Xavier Midnight Madness welcomes Fall 2025 athletes

By Kennedi Bell

Midnight Madness returned to Xavier University of Louisiana with high energy, loud cheers, and a full showcase of athletic pride as student-athletes gathered for the annual event kicking off the new sports year Designed to help athletes get acquainted with Xavier’s programs, the exclusive athlete event introduces teams such as volleyball, basketball, cheer, rowing, tennis, and baseball.

“It was really cool to see the rowing team make their debut for the school,” said Zora Thomas a student photographer at XULA. “It’s exciting that our HBCU is the first to have a varsity rowing team and I’m really excited tosee how their season goes.”

New students and transfer students have an opportunity to talk to the athletes, familiarize themselves with schedules, rankings, roster and sometimes the coaches.

“I feel like the overall event was a nice way to get all sports under the same roof for a night and a good way for usfellow athletes to get to bond and interact with each other, said Terrence Petit, a freshman cheerleader. “Especially since we never get a chance to due to an intense academic and athletic schedule,” he added.

XULA cheer pulled out a few tricks to give a sneak peek for their up-and-coming season. The XULA marching band didn’t miss a beat. They practice every night right outside the Convocation Center and showed us why as theyperformed alongside the XULA dance team.

Each sports team got a chance to walk out in front of the other athletes, with fall sports receiving special recognition.

“I felt really excited to get recognized in front of the other Xavier athletes and I liked how everyone supported everyone,” said Ashely Peake, a freshman on the Xavier Women’s

Volleyball team. “I’m happy to be recognized and acknowledged at this event. It makes me feel

happy to be a student athlete.”

Student athletes were entertained all night with various games such as knockout, freeze dance, and musical chairsto name a few. The musical chairs almost turned into a boxing match when it got to the last two people standing and one chair left. The DJ put some time and effort into that playlist playing one good song after another, helping the event come to life.

Students won prizes that consisted of headphones and big fluffy pillows. There were athletes from freshmanto seniors in the stands, jumping out of their seats at times to catch t-shirts and fans being tossed into the seats.

Jordyn Dennis said she was excited for the free food and games that the event is known

for. “Sometimes you will get lucky if you just stick a hand in the air; you might catch a prize.”