TOLEDO, Ohio — It's a great time of year for Toledo sports fans, as the Rockets football team is standing at the top of the Mid-American Conference.
And next month, the University of Toledo's basketball season tips off.
The Rockets are ready to land at Savage Arena once again for the 2023-24 season.
The men's team has been MAC regular season champions for three years in a row and is looking to nab the gold for the fourth year in a row.
And to do so, head coach Tod Kowalczyk said the team will need the help of the local crowd.
"When we get the students out and they energize our players, our players play better. They're the catalyst, and then the community gets involved, so it just makes it more fun," he said.
The women's team is coming off one of their best seasons in school history, making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after winning the MAC tournaments.
And for the women's team, the support of the crowd also gives the players a boost, head coach Tricia Cullop said.
"We want to play well for our fans because they show up in droves for us," she said. "I think the pride of playing at home -- Savage is such a great venue -- we want to take pride in protecting this court."
UT will also host the annual Tricks, Treats, and Dunks event at the Savage Arena on Thursday at 6 p.m., where families can bring their kids in costume to meet the team and have fun, safe, indoor trick or treating.
"It's such a fun, relaxed atmosphere," Cullop said. "There's a pumpkin carving contest, there's a chance to get autographed posters from both teams, there's a costume contest and sometimes parents take part in that."
And of course, there will be free candy.
The men's team's home opener is set for Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. against Detroit Mercy.
The women's team's home opener is set for Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. against Cincinnati. The women's team beat Michigan last year and will host them again on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
The coaches want to see the seats filled for every home game.
"We've been so blessed," Cullop said. "We were 24th in the country in attendance last year, and I hope we can climb even higher. Let's crack the top 20. Our fans are amazing, we are so grateful for each and every one of them, I hope they bring their friends this year."
Kowalczyk, too, touted the excellence of the Rockets fans.
"We lead the league in men's basketball, women's basketball and football," he said. "That's never been done in the conference history. So, we've got a great fan base and I think last year we had a fantastic season. Mid-American Conference champs three years in a row, so now we're looking to go for four."