Ram Madness 2007 Rocks the Gallagher Center; Dancin', Dashin' & Dunkin'

On Friday night, October 12th, Ram Madness 2007 shook the foundation of the Gallagher Center as this year's Rams and Lady Rams basketball teams were introduced to an overflow audience of students, athletes, faculty, staff, friends and families of Philadelphia University.  President Stephen Spinelli greeted the packed house with a promise to travel to NCAA Division II Championships in men's and women's basketball-so long as the Rams and Lady Rams earn their way to the Elite Eight tournaments in Springfield, Mass. and Kearney, Neb., respectively!  The USA Break Dancers then rocked the crowd and continued the electric, high-energy pace of the evening.

The 2007-'08 men's and women's teams were then introduced to the delight of the Philadelphia University community.  Next up, the cheerleading squad and the Ramettes dance team taught the assembled throng how to show their school spirit.  In addition, women's head coach Tom Shirley squared off against one of his protégés, sophomore Martha Lupinski, in a three-point shooting contest.  It was Lupinski who showed the ball coach how it's done by draining seven treys in one minute to Shirley's five.

The final act of the evening was the slam dunk contest, featuring senior captain Maurice Martin, sophomore Mike Yocum, senior Jason Hickenbottom and sophomore Marcus Lemon.  Hickenbottom and Lemon advance to the finals, where newcomer Lemon took a perfect "10" on the final slam of the evening to win the contest.  Most importantly, with the help of sponsors such as Murray Dodge, Chubby's Steaks and the generosity of the entire student body, faculty and staff of the University, over $2,000.00 was raised for to purchase new school uniforms for boys at the Northern Home for Children in Philadelphia.  It was a night to remember and one that celebrated the defining qualities of NCAA Division II athletics.  Learning, balance, character, fair play, spirit and a sense of community were clearly and proudly on display at the Gallagher Center on Friday evening.  If the support being shown to the teams at Ram Madness continues all season, then President Spinelli may indeed be packing his suitcases for Massachusetts and Nebraska next March!