On Thursday, Oct. 14,FAU, for the first time, will host a pep rally that will kick off the start of the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. It is a traditional college event known as “Midnight Madness,” but FAU will be starting at 8 p.m.

“Midnight is when the practice officially starts for basketball,” said Mike Burdman, organizer of the event. “However, the NCAA isn’t a fan of actually holding the practice at midnight for safety reasons, so most schools do it early like us.”

Taking place in The Burrow, the event will offer students a chance to partake in a plethora of activities, contests and big prize giveaways.

The night will start with a scrimmage match between the men’s and women’s teams. Following the match, students will have a chance to compete in events against the basketball team. Names will be randomly drawn and students will be competing in events such as three-point and half-court shootouts, a scrimmage game against the teams, and a dance-off with the FAU dance team.

The first 1,400 students to attend the event will receive a reversible blue and red basketball jersey, all with different numbers. During the basketball season, if your number gets called at a home game, you will win free food and drinks at the concession stand.

Throughout the night, fans will be eligible to win prizes such as autographed jerseys and basketballs, as well as free concert tickets from Live Nation to acts like Dane Cook.

But the biggest prize giveaway is a free year’s supply of Pepsi.

“I don’t see why we can’t pack the house,” said FAU business major Shane Brauer. “Even if you aren’t a really big basketball fan like me, it’s still a sweet event that gives away tons of stuff.”