Football
8/29/2022 1:14:00 PM
Mike Williams
Story Links
NORMAL, Ill. – Redbird Row, a brand-new fan experience, has been announced in anticipation of the upcoming Redbird Football season. Redbird Row will be located in Lot G73, directly east of Hancock Stadium.
Redbird Row at Hancock Stadium will be for all fans prior to every ISU football home game this fall, as a new high-energy tailgating area. Free and open to the public, Redbird Row will include live music at every game, a video wall showing college football games from across the country, beer garden and food for purchase. Each week will also include the Reggie’s Kid Zone, yard games and a refillable water bottle station from the Office of Sustainability called Reggie’s Watering Hole.
Fans will be able to welcome the Redbird Football Team for the Bird Walk, beginning 2.5 hours prior to kick-off. This season, the team will gather and make their way through the F62 parking lot (Turner lot) on their way to Redbird Row, led by Head Coach Brock Spack, Reggie, ISU cheerleaders and the Big Red Marching Machine. The team will continue through Redbird Row on their way to the Kaufman Football Building to begin their pre-game warm-ups.
For fans looking to create a premium tailgate experience in front of Hancock Stadium, Redbird Row will feature eight premium tailgate spaces to be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis. Redbird Row provides a turn-key solution for fans on game days with a 20′ x 20′ premium space, one (1) 20′ x 10′ tent, two (2) 6′ tables, and two (2) high top round tables. Rental of these premium spaces also comes with two (2) parking passes in a lot near your tailgate. Redbird Row will be closed to vehicular traffic south of the Hancock Stadium marquee to create this fanfest area just off Main Street. Additional tailgating gear, food and beverage will need to be brought in with you from your parking location. Packages can be upgraded with the ability to rent additional tables, chairs, and cooler with ice. Redbird Row spaces are designed to let fans have the best tailgate spots around the stadium with none of the work involved with setting up and tearing down.
Redbird Row tailgate packages are suggested for groups of 40 tailgaters. Pricing for the premium tailgate set up for Redbird games versus Valparaiso (9/10) and Eastern Illinois (9/17) are $400 each ($10pp), Family Weekend versus Southern Illinois (10/1) and Homecoming versus South Dakota (10/15) are $500 each ($12.50pp) with games versus Youngstown State (11/5) and Western Illinois (11/19) at $300 each ($7.50pp). Group ticket pricing for all Redbird Football games is available.
The Big Red Marching Machine, Redline Express Dance Team, ISU cheerleaders and Reggie will get fans fired up with a show 45 minutes prior to kick-off at the south end of Redbird Row in front of the President’s Tailgate. Redbird gear will be available for purchase in Redbird Row as well.
“Redbird Row is the most collaborative project our campus will be focusing on this football season,” Director of Athletics Kyle Brennan said. “We’re thrilled to be bringing a high-energy fan experience with our new team walk, the Bird Walk, entertainment and turnkey solution for our fans who want to tailgate right at the front door of the stadium to create a college football atmosphere on gamedays. We want people traveling down Main Street in Normal this year to know it is a Redbird game day. This is something we’ve envisioned for months and can’t wait to help generate excitement and create enthusiasm amongst our fans, our student-athletes, and coaches this fall.”
Game Day Timeline
5 hours before kickoff – Parking lots open/Redbird Row opens
4 hours before kickoff – Reggie’s Kid Zone, yard games, beer garden, food and merchandise vendors open
3 hours before kickoff – Live entertainment begins
2.5 hours before kickoff – Bird Walk led by Head Coach Brock Spack
1.5 hours before kickoff – Aaron Leetch Club open
1 hour before kickoff – Hancock Stadium gates open
45 minutes before kickoff – Big Red Marching Machine performance in Redbird Row
Access to the Bird Walk, live music, and more makes Redbird Row the first of its kind tailgate experience for Illinois State Football. If you are interested in purchasing a Redbird Row tailgate experience, please contact Dillon Horter in the Redbird Ticket Sales office at (309) 438-7231.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.