The Utah Valley University men’s and women’s basketball teams will kick off their upcoming seasons with a “smash” as they partner with the UVU Esports team for a gaming-centric Midnight Madness event on the evening of Oct. 12. in the Lockhart Arena on UVU’s Orem campus.
 
The Esports team will host two public tournaments featuring Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Wii U, with the first open to high school-age children, beginning at 6 p.m., and the second open to current UVU students, beginning at 9 p.m.
 
At 11:30 p.m., the Wolverine men’s and women’s basketball programs will introduce the players and coaches for the 2018-19 season. The basketball teams will then compete against Esports team members in a series of challenges on the screen and on the court. The evening will culminate with an eight-person Smash Bros. battle between the semifinalists of the UVU student tournament and representatives from the basketball teams.
 
Music, food, drinks, giveaways, and several free-play stations featuring Super Smash Bros. will also be part of the festivities, as well as performances by the UVU Dance Team and the Green Man Group. Attendees can also purchase a limited-edition version of the Wolverine “Protect The Den” spirit shirt, with a unique gaming-inspired design.
 
The event is free and open to the public; registration is required to enter tournament play. For more information on rules, prizes, and registration for both tournaments, visit https://gouvu.com/sports/2018/10/3/Madness.aspx.
 
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About Utah Valley University
 
At 39,931 students and growing, Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. UVU’s unique model, which focuses on student success, engaged learning, rigorous academic programs and faculty-mentored research, is transforming higher education by making it more affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds.