The first round of the 2004 Womens Preseason National Invitation Tournament features Illinois State at Notre Dame and Redbird fans can take a comfortable trip on a Peoria Charter Coach bus to see Redbird coach Robin Pingeton open her second season Nov. 12 at the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center on the Notre Dame campus.
Pingeton returns three senior starters from a team which shocked the Missouri Valley Conference and much of college womens basketball by more than doubling its win total from 2002-03 to 2003-04. The Redbirds finished 16-13 last season, playing an exciting style which place them No. 4 in the nation in three-point field goals made.
Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw has four starters returning from an Irish team which won 21 games and earned an NCAA Tournament bid last season. Tipoff time is 8 p.m. central (Northern Indiana is on eastern time starting in November, so Notre Dame schedules will say 9 p.m.).
The Redbird Womens Basketball Fan Bus will depart at 4:30 p.m. from the south end of the parking lot at the former Eagle Grocery Store on North Main Street in Normal. It will travel directly to Notre Dame, Ind., and fans are invited to bring their own food and beverages for the trip.
Tickets for the bus are $25 each. Game tickets are $8 each and can be purchased either from Redbird Arena Ticket Office or at the Joyce ACC entrance. The fan bus will return promptly after the game.
For reservations on the Redbird Womens Basketball Fan Bus, call The Redbird Club office at (309) 438-3803 to place an order. Deadline for reservations is 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8.
