Girls volleyball: IHSA renews state finals contract with Redbird Arena

The Illinois High School Association board of directors met at its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Wednesday, where the board voted to extend the girls volleyball state final hosting contract at Illinois State University's Redbird Arena.

The hosting proposal was a joint effort between ISU, the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission.

"We enjoy a tremendous partnership with Illinois State University and the Bloomington-Normal area," said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "We have worked together for many years to run first-class events at Redbird Arena, and believe the arena renovations should only enhance the experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans."

Redbird Arena recently underwent a $6.2 million dollar renovation that includes new seating in the arena's lower bowl. Redbird will host the girls volleyball state finals for the 30th time in November. ISU hosted the state finals at Horton Fieldhouse from 1976-1980, before the event returned indefinitely to ISU in 1990.

"We are extremely excited to continue as the host for the IHSA volleyball state championships," said ISU Senior Associate Athletics Director/Internal Operations Peyton Deterding. "Illinois State University and Illinois State athletics values greatly the outstanding partnership with the IHSA, and there is no greater example than hosting championships. We take great pride in hosting the athletes and spectators and feel this continues to be an opportunity to showcase the campus, the community of Bloomington/Normal and the newly renovated Redbird Arena for years to come."

The contract extension will span five years, lasting through the 2024 state tournament. Redbird Arena has also served as the host of the girls basketball state finals since 1992. The city of Peoria also submitted a bid to host state volleyball at the Civic Center.

"We obviously enjoy a strong partnership with Peoria and the Civic Center and appreciate their interest," said Anderson. "While we enjoy hosting a number of IHSA events in Peoria, we felt like state volleyball has found a home at ISU, and thus, there was no reason to make a change."