It is the most wonderful time of the year, which means that it is time for the most wonderful tradition in college basketball. Taylor University held its famous Silent Night game on Friday.
The students stormed the court DURING the middle of the first half!
Taylor, for those who don’t know, is a private evangelical Christian university in Upland, Indiana. Founded in 1846, it enrolls just over 2,000 students.
Each year, on the Friday before finals week, the Trojans celebrate together by attending a sold-out basketball game. The Christmas tradition dates back to 1997.
Students wear costumes to the gym, but they don’t say a single word to each other upon arrival. It is a truly “silent” night— until the 10th point is scored.
At that point, after keeping completely quiet, the students all rush onto the court and go bonkers.
All you can hear is the squeaking of shoes, until that crucial 10th point is scored. And then it’s mayhem!
While a mid-game court storm would typically warrant a technical foul, the officials are briefed on the plan. A media timeout is issued immediately after Taylor scores its 10th point and lasts until the court is cleared.
To close out the evening, students join together in unison for a rendition of ‘Silent Night.’
Silent Night finale at Taylor. Very moving experience. Happy Holidays to all! pic.twitter.com/ZKD2jnsIAB
— Brian Tonsoni (@Soni42) December 9, 2023
Even getting into the arena is an experience! Watch closely.
The guy in the pink bunny suit sends Hamburglar flying over the banana. A girl wearing a Guy Fieri flames shirt eats it hard while trying to climb the steps. Batman comes flying out from under the hoop. A few people got wrecked by their classmates amid the chaos!
Everything about Taylor’s Silent Night game is what makes college basketball so special. There are a lot of different traditions across the sport and across the country. Very few, if any, can compare to what takes place in Indiana each December!