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The meeting of two top-10-ranked teams, for only the second time in
the history of Hancock Stadium, is just part of the athletics
department's homecoming festivities. Friday night also tips off the
men's and women's basketball season with Redbird HoopFest, sponsored
by The Pantagraph and Radio Bloomington. Fans are encouraged to
come early Friday as the Redbirds celebrate the pageantry of
homecoming, beginning at 5:45 p.m. with the annual Torch Light
Parade. The parade will be led by the ISU pep band and will march to
Redbird Arena for Redbird HoopFest.
Redbird HoopFest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and admission
is free. Fans will get their first chance to see their basketball
heroes as the 'Birds are introduced to the crowd, compete in 3-point
and dunk contests, and play intrasquad scrimmages.
In addition to the team activities, one lucky fan will have the
opportunity to walk away with $10,000 in the "money ball shot,"
sponsored by Papa John's. A randomly selected contestant will have
one shot at half court to claim the winnings. One member of Red
Alert will also be randomly picked to enter the "money machine,"
sponsored by Commerce Bank, where he or she will have 30 seconds to
collect up to $500 that will be floating around inside the machine.
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 At the conclusion of Redbird HoopFest, the band will lead fans
back outside the north entrance of Redbird Arena, where everyone
will be greeted by a concert from Mike and Joe prior to head
football coach Denver Johnson taking the podium to set the stage for
Saturday's big game against Southern Illinois.
Tickets for the homecoming contest between the two nationally
ranked in-state rivals continue to be in great demand. Parking lots
will open at 11:30 a.m. for fans to tailgate as they prepare to
cheer on the 'Birds to victory. Providing entertainment for
tailgaters in the east lot, prior to kickoff, will be local band
favorite Merge, while in the Ropp lot, Sister Groove will be
performing.
For more information on activities surrounding the big football
game, Redbird HoopFest or tailgating, visit
GoRedbirds.com.
[News release provided by Jeffrey Salmon, assistant media
relations director,
Illinois
State University] |
