| The Old Dominion basketball teams unveiled the new Fieldhouse floor at Monarch Madness. |
NORFOLK -- Fans in Hampton Roads can get their first look at the OldDominion University men's and women's basketball teams and the newfieldhousefloor at the annual Wise Snacks/94.9 The Point Monarch Madness on Friday,Oct. 15 beginning at 10 p.m. in the field house. Both teams will beintroduced at midnight to be followed by a brief co-ed scrimmage.Admission is free to the public.
The Lady Monarchs return seven letterwinners and three starters fromlast year's 28-4 "sweet 16" squad that ranked fifth in the final ASSOCIATEDPRESS poll. Three returning starters are CAA Tournament MVP Natalie Diaz(5-11,Sr,G, 6.8 ppg), Lucienne Berthieu, the CAA Co-Player and Rookie ofthe Year (6-2,Jr,F-C, 14.2 ppg/8.0 rpg) and CAA All-Tournament pick Hamchetou Maiga (6-1,Jr,F, 6.2 ppg/4.1rpg).
Also returning are Sharron Francis (5-8,So,G, 7.0 ppg), Mandy Olley(6-,Jr.,F, 2.0 ppg),Tiffany Thompson (6-3,So.,F,6.1 ppg/3.7 rpg), and Nicole Bellinghausen(6-1,Sr.,F,1.8ppg.). Once again, the Lady Monarchs brought in a top 20 recruiting classwhich includes Kim Giddens (6-0,Fr.,F,) from Painter, Va.;Okeish Howard(5-5.Fr.,G) fromfrom Virginia Beach, Va., and Alli Spence, (5-5, Fr,G,) from Lafayette, CO.OldDominion has won eight straight CAA titles.
Last year, the Monarchs were 25-9, reached the finals of the CAATournament andthe second round of the NIT. The Monarch returnees include: MichaelWilliams (6-0,Jr, g, 7.6 pg/2.6 apg); CAA All-Tournament selection Andre McCullum(6-6,Jr,F, 9.4 ppg/5.2 rpg); Clifton Jones (6.7 Jr,F-G, 5.5 ppg/4.1 rpg);Skipper Youngblood (6-8,Sr,C, 6.3 ppg/5.0 rpg);Freddie Bryant (6-3,Sr,G,3.9 ppg);Pierre Greene (6-2,So,g, 3.0 ppg) and Heath Burris (6.4, Jr. ,G,0.4 ppg). Monarch newcomers include; Charles Dunnington (6-9,Fr.,F) fromWashington, DC.; Ricardo Marsh (6-7,Fr,F.) From Mebane, NC.;Aron McMillian(6-9,So,C,) from Greensboro, NC.,Joe Principe (6-9,Fr.,C,) from Gladstone,Mo.), Lamont Sides, (6-2 Jr, G) from High Point, NC.;and Rasheed Wright(6-5,Fr.,F,) from Greensboro, NC.). The Monarchs have reached the finals ofthe CAA Tournament in three of the last five years.
The first 100 fans will receive a free Monarch Madness t-shirt at thedoor, and Wise Snack bag. Other activities for the evening will include acouch potato contest (win a free living room set, courtesy of Haynes), alaser tag contest and hula-hoop contest, along with autograph sessions andgames for people of all ages.
For more information please call the athletic public relations officeat 683-3372 or the ticket office at 683-4444.