Oct. 7, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Tickets for Friday night's Midnight Madness festivities at Comcast Center are now available to the general public, it was announced on Monday. The annual opening to the college basketball season, Midnight Madness at the University of Maryland this week also marks the first public event at the University's 17,950-seat Comcast Center.

On the heels of a national championship last April, the defending champion Terrapin men's basketball team will open the 2002-03 season alongside the Terps' women's team at midnight on Oct. 12. Midnight Madness activities begin at 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11.

Admission is free, but for the first time in Maryland history, Midnight Madness has become a ticketed event in order to meet the joint demands brought by the national title and the opening of the new arena. Maryland students may obtain advance tickets online by accessing www.tickets.umd.edu. Advance tickets for the general public are available online or at any TicketMaster outlet, or at the Terrapin ticket office at Comcast Center.