Illinois State Redbirds
| Illinois State Redbirds | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| University | Illinois State University |
| Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletic director | Larry Lyons |
| Location | Normal, Illinois |
| Varsity teams | 17 (7 men's, 10 women's) |
| Football stadium | Hancock Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Redbird Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Duffy Bass Field |
| Mascot | Reggie Redbird |
| Nickname | Redbirds |
| Fight song | Go, You Redbirds |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Website | www |
The Illinois State Redbirds are the athletic teams that represent Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Teams play at the NCAA Division I level (FCS 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.
A member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Illinois State University sponsors eight men's and eleven women's teams in NCAA sanctioned sports:
Illinois State began its athletics program more than 100 years ago. The school, which had already been an NCAA Division I competitor for a decade, left behind its independent status in 1980 and affiliated itself with the Missouri Valley Conference. From 1981 to 1992, Redbird women's teams competed under the Gateway Conference banner before women's sports were absorbed into the Missouri Valley Conference.
In 1923, athletics director Clifford E. "Pop" Horton and the Daily Pantagraph sports editor Fred Young collaborated to change the university's nickname from "Teachers." Horton wanted "Cardinals" because the colors were cardinal and white (set in 1895-69). Young changed the nickname to "Red Birds" to avoid confusion in the headlines with the St. Louis Cardinals. It took roughly 10 years for Red Birds to become one word. Since that time, Illinois State Athletics' fans have been enjoying the rich success that nearly all Redbird Athletics teams have enjoyed.
From approximately 1910-1970, Illinois State was affiliated with the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
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