A small Indiana town between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne is the center of college basketball one night in December. The annual Taylor University Silent Night Game is not your typical college basketball game. The small Christian college in Upland has an enrollment of 2,376 plus, but it becomes the center of attention on a frigid December night.
The Silent Night Game might be one of the best traditions you have never heard about. It began in 1997, but students have attended the game in pajamas since the late 1980s. Students camp out days before the game to secure a prime spot inside the gym; once they are allowed to enter on game day, they are dressed in elaborate costumes. Students are dressed up as burgers, Krispy Kreme employees, highlanders, ducks, and Minions.
The rest of the general admission ticket holders wait inside the lobby before they find a seat an hour before the game. The festivities include students taking shots and dunks on the open net, singing in unison, and showing off their light bracelets.
When the game begins, the gymnasium is quiet except for players' sneakers squeaking on the court. No one peeps until the 10th point is scored; when it happens, the entire student section storms the court in celebration. It is a spectacular scene with the multiple colors of the costumes dripping onto the basketball court.
After everything is over, the students go back to their seats, and the game begins, with cheering and screaming from the entire audience. Taylor’s opponent was Moody Bible College, who looked more like the Washington Generals at times during the game. The Trojans had a series of dunks and fast-break plays that excited the crowd, which remained active throughout the night.
Several students run onto the court during timeouts to put on small skits, students sing renditions of popular songs, and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb makes an appearance during halftime. The students surrounding the court are about three rows deep and hover as close to the court as possible.
The game ends with the singing of “Silent Night” in the final minutes of the game. The entire building sings shoulder-to-shoulder the traditional Christmas song that caps off a magical night on the campus of Taylor University.
Taylor has an impressive 26-1 record, and The Silent Night tradition is more than just a basketball game—it’s a testament to the power of community, the creativity of students, and the joy of shared experiences. It stands out in the landscape of college sports for its combination of humor, celebration, and reverence.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
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