ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

ABOUT ILLINOIS STATE

Founded in 1857 as a teacher's college, Illinois State University has evolved into a comprehensive public institution serving 21,994 students with 16 varsity athletic programs competing in the Missouri Valley Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. Located in Normal, Illinois, roughly 130 miles south of Chicago, the Redbirds field competitive teams across traditional sports including football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball alongside Olympic sports like women's lacrosse, swimming and diving, and cross country.

Illinois State athletics balance Football Championship Subdivision football prominence with broad-based excellence across gender-balanced offerings. The men's basketball program competes within a conference known for mid-major intensity, while the women's soccer and volleyball teams represent strong competitive traditions within the Valley. With nearly 22,000 students supporting athletic endeavors, Illinois State operates one of the larger D1-FCS athletic departments, maintaining competitive rosters across both revenue sports and non-revenue programs.

The Redbirds utilize multiple facilities throughout Normal to host their 16 programs, with football anchoring the athletic calendar alongside basketball's prominent role in the conference's competitive hierarchy. GoRedbirds.com serves as the central hub for ticket information, schedules, and roster details across all varsity offerings.