Center Valley, PA (October 16, 2008) - The DeSales University men's and women's basketball teams got its 2008-09 season started on the first official day of practice when the two teams were introduced in front of 400-500 fans in Billera Hall at midnight on Tuesday, October 15th.

Both teams are coming off spectacular seasons last year in which the women's team posted a 26-4 overall record, won the Freedom Conference championship, and advanced all the way to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Tournament.  The men's team finished with a 21-6 overall record winning 20+ games for the fifth time in the last six years and advanced to the Freedom Conference championship game where they fell to King's College for the third time in the last four years.

DeSales' local newspaper, the Morning Call, was there to catch the event and posted a story as well as some video on its web site.  You can view the story written by columnist Andre Williams here - MIDNIGHT MADNESS STORY - and the video here - MIDNIGHT MADNESS VIDEO.

Both teams will begin their season on Saturday, November 15th with the women hosting Immaculata University in the first round of the Starter's Pub Tip-Off Tournament and the men traveling to St. John Fisher College.