It’s a Slam Dunk! Moore Madness celebrates a new basketball season

It’s a Slam Dunk! Moore Madness celebrates a new basketball season

CIU student Aslan Irizarry shoots for the $1,000 scholarship.
CIU Ram Christian Williams “Rams” it home in the dunking contest. (Photos by CIU Student Photographer Caleb Pringle.)

CIU Ram Christian Williams “Rams” it home in the dunking contest. (Photos by CIU Student Photographer Caleb Pringle.)

By Naomi Balk

CIU Student Writer

It was a RAMbunctious time in the Moore Fitness Center for the annual Moore Madness — an opportunity for the men’s and women’s basketball teams to show their stuff and a fun night for Ram’s fans with a chance for someone to win a $1,000 scholarship.

“It was really exciting. It was cool to come together and see everybody support the basketball teams. Where I had come from, they did not have the same support for the teams. It was awesome,” said transfer junior Alyssa Allender. “Watching the competitions were hilarious and challenging.”

The night started off with a striking introduction to the individuals on the teams, and the coaches and assistant coaches. The lights and music drew all attention to the players who filed on the court one by one. The crowd was impressed and cheered as first the women’s then the men’s team showed off their lay ups and thee point shots in 10-minute scrimmages.

This is the first year the Rams will compete in the NAIA with the men under new Head Coach Tony Stockman.

“I’m excited,” said Stockman. “(We’ve got) a lot of young talent. We are competing hard in practice but as long as we’re competing hard we will get better.”

Stockman, who played college basketball for Clemson and Ohio State, won two NCCAA D2 National Championships in 2013 and 2014 as head coach at Ohio Christian University where he was also named National Coach of the Year in 2015.

Moore Madness audience participation included a tug of war between the classes, dunking competitions and other basketball-related contests.

“I thought it was a great night! I liked how the student athletes were cheering for the students (in the games) and the students cheered for the athletes, said senior Christian Kah. “It was cool to see the support for each other and the community that came through that!”

The Lady Rams’ Jordan Sprueill and the men’s Jeffrey McIlwain said, “Thank you so much for coming out to support us tonight and we are looking forward to seeing many of you at our home games.”

The night climaxed with the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. The crowd went wild when the announcer offered the scholarship to the first person to make four shots of varying distances: from a lay up to a half court basket. The contestants could make as many attempts as needed. Dozens of people tried. In the end, no one could make the $1,000 shot.

“It was so nerve-wracking,” said freshman Daisy Starling who missed. “It actually was a $1,000 shot. I almost had it.”

The men's Basketball team will start the 2018-2019 season with a home game on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. against Piedmont International University. The women's team will begin on CIU home ground on Nov. 3 against South Carolina Faith A & M at 3 p.m. on Homecoming Weekend.

Want to play for the CIU Rams? Find your sport at rams.com.

Excitement is building on the CIU campus with a dramatic increase in enrollment and on-campus expansion. Information on enrollment is available here or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.