Full Promotions Schedule
CHAMPAIGN – The Fighting Illini women's basketball program announced its 2017-18 home game promotions on Tuesday. The Orange and Blue have an exciting schedule of events happening throughout the season, highlighted by the annual Pack the House event on Jan. 28. Other events will include Mother Daughter Day, Three-Point Thursdays, Youth Hoops Day and Hail to the Orange Night.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Nancy Fahey, the Fighting Illini open the 2017-18 campaign on Nov. 10 against Fort Wayne. Held on Veteran's Day, the game will serve as a Salute to Service, as Illinois will honor veterans and those currently serving in the military. The Illini will offer free admission for all military personnel with identification.
The Illini will welcome back women's basketball alumni for their Nov. 18 contest against Bradley, also paying tribute to Illinois' 1997 Big Ten Championship team at halftime. Dec. 16 will mark Scout Night and Camper Reunion Night, and the Illini will celebrate New Year's Eve and the start of Big Ten play on Dec. 31 against Northwestern. Fans in attendance will receive a free 2018 Illini women's basketball calendar.
The Illini and the Bue Crew will host a Toy Drive, beginning with Illinois' Nov. 21 contest against Western Illinois and continuing through Illinois' Dec. 10 matchup against Detroit Mercy. Fans who donate a new, unused toy during the contest on Dec. 10 will receive $2 admission. The toys will be donated to the Toys for Tots organization.
Illinois also hold its annual Canned Food Drive, benefitting Feeding Our Kids, during Illinois' Nov. 30 matchup against Virginia Tech. Fans are encouraged to bring canned food donations to benefit the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.
January 7 will mark Youth Hoops and Kid's Club Day, and the Illini will give away fidget spinners to fans in attendance at Illinois' 1 p.m. game against Iowa.
Illinois will host the annual Hail to the Orange Night on January 17 followed by the Pack the House event on Jan. 28. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unused stuffed toy to donate on the court at halftime as Illinois will hold its third annual Teddy Bear Toss at the game to benefit Toys for Tots.
The annual Play 4Kay game will be held on Feb. 13 when Ohio State comes to town. Fans in attendance will receive pink t-shirts, and admission is just $2 for cancer warriors. Regular season play will conclude on Feb. 25 in a 2 p.m. contest against Minnesota.
The Illini will implement Three-Point Thursdays twice throughout the season, first on Thursday, Nov. 30 and again on Thursday, Dec. 7. Fans are encouraged to stick around after the game and test their three-point shooting on the court.
The full Illini squad will sign autographs on the court following four contests this season, with the first session set for Nov. 18. Illinois will also hold autograph sessions Dec. 16, Jan. 7 and Jan. 28.
Fans can also schedule their birthday party or celebration at a Fighting Illini women's basketball game this season. For just $5 per person, parties include seats at the game, a cake, concessions vouchers, pom pons, a card signed by the women's basketball team, game programs and a video board announcement.
Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign are on sale now, as well as single game reserved and general admission tickets. General admission season tickets are $30 each, while reserved season tickets are available for $75. Fans also can purchase a combined women's basketball/volleyball season ticket for $55. Reserved and general admission single game tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in person at the Illinois Athletics Ticket Office State Farm Center, online or by phone at 866-ILLINI-1. Click here to see all of Illinois' women's basketball ticket options.
Be sure to check in with the promotions schedule throughout the season and stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
