Yale Athletics

The Men’s and Women’s basketball teams officially launched their 2024-25 seasons with the Bulldog Madness last Thursday, treating fans to dunk contests, Yale Athletics giveaways, Garden Catering and one lucky fan’s chance at $25,000. 

Elis fans gathered in the Payne Whitney Gymnasium’s John J. Lee Amphitheater. Upon arrival, students were directed to scan a QR code to enter into the last contest of the night, a chance to win $25,000. Yale Athletics treated excited fans to Garden Catering, a local chicken restaurant and favorite of the Bulldogs, and a prize wheel to win stickers, tattoos and free milkshakes. Yale giveaways included “Boola Boola” banners, frisbees, phone wallets and scrunchies. 

The night began with both teams running through a cheer tunnel to the applause of the roaring crowd. As each player was announced, he or she greeted the crowd with a T-shirt toss as fans battled for the coveted prize. 

Next, the night continued with inspiring speeches by Dalila Eshe, Joel E. Smilow Class of 1954 head coach of women’s basketball, and James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow ’54 Head Coach of Men’s Basketball. Both coaches highlighted their goals for the season. 

Jones told the News that his overall goals for the team are the same each year, primarily reaching their potential as a team.

“We want to win championships and win the regular Ivy League season championship and the NCAA tournament and move on further than we did last year.”

Jones noted that the Bulldogs have been the best in the Ivy League Conference for about a decade now. He hopes to continue this streak.

Mateo Rice ’25, men’s team captain and point guard, echoed this sentiment when he spoke to the News.

“My goals are for us to win the Ivy League and then win Ivy Madness and then return to March Madness again.”

In his role as captain, Rice also looks forward to watching his younger teammates grow and improving the team as a whole.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing our younger guys make big strides over the course of the year and also see a lot of leadership from my fellow five seniors.” 

The night featured an impressive routine from the Yale Cheerleading Squad, complete with gymnastics tumbling passes and stunts. There were also three-point and dunk contests, a highlight for Rice, who enjoyed the “great assists to even better dunks.” 

Scrimmages from the women’s and men’s teams rounded out the night before the anticipated $25,000 contest. In the women’s scrimmage, Grace Thybulle’s ’25 buzzer half-court carried the white team to a narrow win (13-11) against the blue team, which left the crowd on its feet. The men’s scrimmage resulted in the white team’s victory against the blue team (21-15).

Reflecting on the scrimmage, which was the most fun for Rice, he was proud of teammate Trevor Mullin’s ’27 dunk.

Overall, Rice enjoyed seeing “the smiles and excitement on our team and in the crowd.”

The night ended with a contest where one lucky fan could win $25,000 by completing a layup, free throw, three-point shot and half-court shot in only 25 seconds. Although no fan won the $25,000 prize, the contest ended the night with the crowd excited for the basketball season. 

Ayman Naseer ’28, loved watching the contest, although she wished she could have been part of it given the parameters of the contest entry. Only inexperienced basketball players were permitted. An avid basketball fan, she looks forward to cheering on the Elis this year.

“I think last year was a great year. I watched them go to March Madness, a lot of fun games to watch, and I’m hoping we can do better this year.”

Jones and Rice look forward to seeing Bulldogs fans at the games this season.

“We have great student-athletes, great people, and there’s nothing better than to be in the gym and share that energy of winning the game and playing together … it’s just a great night for everybody,” Jones said to the News. 

Rice is excited to kick off the season and for fans to experience the energy of the games.

“Especially come Ivy League play, there’s nowhere better to be on a Friday or Saturday night than JLA [John J. Lee Amphitheater].”

Both teams will begin their seasons at home on Nov. 4. The women’s team will face off against Monmouth at 5 p.m., and the men’s team will play Quinnipiac at 8 p.m.