LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University women's and men's basketball teams will kick off their 2010-11 campaigns Wednesday, with a Midnight Madness showcase in Quinn Coliseum beginning at 9 p.m. (midnight Eastern time).

The event returned last year after years of no showcase like it. The evening is free to fans and will feature giveaways and fans will have a chance to get the 2010-11 team schedule posters and have them signed by the Mountaineers. Fans will have a chance to meet the 2010-11 Mountaineers after the event. Three students will have a chance to win a free term of books from the EOU bookstore as well.

Midnight Madness is an annual event on college campuses around the country that celebrates the beginning of basketball season in mid-October. University of Maryland head coach head coach Lefty Driesell started the tradition at 12:03 a.m. on October 15, 1971 with a 1.5 mile run. The early practice session was attended by 3,000 fans at the track surrounding Byrd Stadium on the University of Maryland campus. Programs like the University of Kentucky and the University of Kansas have made it primetime successes.

"We are looking forward to this event," EOU women's basketball head coach Anji Weissenfluh said. "It's a fun way to show our new kids the kinds of things that set our programs apart from others. I'm really excited for the upcoming Midnight Madness."

The kickoff evening will feature a three-point shootout between the women's basketball team and a slam dunk contest from members of the men's basketball team. Those contests will be split apart by intra-squad scrimmages from the men's and women's teams.

"One of the best memories I had as a player at Eastern was Midnight Madness," Mountaineer men's basketball head coach Isaac Williams said. "With the start at 9 p.m. it gives a chance for more of the community to come out and see the teams. It's a great thing for the players and the students and a fantastic way to kick off the seasons."

There will be a live video stream of the events along with interviews from coaches and players and season outlooks on the video stream broadcast. The night will also be broadcast on KEOL 91.7 FM locally in the Grande Ronde Valley.

A schedule of the night's event is featured below. Again, admission to the event will be free to the public. Doors open at 8:45 p.m.

9 p.m. - Introductions
9:15 p.m. - Women's basketball 3-point contest
9:30 p.m. - Men's basketball scrimmage first half (10 min clock)
9:45 p.m. - Women's basketball scrimmage first half (10 min clock)
10 p.m. - Fan Contests
10:15 p.m. - Men's basketball dunk contest
10:30 p.m. - Coaches conclusion