The Illinois State Redbirds are the athletic teams that represent Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Teams play at the NCAA Division I level (I-AA in football). The football team competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference while most other teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The fight song is Go, You Redbirds.

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History

Illinois State began its athletics program more than 100 years ago. The school, which had already been an NCAA Division I competitor for more than a decade, left behind its independent status during the 1981-82 school year and affiliated itself with the Missouri Valley Conference.

From approximately 1910-1970, Illinois State was affiliated with the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.



Athletics at Illinois State consists of 19 intercollegiate sports, having won 125 league titles in 23 years.

Today, 17 of the 19 Redbird sports compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, with the football team playing in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, formerly known as the Gateway Conference.

Accomplishments

Men's Basketball

Conference Title: 1983, 1990, 1993,1997, 1998 NCAA Appearances: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1997, 1998

• In 2008 they reached the NIT with a 25-10 record, They won their first round game as a 2 seed but ended up losing to Dayton in the 2nd round.

Women's Basketball

Conference Title: 1983, 1989, 2005, 2008, 2009 NCAA Appearances: 1983, 1985, 1989, 2005, 2008

• In 2008 the women made it to the NCAA tournament with a 26-6 record as a 13 seed but lost first round to the Oklahoma
• During the 2007-2008 season, former Head Coach Dr. Jill Hutchinson was recognized for her pioneering work in the advancement of women’s basketball. A banner was hung from the rafters at Redbird Arena in her honor.
• 2009 Kristi Cirone becomes the all time leading scorer.

Football

Conference title: 1999
NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs: 1998, 1999, 2006

• In 1999 the Redbirds football team won 2 playoff games making it into the Final Four and receiving 3rd in the AP poll.

Facilities

• Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena -The main indoor arena,
• Hancock Stadium -football stadium,
• Adelaide Street Field -soccer field,
• McCormick Courts -outdoor tennis courts,
• Duffy Bass Field -baseball field,
• Redbird Softball Complex -softball field,
• Weibring Golf Club -golf course,
• Horton Field House
• Evergreen Racquet Club -indoor tennis court

Notable former athletes

• Dave Bergman - retired Major League Baseball player and World Series Champion (1984)
• Aveion Cason - National Football League Running back
• Anthony Slack - College basketball Forward
• Doug Collins - NBA broadcaster, head coach, player and Olympian
• Neal Cotts - MLB baseball player with the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs
• Matt Herges - Major League Baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins and Cleveland Indians
• Rico Hill - star guard led ISU to two straight NCAA berths and played for the Los Angeles Clippers and in Europe
• Mike Prior - Former National Football League player and part of Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI
• Dennis Nelson - Former National Football League player and part of Baltimore Colts team that won Super Bowl V
• Lorene Ramsey - Former Women's Basketball coach of Illinois Central College, who with a career record of 887-197
• Robinson, Laurent - Current NFL Wide Receiver with the St.Louis Rams. Selected in the 3rd round (75th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft.
• Dan Kolb - Major League Baseball relief pitcher
• D. A. Weibring - Professional golfer on the PGA Tour
• Boomer Grigsby - National Football League Fullback
• Steve Fisher - Current basketball coach at San Diego State, head coach of 1989 National Championship Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
• Lee "Buzz" Capra - former Atlanta Braves pitcher who led the National League in Earned Run Average in 1973