Illinois State Redbirds

Illinois State Redbirds
The Illinois State Redbirds are a Division I athletic program at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Reggie Redbird is an official mascot for Illinois State Redbirds.

The Illinois State Redbirds Football Team competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the oldest collegiate league west of the Mississippi River. While most other teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. Today, 17 of the 19 Redbird sports compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Illinois State started off its athletics program more than 100 years ago and the winning began simultaneously. Hancock Stadium was the first playing host to football game in 1963.

Go, You Redbirds is the fight song for the athletic teams of Illinois State University which was written in 1932. However, the words have been changed from time to time.

From 1910 to 1970, Illinois State was affiliated with the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The school which had already been an NCAA Division I competitor for more than a decade left behind its independent status during the 1981-82 school year. It, later, affiliated itself with conference play.

Having won 125 league titles in the last years, today Athletics at Illinois State consists of 19 intercollegiate sports.

The glow from the Teflon-coated roof on game night inspires references to Redbird Arena as the ?Crown Jewel' of athletics facilities and amenities.

Since 1989, Redbird Arena has served as the home of Illinois State University basketball and volleyball. The Illinois State Redbirds championship banners and retired jerseys overhead suggest the epicenter of Illinois State's status as ?The Home of Champions'.

The players, the fans, the organizers, the promoters, the events ... they all combine to develop Redbird Arena's ?Crown Jewel' status which the Champaign News Gazette called ?The best college basketball arena in Illinois'. Redbird Arena is built at the corner of College Ave., and Main St., two miles south of exit 165.

Players love to enjoy the status as well as amazing arrangements. Prior to the awe-inspiring atmosphere of game day, Redbird Arena sets the standard for comfort, convenience and class in college basketball.

The facilities include comfortable locker rooms plus full-service training as well as other strength facilities just a few steps away.

Since there is something for everyone, fans too have a lot to get pleasure from. With close-to-the-court seating for 10,200, Redbird Arena's inviting ambience allows fans to be a part of its games and keeps them on the edges of their seats.

Moreover, the event is equally important for sports officials and promoters. Be it conference tournaments, NCAA events or high school championships, Redbird Arena has proven equal to the highest standards. The venue is indeed capable of setting new ones.