SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Andre Iguodala jams the ball during the slam-dunk competition at last year's Midnight Madness festivities at McKale Center.

UA officials have called for an end to the Madness.

For the first time since 1999, the UA men's basketball season will not open with the popular "Midnight Madness," the athletics department announced Friday. Replacing the fan-favorite event will be an intrasquad scrimmage, followed by a 45-minute autograph session at McKale Center on Saturday, Oct. 18.

In previous years, Midnight Madness has been the fans' first look at the new Wildcat squad. Past events have included slam-dunk contests, 3-point shootouts, scrimmages and fan-friendly promotions to introduce the team. Traditionally, the event is held at midnight on the first day that squads are permitted to practice as a team, with many schools holding festivities nationwide.

"I think if it were up to the players, they like Midnight Madness," assistant coach Josh Pastner said. "They also understand that our goal is not Midnight Madness, but to win the Pac-10 and a national championship."

According to the assistant coach and former UA player, practices that have followed Midnight Madness in past years left players sluggish and tired.

"We can't afford to lose out on a practice day," Pastner said. "Last year, we had a veteran team. We could get away with having a day like that. But this year, we have a young team and need to take advantage of that situation."

Head coach Lute Olson knows the decision may disappoint the fans of the event, but believes the new setup will allow the team to have a quality practice while giving family and friends a chance to acquaint themselves with this year's Wildcats.

The scrimmage ÷ free and open to all fans ÷ that replaces Midnight Madness will simulate a game situation, complete with referees, and is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. The autograph session will follow the conclusion of the scrimmage.

An afternoon start is intended to allow families to bring children out to the arena to meet the players. In the old Midnight Madness format, events would end close to 1 a.m.

Some students disapprove of scrapping the previous format.

"I'm surprised they did away with it," said Cheri Farber, a senior majoring in Spanish. "It seems like they are breaking a tradition."

Farber said the ones who will miss out the most will be this year's freshmen, who won't be able to experience the event.

"I think they shouldn't change it," journalism senior Kevin Mitchell said. "It should be for the students."

The popularity of Midnight Madness reached its peak last season when over 11,000 fans packed into McKale Center to watch the events, which were emceed by actor Tom Arnold. Last year's events began with a women's volleyball match in which the Wildcats upset No. 4 Stanford in front of over 9,000 fans. The rest of the night featured skits including Arnold and players from the men's and women's teams, along with skills contests and a brief practice.

Midnight Madness originated at the University of Maryland in 1970 with Terrapins head coach Charles "Lefty" Driesell. Since then, Midnight Madness has become a national tradition, celebrated by schools throughout the country.