MAACness meets Hollywood basketball

Times of discover News: Rider's 2024 men's and women's basketball teams emerged from a haze of smoke, walking down the red carpet as multicolored lights lit up on the stage and Rider-branded shirts flew into the surrounding crowd. On Sept. 27, the Office of Campus Life hosted the annual MAACness celebration in celebration of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the new basketball season.

The theme was "MAACness Goes Hollywood" and the event was held in the SRC parking lot. At the front of the lot, students waited patiently in line, waiting for bracelets that would allow them to receive free food from trucks.

Familiar food vendors, including Mister Softee, Nomad Pizza and Shaved Ice & Sweets, surrounded the space, where students had to show their wristbands to gain entry to the event. While supplies lasted, students with wristbands picked up mini backpacks and reusable water bottles adorned with the Rider logo.

Clubs and organizations such as the Transfer Student Association and the Student Government Association manned the table to gain name recognition and encourage potential members to join. There were food trucks as well as giant, inflatable games such as basketball and "Connect Four," which students used to challenge friends while waiting for the MAACness celebration.

There was a red carpet leading to the stage on which the main event was held: the introduction of Rider's basketball players and coaches.Rider's beloved mascot, "AJ the Bronc," appeared dressed to impress for the upcoming start of basketball season.

The Rider cheerleaders and dance team performed choreographed routines to music played by the Rider Pep Band, getting guests ready for the show. "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes got the crowd excited as players lined up before the song of their choice played. Works by Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar and other rap artists emanated from the speakers.

When all players were introduced, the coaches announced the first games for each team. The men's team will play Holy Family University on October 26, while the women's team will play Navy on November 4.

After the introductions and announcements were over, the barriers between the crowd and the performers were forcefully broken down, and the Broncs in the audience were urged to move to a makeshift dance floor to perform "The Wobble" with the cheer and dance teams.

In past years, MAACness has been held in the Alumni Gym. However, according to senior business administration major Ella Osmers, the first open house of the semester was held in the gym where the event is usually held.

The rain was a hindrance for the performers, as the dance and cheer teams' flips and tricks were not performed. Despite this, both clubs provided coordinated dances and opportunities to show off their skills in front of the Broncs.

Alina Eusebio, a second-year arts and entertainment industry management student who is a new member of the dance team, said they had been practicing their routine to Lil Wayne's "A Milli" for two weeks in preparation for the event.

"The MAAC is a great opportunity for the dance team so everyone gets to see our faces and we are introduced to the basketball teams as well as the band and cheer team."

After the "Cha Cha Slide," the students gained confidence and danced to the "Electric Slide," "Macarena" and other famous dances until the Hollywood-themed dream came to an end.