goal to excite students.
“Hype Night was a huge success. The production level was high, a large portion of students/staff attended, and it successfully highlighted the men’s and women’s basketball teams in a fun, engaging way,” Director of Student Activities Anthony Manno said.
The three “big money” shots were sprinkled evenly throughout the evening, with other minor basketball-related contests in between. One minor event was ‘Swaggy Baggy,’ which had participants don oversized jerseys, basketball shorts, and shoes and then complete a shot. Winners received basketball gear.
Another event teamed up students and basketball players in a combination of rebounding and three-point shooting. The latter made three-point shots while the former rebounded, such that the team with the most overall points were declared the winner and also received gear.
“It was a definite success,” said Assistant Director of Career Services John Quint, who was instrumental in the flagship Hype Night. “At the end of the day, we had strong student and staff attendance, entertaining games and activities, an energetic environment, — I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a Hillsdale College gym look or feel like it did — and a whole lot of fun.”
Basketball players agreed the night excited students but also felt excited for the season ahead after witnessing the outpouring of support from the Hillsdale community.
“Hype night was really invigorating; seeing all the students and people from the community come out on a Thursday got me really excited for the season,” said basketball player and sophomore Jonathan Wilkinson.
Both Quint and Manno said they’re certain the event will return at some point, either replicating the success of the initial running with another college basketball-themed night or a new twist. Manno identified Hillsdale Academy as a possible future partner.
“We definitely plan on doing another Hype Night,” Manno said. “Maybe we’ll have Hillsdale High School scrimmage the Academy as an event.”
Manno and Quint both thanked the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, who helped fund the event, as well as Emcees senior Alex Buchmann and Kat Torres, the men’s and women’s basketball team, Assistant Athletic Director Brad Monastiere, the cheer team, and Media Production Specialist Scott Pienta, who was in charge of production.
“The event is important because it brings everyone together in support of Hillsdale College athletics, and it helps generate the kind of school spirit you see at so many colleges and universities,” Manno said.
