Pepperdine Graphic

Another Year, Another Blue and Orange Madness

by

President Jim Gash lets it loose for his traditional half-court shot for Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Gash made the bucket in 2023, however, he could not go back-to-back. Photos by Perse Klopp
President Jim Gash lets it loose for his traditional half-court shot for Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Gash made the bucket in 2023, however, he could not go back-to-back. Photos by Perse Klopp

Waves Weekend 2024 was electric.

From Oct. 4 through Oct. 6, over 1,800 Pepperdine Waves, family and friends showed up for the weekend.

In a jam-packed Firestone Fieldhouse on Oct. 4, the first night ended with the annual Blue and Orange Madness rally to kickstart the basketball seasons for the Waves. Men’s Basketball Head Coach Ed Schilling and Women’s Basketball Head Coach Katie Faulkner made appearances to the student body for the first time following their hires this past spring.

Both basketball teams competed in a series of competitions, like knockout and a challenge called “Shooting Stars,” which involved both teams facing off to see who could make a layup, free-throw, three-pointer and half-court shot the quickest.

Redshirt sophomore guard David Mager made his return to the dunk contest against newcomer freshman guards Jaxon Olvera and Taj Au-Duke. Mager took to the skies and balled out in front of judges Gash, Faulkner and Willie T. Wave, ultimately walking away as the champion.

The madness ended with a couple of half-court shots from Gash, a yearly occurrence that grants two undergraduate students with free tuition if he banks it, which he so happened to swish in 2023. Unfortunately, Gash couldn’t secure the back-to-back.

Redshirt sophomore David Mager hurdles his teammate, sophomore guard Dovydas Butka, during one of his dunk contest attempts. Mager was the only returner to this year's contest, picking up the win over freshman guards Jaxon Olvera and Taj Au-Duke
Redshirt sophomore David Mager hurdles his teammate, sophomore guard Dovydas Butka, during one of his dunk contest attempts. Mager was the only returner to this year's contest, picking up the win over freshman guards Jaxon Olvera and Taj Au-Duke

Senior guard Addi Melone embraces her teammate during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Women's Basketball season opener is at home Nov. 1 against Westcliff.
Senior guard Addi Melone embraces her teammate during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Women's Basketball season opener is at home Nov. 1 against Westcliff.

Dunk contest judges, President Jim Gash, Women's Basketball Head Coach Katie Faulkner and Willie T. Wave, await a dunk from a dunk contest contestant during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Returner Mager took the dub.
Dunk contest judges, President Jim Gash, Women's Basketball Head Coach Katie Faulkner and Willie T. Wave, await a dunk from a dunk contest contestant during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Returner Mager took the dub.

A sea of Waves get rowdy during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Waves Weekend saw over 1,800 throughout the festivities with night one ending on a packed crowd of eager Waves for the 2024-25 season.
A sea of Waves get rowdy during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Waves Weekend saw over 1,800 throughout the festivities with night one ending on a packed crowd of eager Waves for the 2024-25 season.

Megan Harkey, senior forward/center and Graphic Staff Writer, looks into the sea of Waves to giveaway a free shirt during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Harkey started 20 games for the Waves during the 2023-24 season, totaling 27 offensive and 55 defensive rebounds, with 18 blocks and three steals.
Megan Harkey, senior forward/center and Graphic Staff Writer, looks into the sea of Waves to giveaway a free shirt during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Harkey started 20 games for the Waves during the 2023-24 season, totaling 27 offensive and 55 defensive rebounds, with 18 blocks and three steals.

The Pepperdine Cheer team captured mid performance during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. The squad made a special appearance at the event, giving the student body a sneak peak at what to expect for the upcoming season.
The Pepperdine Cheer team captured mid performance during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. The squad made a special appearance at the event, giving the student body a sneak peak at what to expect for the upcoming season.

The Men's Basketball team cheers on their teammates in the dunk contest during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Men's Basketball season opener is a home match against Lincoln University on Nov. 2.
The Men's Basketball team cheers on their teammates in the dunk contest during Blue and Orange Madness on Oct. 4, at Firestone Fieldhouse. Men's Basketball season opener is a home match against Lincoln University on Nov. 2.

_________________

Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic

Email Justin Rodriguez: justin.rodriguez@pepperdine.edu