March 29, 2005

FINAL FOUR SENDOFF SET FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Fans invited to team sendoff Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Illinois Field

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will be hosting a sendoff for Coach Bruce Weber and the Fighting Illini men's basketball team Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Illinois baseball field. Fans are encouraged to park in the Assembly Hall quadrants. The gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the team will appear on the field following practice (between 6:30 and 7 p.m.). There is no admission charge and parking is free.

Illinois heads to St. Louis for the NCAA Final Four and will play Louisville in the National Semifinals Saturday, April 2 at 5:07 p.m. central in the Edward Jones Dome.

NCAA TITLE GAME WATCH PARTY SET (IF ILLINI WIN ON SATURDAY)
Division of Intercollegiate Athletics set to host free event at UI Assembly Hall

IF the University of Illinois men's basketball team defeats Louisville in the NCAA national semifinal Saturday night, the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Ron Guenther will host an NCAA National Championship Watch Party Monday, April 4 at the UI Assembly Hall.

If the Illini win the semifinal game on Saturday, fans will be able to watch Illinois play the North Carolina/Michigan State winner for the NCAA national championship on the new state-of-the-art Assembly Hall videoboard. There is free parking and free admission to the event. Official NCAA Final Four merchandise and concessions will be available for purchase.

"The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is delighted to provide this viewing opportunity for thousands of Illinois fans who will not be able to travel to St. Louis for the Final Four," said Guenther. "The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics is also pleased to work with our campus administration to provide a safe, family-oriented atmosphere for a large group of fans to watch the game together."

Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the CBS-TV national broadcast scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The national championship tipoff is set for approximately 8:21 p.m. DIA staff will be on hand hosting the event.

ILLINI BASKETBALL CELEBRATION SET FOR APRIL 5
Illini basketball team will be honored at Memorial Stadium

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will be hosting an Illinois basketball celebration Tuesday, April 5 at Memorial Stadium. West Stadium doors open at 5 p.m. and the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Illinois coach Bruce Weber, the coaching staff and the players will be on hand to celebrate the 2004-2005 season, along with other dignitaries, the Illinois basketball band and cheerleaders. There is no admission charge and parking is free. Parking is available in all four Assembly Hall parking quadrants, along with Lot E-14 and, weather permitting, the west side of the Stadium. All seating will be general admission and on the west side of Memorial Stadium.

Illinois heads to St. Louis for the NCAA Final Four and will play Louisville in a national semifinal Saturday, April 2 at 5:07 p.m. Central time in the Edward Jones Dome.