The Charlotte 49ers will hold their annual Basketball Madness at 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, and Fan Day on at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, in Halton Arena.
Basketball Madness is the official start of the 2012-13 season. The first 500 fans through the door at the Oct. 18 event will receive a foam pick hand. The annual basketball tip-off will feature a meet-and-greet with the men's and women's basketball teams, a slam dunk contest with a surprise dunker, a skills challenge with some new twists and entertaining video features. Back for the second year as host is Garret Bedenbaugh, a 49ers alum and current meteorologist for WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, S.C. Admission is free to the event, and doors open at 8:45 pm. Students are encouraged to enter via the student entrance in Halton Arena.
Basketball Madness will be streamed live on Charlotte49ers.com and it will air live on Time Warner Cable Channel 22 in Mecklenburg County.
Family-friendly Fan Day will be Saturday, Oct. 20. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the 49ers women's basketball team will scrimmage at 2 p.m. The men's basketball team will scrimmage at 2:30 pm. Both teams will sign autographs. Inflatable activities will be available for kids, along with the opportunity for Junior 49ers Club members to interview 49ers players.
In conjunction with Fan Day, the 49ers will hold a free youth clinic for kids grade K-6. Register online through noon on Friday, Oct. 19.
The 49ers men's basketball program is beginning their third season under head coach Alan Major. UNC Charlotte returns three starters and eight letter winners off last season's team led by preseason second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection senior Chris Braswell, junior guard DeMario Mayfield and preseason A-10 All-Defensive team selection sophomore Pierria Henry.
The 49ers host Pfeiffer in an exhibition game at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, in Halton Arena. UNC Charlotte tips off the regular-season against Charleston Southern at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 9, in Halton Arena.
The women's squad, which has advanced to 10 straight post-season tournaments, is entering their second season under head coach Cara Consuegra. The 49ers return nine letter winners and five starters from last season's WNIT team led by seniors Jennifer Hailey, Jai Forney and Amanda Dowe. The 49ers host Johnson C. Smith in an exhibition game at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3, in Halton Arena . Regular season tips off at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, with a game against North Carolina Central in Halton Arena.
Season tickets are on sale through Charlotte49ers.com or call 704-687-4949. Men's basketball season tickets begin at $49 and women's basketball season tickets start at $30. Partial men's basketball season ticket plans include an individual pack for $90 (Gold Zone seating) and the Harris Teeter Family Zone Partial Plan for $120, four tickets in the Blue Zone. Plans include five games - Florida State, East Carolina, Xavier, VCU and the home opener against Charleston Southern. Partial season plans and single game tickets will be available for purchase at Fan Day or starting at 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 22. They will remain available throughout the season and will be prorated upon conclusion of games in the package.