Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers will hold their annual Basketball Madness this Thursday, October 18 at 9 pm and Fan Day on Saturday, October 20 at 2 pm in Halton Arena.

Basketball Madness, the official start of the 2012-13 basketball season, will be held on October 18 from 9:00-10:30 pm.  The first 500 fans in the door receive a foam pick hand. The annual basketball tip-off will feature a meet and greet with the men's and women's basketball teams, a slam dunk contest with a surprise dunker, a skills challenge with some new twists and entertaining video features. Back for the second year as host is 49ers alum and current meteorologist for WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, South Carolina, Garrett Bedenbaugh.  Admission is free to the event and doors open at 8:45 pm. Students are encouraged to enter via the student entrance in Halton Arena.

In addition, Basketball Madness will be streamed live on Charlotte49ers.com, also for free and it will be aired live on Time Warner Cable Channel 22 (in Mecklenburg County).

The more family-friendly Fan Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. The doors open at 1:30 pm. The 49ers women's basketball team will scrimmage at 2 pm and the men's basketball team will scrimmage at 2:30 pm. Both teams will be signing autographs, and Junior 49ers Club members will have the opportunity to interview 49ers players.

Coinciding with Fan Day will be a free youth clinic for kids grade K-6. Please register on-line here.  Registration closes for the clinic at Noon on Friday, October 19.

The 49ers men's basketball program is beginning their third season under Head Coach Alan Major. Charlotte returns three starters and eight letterwinners off last season's team led by preseason second-team All-Atlantic 10 selection senior Chris Braswell, junior guard DeMario Mayfield and preseason A-10 All-Defensive team selection sophomore Pierria Henry.

The 49ers host Pfeiffer in an exhibition game in Halton Arena on Thursday, November 1 at 7 pm. Charlotte tips off the regular-season against Charleston Southern in Halton Arena on Friday, November 9 at 6 pm.

The women's squad, which has advanced to ten straight post-season tournaments, is entering their second season under Head Coach Cara Consuegra. The 49ers return nine letterwinners and five starters from last season's WNIT team led by seniors Jennifer Hailey, Jai Forney and Amanda Dowe. The 49ers host Johnson C. Smith in an exhibition game in Halton Arena on Saturday, November 3 at 7 pm. Charlotte tips off the regular-season against North Carolina Central in Halton Arena on Friday, November 10 at 6 pm.

Season tickets are now on-sale through Charlotte49ers.com or by calling 704-687-4949. Men's basketball season tickets begin at $49 and women's basketball season tickets start at $30. Partial men's basketball season ticket plans include an individual pack for $90 (Gold Zone seating) and the Harris Teeter Family Zone Partial Plan for $120, four tickets in the Blue Zone. Plans include five games - Florida State, East Carolina, Xavier, VCU, and the home opener against Charleston Southern. Partial season plans and single game tickets will be available for purchase at Fan Day or on Monday, October 22 at 9am and remain available throughout the season, as they will be prorated upon conclusion of games in the package.