Athletics

October 3, 2016 | Athletic Communications

UConn Basketball to Host First Night Oct. 14

Doors open at 3 p.m., volleyball match at 4, showtime 7 p.m.

Doors open at 3 p.m., volleyball match at 4, showtime 7 p.m.

The UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams will kick-off their 2016-17 campaigns with “UConn Basketball First Night,” presented by Webster Bank, on Friday, Oct. 14.

Admission is free and open to the public, with promotions and on-court entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. First Night officially begins at 7:30 p.m. Event parking in the North and South garages will be available for $5.

As part of the pre-event schedule, UConn volleyball will play UCF in Gampel Pavilion at 4 p.m. in an American Athletic Conference match. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to come watch the Huskies play prior to the start of First Night.

First Night will include Bear’s BBQ and Dunkin’ Donuts sampling outside the arena, a poster giveaway, a “Selfie Session” for the first 300 fans in attendance, dance team performance, drumline performance, additional giveaways, contests, and more. The event will also feature inter-squad shooting contests, skill contests, and a men’s dunk contest.

The Blue vs. White scrimmage will headline the night’s festivities. The men’s and women’s teams will be evenly divided between the blue and white squads. The scrimmage will consist of four 5-minute segments, with two segments featuring men’s action and two featuring women’s action.

Fans will be able to vote for which team they would like to see coached by Geno Auriemma and which they would like to see coached by Kevin Ollie. Voting will take place on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram starting on Thursday, Sept. 29 and ending on Tuesday, Oct. 11. For First Night’s timeline of events:

Schedule of Events:

  • 3 p.m.   Doors open for First Night/Volleyball
  • First 50 students in line will be granted premium courtside seating.
  • *NEW – First 300 fans to sign up at the marketing table inside the SOUTH entrance will be granted entrance into a “Selfie Session” with the teams. This session will allow fans to take pictures with members of both the men’s and the women’s team at 5:30 p.m.
  • 4 p.m.   UConn Volleyball vs. UCF
  • 5:30 p.m.   Selfie Session begins in the Werth Family UConn Basketball Champions Center
  • 7 p.m.   Fan promotions and on-court entertainment begins
  • 7:30 p.m.   Showtime

For up-to-date information on First Night, follow us on Facebook (UConn Huskies) orTwitter (@UConnHuskies).

Important Notes:

  • The UConn Athletics bag policy will be in effect. For the safety of all fans and to expedite entry, backpacks and bags larger than 12x12x6 will not be permitted in Gampel Pavilion. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
  • Doors will be closed when Gampel reaches capacity.
  • In order to monitor attendance, free admission tickets will be distributed outside the Gampel entrances that will then be scanned upon entry into the arena.
  • Students should enter through NORTH & EAST entrances ONLY.
  • General public can enter through the North, East and South entrances.
  • UConn Athletics will maintain communication with fans throughout the day using social media, conventional media, and onsite communication.
  • Parking is $5 per vehicle in the North and South garages.