NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State women's basketball team has a pair of exciting promotions planned in conjunction with this weekend's Missouri Valley Conference home stand.
Pride Night – Friday, Feb. 4 vs. Evansville
ISU Athletics hosts Pride Night on Friday, recognizing LGBTQ+ efforts in the Bloomington-Normal community and shining a light on education, resources and events on ISU's campus. Redbird Athletics aims to foster an inclusive environment characterized by cultural understanding, respect and social justice.
The Alamo II will be at the game with a variety of Illinois State Pride items and merchandise available for purchase.
Giveaways include rainbow masks, courtesy of the Prairie Pride Coalition (while supplies last) and a Pride flag flyer with local campus and community resources.
ISU Athletics will also be fundraising for the LGBTQ+ Student Support Endowment, which provides support for educational programming related to LGBTQ+ topics. In addition, student scholarships and emergency financial assistance may be provided for students who are not receiving sufficient financial support based on life circumstances and/or a member of a group that supports LGBTQ+ issues.
In-game promotions include "Did You Know?" national and campus insight questions during timeouts.
Play4Kay – Sunday, Feb. 6 vs. Indiana State
The Redbirds host their 12th annual Play4Kay game on Sunday, fundraising for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the fight against ALL cancers affecting women. ISU Athletics is partnering with the Carle Cancer Institute Normal, Carle Bromenn Medical Center and Mennonite College of Nursing to support the cause.
Cancer survivors can register to receive free tickets at www.goredbirds.com/play4kay. The deadline for registration is Feb. 4.
Arrive early at Sunday's game to join the team in filling out "I Play For" signs. After the national anthem, we will remember and honor those in our lives that are currently battling or have fought cancer.
During the game, treadmills and bikes will be used by registered participants who have independently fundraised for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
At halftime, there will be an on-court recognition of all cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease. Any survivor of any type of cancer is invited to participate.
The Illinois State women's basketball team was named a Play4Kay divisional winner for the sixth year in a row last June, as the Redbirds raised the more money than any other non-BCS Division I school. ISU has raised over $200,000 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in their 11 years hosting a Play4Kay game.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, Illinois State Athletics, and the Carle Cancer Institute Normal announced in February of 2019 the launch of a fundraising campaign benefiting the Kay Yow Cancer Fund that can result in a $150,000 grant in support of a program that will serve the underserved in the Bloomington/Normal community. All money collected during this years' event assist in our efforts to reach our campaign goal.
For questions about this weekend's events, please contact Marketing Graduate Assistant PJ McLees at at_pamclee@ilstu.edu, or by phone at (309) 438-3399.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
