Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Sports

By looking merely at the photograph of this week's "Player Profile" you might think that this is either the April Fool's edition of The Paw Print or that the writer has completely lost his mind. Well I can tell you for sure that the first option isn't true.

Madness is only two years old and he already draws more fans as an individual than all the featured athletes combined that have appeared in this publication. In only his second year at Pace University, he has already generated enough interest to become a "Player Profile".

To back track a bit, Madness is sponsored by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and will make his appearance tonight at the Goldstein Fitness Center with doors opening at 9 p.m. and the festivities beginning at 9:30.

Madness, with the help from Pace students Taylor Losey and Joe Melillo, will be introducing the men's and women's basketball teams while giving the teams a chance to show off their skills by competing in a scrimmage and a three point contest. WPAW and The Paw Print will be on hand covering Madness and to help support him, the Pace cheerleading team along with Hip Hop's Exclusive Athletic Team (HEAT) will be performing.

This year Madness is charging two dollars a person to come see him, but a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation. One lucky fan will also have an opportunity to win $10,000 in a Shoot, Turn, and Shoot contest. To top it off, the Greek organization with the most amount of members present will have a chance to win a $250 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and will have the title for best Greek fans at Pace University.

As the student advisor for SAAC and creator of Madness, Michael Mattone says that he kind of let Madness raise himself. "I was hands off in raising Madness. He knows what he is doing. But I do feel that Madness is a great way to bring the Pace community together and support a unified cause. He enhances student life and makes you feel proud to be a Pace Setter."

Madness' main priority is to get everyone ready for the upcoming basketball season. He wants to bring everyone together for a common goal and to give back at the same time. He hopes that as many students as possible will come out to support him and his cause.

Madness said, "Hopefully, the new students as well as other students who did not get a chance to experience me last year will come out and see how great I am. This year, I am coming out on a Wednesday night, so I hope a lot of people will come support me. I mean what else is there to do around here on a Wednesday night?"

Part of the planning for Madness has him appearing earlier than normal. Transportation will be available from the Briarcliff campus at 8:30 going and 11:30 coming back. So why isn't Madness going to come out later in the night like most other schools? The answer, according to Madness, is pretty simple."

"I am only two years old; I can't stay up until two in the morning. That is way too late."

To promote Madness even further, John Tagliaferri, Sports Information Director at Pace University said, "Madness is a good opportunity for our athletes to showcase their skills. Madness helps the basketball teams jumpstart their seasons."

Madness says that he meditates for three straight months in the mountains of Nepal learning various techniques in order to adequately be focused for such a night. He believes that he is ready to go and he is completely focused on the night.

When asked about giving back to the community and to Make a Wish Foundation, Madness responded by saying, "Jus this year another school in the Conference paid for a four year old girl with cancer to go to Disney World. Man, to have that kind of impact on a kid would be really cool. That is why I hope a lot of people come to see me tonight. I am a great cause and a great time."

A great cause and a great time. Tonight, come see how truly great Madness can be.

Madness' Favorite Things:

Person you'd want to be in a fox hole with - Assistant SID, Anthony Ramos

Sport to play (other than basketball) - Water polo

Sport to watch (other than basketball) - High school football

To be for Halloween - Green M & M

Candy to give out on Halloween - Candy corn

Presidential candidate - Fred Thompson (Hugh Law & Order fan)

Sports Drink - Orange Gatorade

Afternoon snack - Dunk-a-roos

Person at Pace - Carol Turco

To do at Pace - Attend myself

Sports movie - Blue Chips

Game show - The Price Is Right

Celebrity you know personally - U. of Maryland Madness (He gets 20,000 every year to see him perform)

Sleeping position - Sprawled out on my stomach

Time of Day - 9 p.m., preferably on Wednesday's mid-October

Car - Oscar Meyer Weiner mobile

Female you'd want to spend quality time with - Jessica Alba

Resident Director - Sue Reuter

Quote - "Near, far, wherever you are. I believe my heart will go on." - Titanic

Lucky Charms marshmallow - Shooting Star

To do with your money - Give it out to myself

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools