Sept. 21, 2005

Columbia, S.C. –
With a MIDNIGHT MADNESS flare, the University of South Carolina basketball programs will host HARDWOOD HOOPLA – a fun-filled family night of basketball, autographs, contests, music and much more. HARDWOOD HOOPLA will be hosted by both Carolina basketball teams on Friday, Oct. 14 from 6-8 pm at the USC Basketball Practice Facility (corner of Blossom and Assembly).

Please stay-tuned to www.USCsports.com for more information.

The costs are as follows:

$10 FAMILY

$5 INDIVIDUAL

$3 STUDENT / SENIOR CITIZEN

USC STUDENTS & FACULTY FREE WITH USC ID

Each person who enters will also receive a raffle ticket free for drawings later in the evening (autograph balls, t-shirts, tickets to upcoming games).

The first 500 people in the door will receive free HARDWOOD HOOPLA t-shirts.

Free Pizza Hut pizza and Coke products will be available at the Practice Facility Cantina while quantities last.

From 6-6:45 pm the men’s and women’s basketball teams and all coaches (including Coach Odom and Coach Walvius) will ONLY SIGN the schedule poster that will be provided by USC that day. They will not sign basketballs, hats or any other souvenirs so they can keep the lines moving. Fans will be allowed to take photos, but will not be allowed behind the autograph tables.

Cocky and the Carolina cheerleaders will be on hand with the cheerleaders doing face–painting in the Frank McGuire Room. Cocky will have a special area where he will be available for photos with the fans (bring your camera!)

There will also be a free-throw shooting contest where fans can win a variety of prizes – t-shirts, autographed items, media guides, and a lot of other special surprises.

At 6:45 pm, the floor will be cleared for the teams’ entrance at 7 pm. The USC Dance team and cheerleaders will perform prior to 7 pm.

The teams will warm-up and then the coaches will introduce their teams. Both the men and women will hold 10-minute scrimmages and there will also be a question and answer period with the players, hosted by the players.

Brent Johnson, of B-106 FM, will be the MC for the evening.