NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State's Feb. 17 men's basketball game against Northern Iowa has been selected as the annual Retro Night game, sponsored by Ford.
In addition to the throwback I-State uniforms, men's basketball will welcome back the 1975-78 teams led by Head Coach Gene Smithson. In addition to Coach Smithson, members of the teams will be honored at halftime, including NBA draft picks Jeff Wilkins (second round in 1977 to the San Antonio Spurs), Randy Henry (eighth round in 1976 to the Detroit Pistons), Billy Lewis (fourth round in 1978 to the Seattle SuperSonics), Derrick Mayes (sixth round in 1979 to the Milwaukee Bucks), the family of Del Yarbrough (ninth round in 1980 to the Milwaukee Bucks), and Joe Galvin (fifth round in 1980 to the Indiana Pacers).
The first 300 Illinois State students in attendance will receive a retro pocket t-shirt sponsored by Red Alert. Fraternity and Sorority Life at Illinois State will also be celebrated. All Greek chapters are invited to decorate a retro-themed banner that will hang in Redbird Arena. For more information, contact Zach Schroeder, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing at zrschro@ilstu.edu or visit the Fraternity and Sorority Life office.
PNC Bank is also proud to present a cell phone wallet giveaway to all fans while supplies last.
Redbird Athletics also celebrates the rich history and tradition of education at Illinois State by celebrating teachers and professors on campus and in the Central Illinois community. All teachers are invited to take advantage of a ticket/t-shirt special. For just $19, teachers can select their upper bowl seat and t-shirt size for the exclusive giveaway item. In order to receive the shirt, orders must be completed by Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 4:30 p.m. Use promo code TEACHER18 at www.goredbirds.com/promotions to order. Full and partial season ticket holders are able to purchase the t-shirt for $8 by calling the Redbird Athletics Ticket Office at 309-438-8000.
Coach Smithson led his teams to back-to-back NIT appearances in 1977 and 1978. In 1977, the Redbirds topped fourth ranked UNLV at Horton Field House, and in 1978 the team defeated fourth ranked Indiana State, led by Larry Bird, again at Horton Field House. The 1978 team finished the season 24-4, reaching as high as 13th in the Associated Press national poll, which remains the highest ranking in program history. Smithson compiled a 66-18 record over his three seasons, and all three of his teams won at least 20 games.
Illinois State has a 13-11 overall record, and have won three consecutive games. The Redbirds host Southern Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 8, and at Valparaiso on Sunday, February 11.
