EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University students and basketball fans will get their first look at the 2023-24 Warriors during Homecoming Week at ESU's "Warrior Madness in Memory of Ryan Smith" on Thursday, October 5 at 7:30 p.m. inside Koehler Fieldhouse.

The event, which is free admission, will include the introduction of the men's and women's basketball teams along with performances by the ESU band, cheerleaders and others groups. ESU students will have opportunities to win prizes with contests and giveaways throughout the event.

Along with introductions and performances, a wing-eating contest, 3-point shooting and dunk contest highlight the annual first look at both squads prior to their first official practice. 

Students will also get an opportunity to meet ESU's Homecoming Royalty and can vote on-site inside Koehler Fieldhouse.

The event is named in honor of Ryan Smith, a former ESU men's basketball student-athlete at ESU, battled acute myeloid leukemia (AML) for 19 months until his passing on March 22, 2021. The annual midnight madness tournament was renamed in Smith's honor prior to the 2021 event.

Doors to the Koehler Fieldhouse arena will open at 6:00 p.m., with the ESU Coaches Show taking place inside Koehler Fieldhouse prior to Warrior Madness.

For those that are unable to attend, Warrior Madness in Memory of Ryan Smith will be broadcasted on the PSAC Sports Digital Network.