NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State athletics marketing office has announced the promotional schedule for the 2021-22 men's basketball season.
The season opens on Tuesday, November 9 against UNCW for the team's home- and season-opener, just the third time in the last 10 seasons at the Redbirds have opened a season at home.
On Tuesday, November 16 ISU hosts Murray State, and the first 500 students in attendance will receive an ISU-branded Bluetooth speaker. Four days later, on November 20 against Bucknell, the Redbirds will host Youth Basketball Night, where local basketball teams (junior high age and under) will be offered a special group rate.
December opens with the earliest MVC contest in program history on December 1 against Missouri State, as ISU will host Special Olympics Night, where members of the Special Olympics team will perform at halftime at Redbird Arena. The game is also the first "Haturday" of the season, with hats being distributed to the first 250 students in attendance, presented by Young America.
Ball State comes to town on Saturday, December 18 for Reggie's Kids Club Day where RKC members can receive a free ticket in the lower bowl, while fans can be students for a day, and purchase tickets in the student section for just $10.
A mid-week, mid-afternoon game on Tuesday, December 21 against UTSA will be Day Camp Day, where local day camps in central Illinois can purchase $2 tickets to attend the game.
After the new year, ISU will host a pair of High School Team Nights, the first on Wednesday, January 5 against Loyola and the second on Wednesday, February 9 against Valparaiso. For these two dates, local high school teams can provide the ticket office their roster for free admission.
The January 5 contest against the Ramblers will also be a "Student for A Day" game where fans can purchase student-section tickets for just $10.
Against Bradley on Sunday, January 16, not only is the game the first of a home-and-home in the I-74 Rivalry series, but will also be a Neon World Record attempt, as the marketing department will be giving away 5,000 glow sticks to be used at once for an attempt at a world record.
Sunday, January 23 against Evansville will be Retro Day for ISU men's basketball.
The team's January 26 mid-week game against Drake and the first 600 students will receive a special replica jersey for the game.
On Saturday, February 5, ISU will be hosting its annual "Taste of Redbirds" event at Horton Fieldhouse, while the game is also "Haturday" presented by Young America, where students will receive a limited-edition hat.
The team's mid-week battle with UNI on Wednesday, February 16 will be the Athletic Department's AFNI Honor Roll night, where every student-athlete with at least a 3.0 grade point average will be recognized on the Redbird Arena floor at halftime.
Senior day follows on Saturday, February 26, as the Athletic Department will also be recognizing its Golden Redbird Award Winner. Young fans will also have a chance prior to the game to participate in a dance clinic, with those in the clinic performing at halftime of the game.
All season long, fans can purchase Family Ticket Packs. These will include four upper bowl tickets for $44 as well as four hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Additional tickets and food vouchers can be added to the four-pack for $11 each. There will also be an option to purchase partial plans of 3 or 6 games. With this package, you will be able to select the games that work best for you.
Single game tickets for men's basketball home games will start at $10 with group prices starting at $6 per ticket.
Season tickets for both men's and women's basketball seasons are still available for purchase. For more information on single-game or season tickets, go to GoRedbirds.com/tickets or call the Redbird Athletics ticket office at 309-438-8000.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
