​​On Thursday night, the nation’s oldest on-campus arena, Rose Hill Gymnasium, proved that despite its age, it is still the place to be. Late Night on the Hill celebrated the men’s and women’s basketball teams’ kickoff to the 2022-23 season. Students were welcomed by the Fordham University marching band, Chick-fil-A sandwiches and free t-shirts. Throughout the night, fans were awarded for their involvement with games, music and prizes. 

The audience was entertained by a nail-biting dance competition turned trick off, between Ramses the Ram and a Fordham cheerleader. The victor, Gina Valenti, FCRH ’26, walked away with a swag bag and bragging rights for the night. There were endless giveaways as other winners walked away with gift cards to small businesses located in the Bronx: an Enzo’s gift card for an intense game of musical chairs and a Mike’s Deli gift card for the uniform relay. Finally, a Halloween-themed mummy wrap competition delivered yet another swag bag to the winners. 

And this was just the beginning of Late Night on the Hill. The audience was kept busy with a hype man and DJ equipped with energizing music. They got everyone out of their seats, moving, and aiming to get onto the jumbo-tron. Before the basketball teams got their spotlight, the Fordham University Dance team and the Fordham University Cheer Squad performed. Their show-stopping numbers were a great preview for what’s to come in their winter season. 

Finally, the anticipation was over and spirits reached an all time high when the rosters were announced for the women’s and men’s teams. Each freshman, sophomore, junior, senior and graduate student strutted through the court with their favorite song and overwhelming pride in their school. The entire arena cheered on each player for not only their athletic prowess, but their persona as fellow classmates, roommates, club members and friends. 

The Fordham “Ramily” was then ignited by rallies to gather support throughout the season from the women’s basketball coach, Candice Green, and the men’s basketball coach, Keith Urgo. They spoke to their high expectations for a great year at Fordham and reminded the crowd of their home opener on Nov. 7. 

“I promise it’ll be a historic season here at Fordham,” said Urgo. 

Before the night was over, rapper and hip-hop artist Wale rocked the arena. Wale first made his entry into the music world through a local radio channel located in Washington, D.C. He made his initial impact with his number “Dig Dug” and won the “DC Metro Breakthrough Artist of the Year” in 2006. Since then, he has released multiple albums and has been featured on countless songs such as “No Hands” by Waka Flocka Flame. He connected with the teams through his music and tumbled off song after song to make for a great performance. 

His energy and success is but a foreshadowing for the “historic” seasons to come from both the men’s and women’s sports teams. I for one will be attending every game, ogling for a free shirt and reminding any competitors what it means to be a Ram.