Come to Midnight Mania on Friday!

The University of Hartford men’s and women’s basketball teams will be on display for the first time this season during Midnight Mania on Friday, Oct. 16, from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight at Chase Arena in the Reich Family Pavilion. Doors will open at 9:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.

Fans can join head coaches Dan Leibovitz and Jen Rizzotti as they usher in the new season with a night of contests and giveaways as the Hawks are introduced to the crowd. The festivities will begin with the annual student intramural event, followed by performances throughout the evening by the Hawks Cheerleaders, Hartford Dance Team, Howie the Hawk, Fenomena, UHA Steppaz and the Pep Band. Fan competitions—including a banner contest and the always entertaining dance contest—will be held. The first 700 fans in attendance will also receive a free T-shirt.

Rizzotti, entering her 11th year as head coach, has the Hawks poised for another successful campaign. She returns 10 letterwinners from a squad that went 14-2 in the America East last season en route to a WNIT berth. The Hawks finished the year 20-12 overall, their fifth straight 20-win season under Rizzotti.  Hartford opens the season on Saturday, Nov. 14, at home versus Quinnipiac.

Leibovitz returns for his fourth season at the helm of the Hartford program. Last year the Hawks finished 7-26, but return leading scorer Joe Zeglinski, who suffered a season-ending injury prior to conference play last season. Overall the Hawks return 10 letterwinners and add six newcomers for 2009-10. The Hawks open the season at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., on Nov. 14 versus in-state rival Quinnipiac as part of the newly formed Connecticut 6.

Season ticket packages are still on sale and can be purchased through the Malcolm & Brenda Berman Athletics Box Office. For more information, please call (860) 768-HAWK or visit http://HartfordHawksTickets.com.