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Beaver Madness packs Rockwell Cage

Fans get an inside look at the 2010-2011 MIT varsity basketball teams.
The first-ever Beaver Madness gave fans an inside look at the 2010-2011 MIT varsity basketball teams.
The first-ever Beaver Madness gave fans an inside look at the 2010-2011 MIT varsity basketball teams.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
Dean for Student Life Chris Colombo and his son, Michael, arrived early to get good seats for the event.
Dean for Student Life Chris Colombo and his son, Michael, arrived early to get good seats for the event.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
The standing-room only event was packed with hundreds of Tech fans, eager to see the teams’ first showing.
The standing-room only event was packed with hundreds of Tech fans, eager to see the teams’ first showing.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
The 2010-2011 women’s basketball team huddles before taking the court to warm-up.
The 2010-2011 women’s basketball team huddles before taking the court to warm-up.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
The MIT cheerleaders helped motivate the crowd. One of their more popular cheers is leading the crowd in spelling out, including the spaces, “Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
The MIT cheerleaders helped motivate the crowd. One of their more popular cheers is leading the crowd in spelling out, including the spaces, “Massachusetts Institute of Technology.”
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
Even mascots need hugs. A friendly student shows Tim the Beaver some love.
Even mascots need hugs. A friendly student shows Tim the Beaver some love.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
The popular MIT a cappella group, the Logarhythms, performed two songs.
The popular MIT a cappella group, the Logarhythms, performed two songs.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
The MIT student-run dance group, Ridonkulous, brought their “Ridonk” style to Rockwell Cage.
The MIT student-run dance group, Ridonkulous, brought their “Ridonk” style to Rockwell Cage.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Erica Gunn, left, helps one of her players, sophomore basketball and soccer player Stephanie Cook, right, prepare for a different kind of contest. “The dating game” featured three male contestants — all MIT basketball players, with two posing as students from Caltech and Harvard — competing for a date with Cooke.
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Erica Gunn, left, helps one of her players, sophomore basketball and soccer player Stephanie Cook, right, prepare for a different kind of contest. “The dating game” featured three male contestants — all MIT basketball players, with two posing as students from Caltech and Harvard — competing for a date with Cooke.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
Faculty, staff and students competed as part of the first-ever skills challenge. 7-foot Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Paul Grant, a former NBA player, was hard to compete with, but sophomore soccer player Emily Kuo was up to the challenge, winning the contest.
Faculty, staff and students competed as part of the first-ever skills challenge. 7-foot Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Paul Grant, a former NBA player, was hard to compete with, but sophomore soccer player Emily Kuo was up to the challenge, winning the contest.
Photo: Stephanie Keeler
A slam-dunk contest allowed anyone in the audience to participate.
A slam-dunk contest allowed anyone in the audience to participate.
Photo: Dawn Anderson

The first-ever "Beaver Madness" — hosted by the MIT men's and women's basketball teams — brought a packed, pep-rally atmosphere to Rockwell Cage on Friday, Oct. 15. Organized by the teams' official student fan group, the event gave spectators an inside look at the 2010-2011 teams, and included a scrimmage by each team, skits and contests.

“We wanted to showcase all the exciting stuff going on in MIT athletics and make everyone a part of it,” said senior Kristen Whaley, captain of the women’s basketball team.

In addition to the athletic offerings, Beaver Madness included performances by the a cappella group, MIT Logarhythms, and the MIT dance group, Ridonkulous.

The first basketball practice of the season is traditionally held in mid-October, the first day the NCAA officially allows basketball practice to start. In an effort to make the night more than just a practice session, Beaver Madness was designed to allow the whole community to participate. 

“We wanted to play a small role — in a big way — to help build the kind of community that we all dream of,” said Larry Anderson, men’s basketball head coach and associate professor.

The men’s basketball team will kick-off their season in Rockwell Cage on Nov. 16, against Emmanuel College at 7 p.m. The women’s home opener comes one week later, Nov. 23, against Pine Manor at 6 p.m.


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