Oct. 7, 2014 PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - As is tradition at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the Hawks will host the fifth annual Hawk Hysteria (and 13th event of its kind) on Friday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the William P. Hytche Center. The event will feature four teams in "action" during the university's Parents and Alumni Weekend and as usual the Hysteria is running rampant on campus.
Hawk Hysteria, the marquee event of the "Hawktoberfest" weekend, will showcase the Hawks' basketball squads, feature dance teams, games, contests, Harry The Hawk's birthday party and inter-squad scrimmages for the men's and women's teams. Admission is FREE and open to the public.
Hawk Hysteria is UMES' version of Midnight Madness, an event started by the University of Maryland 40 years ago. They will take part in the tradition celebrated by many Division I basketball programs across the country, with fans gathering for the first official practice of the new season.
"Our ladies love Hawk Hysteria," said women's basketball head coach Fred Batchelor. "The girls have worked hard all preseason and it is an opportunity for them to get out and showcase their talent."
Hawk Hysteria will begin at 6:00 p.m. with volleyball taking on the Norfolk State Spartans in a MEAC conference matchup. Afterwards, fans are encouraged to stick around to see former UMES athletes from the men's and women's basketball squads be honored. Current athletes from the volleyball, cross country, and men's and women's basketball teams will also be signing autographs. OC 104's Bill Baker "The Rumpshaker" will be on hand, and Force One Productions will provide music for the event.
Former Hawk Basketball players, men and women, are asked to RSVP for the event to G. Stan Bradley, Associate Director of Athletics at 410-651-6499 or gsbradley@umes.edu
Other happenings include the honoring of the 2014 bowling team for their MEAC championship and their 11th straight NCAA appearance and fans can enjoy performances from the UMES Cheerleaders, The UMES Diamonds, Ambiance, several UMES Greek organizations and the Thundering Hawks Pep Band. Both basketball teams will cap off the night with 14-minute scrimmages and some skill contests.
Additionally, Harry the Hawk will celebrate his seventh birthday with all of his UMES friends and some other surprise visits by local mascots. Harry will be presented with a cake and serenaded with the Happy Birthday song.
On Saturday the Hawks baseball team will host its annual Alumni Game at noon at Hawks Stadium. UMES greats of diamonds past will test their might against the 2014-15 edition of the baseball squad. Alums interested in attending and/or participating are asked to contact assistant coach John O'Neil either via email at jroneil@umes.edu or by telephone at 410-651-8908.
Moved to be a part of the University's "Hawktoberfest" event, Hawk Hysteria is just a small part of the campuses activities with their parent's weekend, alumni weekend, coronation and more. UMES also hosts home volleyball on Sunday against rival Delaware State, all part of the festivities in October.
The basketball home opener is part of a busy November weekend as volleyball plays their final home match on November 11 in the front end of a double header that has men's basketball taking on Salisbury in an exhibition game.
