Photo Gallery

MOBILE, Ala. – The 2011-12 basketball season is officially underway and the University of South Alabama celebrated the commencement with ‘Moonlight Madness’ sponsored by Jimmy John's Friday night at the Mitchell Center.

Fans were entertained for over an hour and the event featured performances by the Prowlers, cheerleaders and the marching band.

“I thought it went great,” associate athletic director for marketing Travis Toth said. “We haven’t had a Madness event for the better part of a decade and what we’re trying to do is generate exposure in October, rather than November, to let our fans know that we have a competitive team this year and get our students to interact with the teams—not just come out and support them, but interact with them by being out on the court, seeing them up close and talking with them.”

Following team introductions, each head coach talked briefly about the upcoming season and selected students played a game of ‘Knockout’ with members of both the men’s and women’s teams.

Later in the evening, two students engaged in a 3-point shooting contest for a new Xbox 360. Ronnie House emerged the winner.

The finale was a dunk contest between junior Javier Carter, junior Wendell Wright and freshman Mychal Ammons. Carter brought the house down on his last attempt, dunking over 6-2 freshman J.J. Holland.

“I thought it was really nice,” said men’s basketball coach Ronnie Arrow. “The marketing department did a great job in putting it on and we’re glad to be a part of it. The enthusiasm is great for our program and we hope to see the fans out at the games this year.”

“Any time you have an opportunity to get our student-athletes interacting with our fans, it’s a neat thing,” said women’s basketball coach Rick Pietri. “This is the first time we’ve done anything like this and I really enjoyed the format and I look forward to doing this type of event in the future.”

The Jaguar men welcome eight new players and return 2011 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Augustine Rubit. The team will host the first of two exhibition games Nov. 2 against Spring Hill before opening the regular season Nov. 12 at Mississippi State.

The Lady Jags return eight letterwinners from last year’s 17-13 squad, including second-leading scorer Sarda Peterson. The new season begins Nov. 12 at the Mitchell Center against Central Florida after a home exhibition contest Nov. 7 against West Florida.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

—USA—