It may not be midnight, but there will be madness.

The UT Tyler men’s and women’s basketball teams are tipping-off the 2012-13 season with Patriot Madness tonight.

Patriot Madness will feature a slam-dunk contest, fan competitions, prize giveaways and much more. The fun begins at 7 p.m. at the Herrington Patriot Center.

Patriot Madness will be the first chance for fans, students and the community to meet the squads, as well as a chance to win Fuzzy’s Taco gift cards, UT Tyler t-shirts and more prizes.

Along with the teams, the Patriot cheerleaders and dance team will perform.

Members of the men’s team will take part in a slam dunk contest, while fans will have a shot at winning more prizes in a 3-Point Shootout and Dribble Relay Race.

Patriot Nation points will be available for all members and the first 50 fans to show up receive a Patriots t-shirt.

“This is a great chance for the students, fans and players to get excited about the upcoming season of Patriots basketball. It will be a great event for everyone involved,” Kevin Baker, women’s basketball coach, said.

GARDEA HONORED

Sergio Gardea, UT Tyler’s senior from El Paso, was named the American Southwest Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week. This is the second-time in two years Gardea has been named player of the week.

For the week, Gardea totaled six saves and did not allow a goal over two conference road matches, including five stops in a double-overtime tie with Hardin-Simmons. Gardea also spearheaded a 1-0 victory over Howard Payne that ran the Patriots’ shutout and win streak to three matches.

DUKES WINS AGAIN

John Dukes, UT Tyler’s senior from Rockwall, was named the ASC Men’s Golf of the Week for the second straight time.

Dukes fired a 6-over-par 76-70-73—219 to tie for 18th place at the prestigious Golfweek Division III Fall Invitational at Raven Golf Course in Sandestin, Fla.

The senior led the way for the Patriots (292-292-301—885) to post a fifth-place finish in the field of 18 teams.

DIG PINK RAISES CASH

With the help of its fans, the 12 American Southwest Conference volleyball teams combined to raise a record $4,386 for The Side-Out Foundation to help raise awareness of breast cancer research during the annual ASC Dig Pink Crossover Challenge weekends.

In four years, the ASC has collected more than $12,000 for The Side-Out Foundation.

“American Southwest Conference volleyball teams and fans have always been very supportive of The Side-Out Foundation’s Dig Pink campaign,” said Amy Carlton, ASC commissioner. “The record-setting level of giving during the two ASC Dig Pink Crossover Challenge events this year allows our volleyball community to help continue important research and programs to fight breast cancer.”

The Side-Out Foundation Executive Director Rick Dunetz added: “The American Southwest Conference has distinguished itself by embracing the Dig Pink initiative on a conference-wide level. In four years, they have raised over $12,000, a reflection of their dedication and generosity. We are honored to work with them and we are grateful for their support.”

The ASC Dig Pink Crossover Challenges were held Sept. 21-22 in Austin (Concordia University Texas) and Alpine (Sul Ross State University); and Oct. 5-6 in Belton (University of Mary Hardin-Baylor) and Richardson (UT Dallas).

During each tournament weekend, every volleyball player wore a pink accessory incorporated into their uniform. In addition, all coaches, athletics trainers, officials and table staff members wore a pink ribbon. Fans made cash donations and bid on Dig Pink prize packs, including tickets to the 2012 ASC Volleyball Championship Tournament.

The Side-Out Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization formed in 2004 that has provided over $5 million toward breast cancer research.

Its name underscores the purpose of the organization, to regain control over the opponent.

Likewise in the war against breast cancer, the foundation hopes to enable women and men affected with the disease and regain control of their lives and live it to the fullest.

The Side-Out Foundation and Dig Pink information may be accessed online at www.side-out.org.