Colorful ‘Silent Night’ storm returns with a two-handed slam

It’s Christmas at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Friday night was the last game of the fall semester before finals, and the students came out – dressed in a dazzling mix of light blue, green, orange, pink and every other color of the rainbow.

Groups dressed as Loraxes. Others were Flintstones. Many wore suits and ties. Even a few SpongeBobs and Patricks showed up in a menagerie of costumes and colors.

The game started, but the student section remained completely silent.

A goal was scored, but there was no cheering.

Then junior Pete Combs dunked for the Trojans’ 10th point. Within seconds, the field was flooded, with players running to the scorer’s table to get away from the approaching crowd. The student section burst into life and many of the 2,217 people poured onto the ground in a jubilant stampede.

This is the “Silent Night” tradition at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.

The students put on Christmas-colored clothes and remain silent until the tenth point of the game is scored. Then they rush to court.

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— College Hoops Database (@CollegeHoopsTIk) December 6, 2025

This moment has come to define Taylor’s decades-long Silent Night tradition. The custom dates back to 1980, when students first attended the final basketball game of the fall semester in their pajamas. In 1997, the school began allowing an outright rush onto the court once the 10th point was scored. Over the years, pajamas gave way to elaborate and wildly creative costumes.

No technical foul will be penalized for the celebration of the 10th point. Instead, a media timeout will be called immediately after Taylor scores his 10th point, according to the NAIA school’s website. After officials cleared the court — and called a timeout — the cheering began in earnest.

Fans witnessed a 118-33 Trojans blowout over Moody Bible in Chicago on Friday night. In the final two minutes, Pharaohs, Loraxes and an array of costumed characters linked arms and waved together as they sang “Silent Night” to close out the match.

Since 1997, except for 2020 when the competition was canceled due to COVID, the ‘Silent Night’ competition has been held every fall on the last Friday before the finals. During that time, Taylor has amassed a 27-1 record in ‘Silent Night’ games.