Sixers Hold Open Practice at Liacouras Center

A select group of fans got the chance to ask Sixer players questions and received an autographed shirt from them.

The Philadelphia 76ers participated in a Comcast-Spectacor hosted event at the Liacouras Center called "Hoops Hysteria" with the Temple University men's and womens' basketball teams on Wednesday, October 16. Included in the evening's festivities, which was opened to the public free of charge , was a Sixers' practice, as well as musical entertainment, fan interactives, and a co-ed scrimmage between the Owls' men's and women's team.

"We are looking forward to holding our open practice at the Liacouras Center this year," said 76ers General Manager Billy King prior to the event. "Philadelphia is a tremendous basketball city, both on the collegiate and professional level. This is a great opportunity for us, along with our parent company, Comcast-Spectacor, to give back to the greatest basketball fans in the world."

Fans enjoyed a number of activities on the concourse, including a dance party setup complete with disc jockey Norap, face painters and clowns, and 76ers' games. The 76ers took the floor and fans got a first-hand look at the 2002-03 edition of their professional squad. Coach Larry Brown put his team through a variety of drills. After the practice, Todd MacCulloch introduced the team.

Following the Sixers' practice, the Temple squads were introduced and took part in a co-ed scrimmage. Fans heard from the two coaches, John Chaney and Dawn Staley, and got to watch the Owls battle it out. Following the scrimmage, an hour of entertainment began, including Philadelphia International Records recording artists, Young Steff and Dem Boyz, while Power 99's Q-Deezy emceed. Also included were the Temple University mascot Hooter and Temple Dance Team, and 76ers' mascot Hip-Hop and Sixers Dance Team. The evening culminated with a Temple Student Tip-off Party with a student dunk and three-point shooting contest.