NORMAL, Ill. - When the Illinois State football team heads to Charleston, Ill., Sept. 1 to play Eastern Illinois in the 2011 season-opener, it will mark the 100th meeting between the in-state rivals in the newly-labeled Mid-America Classic. Don't miss out on a chance to be a part of this historic meeting, hop on the bus and eat well at a pre-game tailgate sponsored by the ISU Alumni Association and Athletics Department.
The bus will depart from the Illinois State University Alumni Center (1101 N. Main St., Normal) at 1:30 p.m., with a cost of $20 for a ride to Charleston for the game. The bus will then drop fans off at a tailgate party from 4-6 p.m. at Billy's Backyard, located southwest of O'Brien Field.
Fans will have the opportunity to meet Illinois State President Dr. Al Bowman and Athletics Director Gary Friedman and also network with fellow alumni and friends. The Mid-America Classic Trophy, which will travel each year to the school of the winning team, will also be at the tailgate from 4:30-5:30 p.m. for fans to see and get pictures with. Admission to the tailgate party will be $20 and includes dinner, all beverages, and spirit pack. Kids ages two and under are free.
After the tailgate is over, fans can take the short walk to the stadium and watch the Redbirds and Panthers square off for the 100th time in history. Game tickets are $17, with the bus scheduled to depart from O'Brien Field immediately following the game.
Interested fans can register online or contact Alumni Relations at (309) 438-2586, (800) 366-4478, or Alumni@IllinoisState.edu. The deadline to register for the trip is Friday, Aug. 26.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
