CEFCU Arena

{{Infobox venue

| name = CEFCU Arena

| image = Image:Redbird Arena, Illinois State University.jpg

| image_caption =

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|zoom=15|type=point}}

| nickname =

| location = 232 West College Avenue
Normal, IL 61761

| coordinates = {{coord|40|30|38.18|N|88|59|56.44|W|display=inline,title}}

| publictransit = {{Bus icon}} Connect Transit

| broke_ground = May 8, 1986{{cite news |title=So Long Horton...Hello Redbird Arena|first=Susan|last=Marquardt|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/72692479/|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington–Normal|date=November 19, 1988|access-date=February 21, 2015|page=50}}

| built =

| opened = January 11, 1989{{cite news |title=Illinois State a Winner in Arena Debut|first=Brian|last=Hanley|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36E2DCCB89896&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|date=January 12, 1989|access-date=February 13, 2012}}

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = Illinois State University

| operator = Illinois State University

| former_names = Redbird Arena

| surface = Hardwood

| construction_cost = $17.4 million
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|17400000|1989}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})

| architect = CRS Sirrine Inc.{{cite web |title=CEFCU Arena|url=http://en.structurae.de/structures/data/index.cfm?id=s0000712|publisher=Structurae|access-date=February 21, 2015}}

| structural engineer = Geiger Engineers

| general_contractor = C. Iber & Sons Inc.

| seating_capacity = 10,200

| website = {{URL|https://goredbirds.com/facilities/cefcu-arena-home-of-the-redbirds/46|CEFCU Arena}}

| tenants = Illinois State Redbirds (NCAA)
Men's basketball (1989–present)
Women's basketball (1989–present)
Women's volleyball (1989–present)

}}

CEFCU Arena, formerly known as Redbird Arena, is a 10,200-seat multi-purpose arena located in Normal, Illinois, on the campus of Illinois State University. Built in 1989, the building is notable for its use of a Teflon-coated roof that gives off a "glow" during night events. Three Illinois State Redbirds athletic teams use the facility as their home court: men's basketball, women's basketball, and women's volleyball.{{Cite web|url=http://goredbirds.com/schedule.aspx?path=wvball|title = 2021 Volleyball Schedule}}

The arena was renamed CEFCU Arena after the school and CEFCU agreed to a 10-year naming rights deal, starting with the 2023-24 academic year.{{Cite web |last=randy.reinhardt@lee.net |first=Randy Reinhardt |title=Naming rights finalized for Illinois State's CEFCU Arena |url=https://pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/naming-rights-finalized-for-illinois-states-cefcu-arena/article_ee03ae88-5c63-11ed-aadc-8f59f2125e68.html |access-date=2022-12-19 |website=pantagraph.com |language=en}}

Sports

Illinois State is one of just 10 college volleyball programs to draw more than 250,000 fans in the last decade.{{cite web |title=Redbird Arena|url=http://goredbirds.com/sports/2014/5/12/Facilty_redbird_arena.aspx?id=114|publisher=Illinois State University Department of Athletics|date=May 12, 2014|access-date=February 21, 2015}}

Students who enjoy men's basketball and sit in the student section often paint their faces red and wear red T-shirts and become part of "Red Alert", the official student spirit group of Illinois State athletics.

Amenities

CEFCU Arena boasts new scoreboards installed during the 2006-2007 basketball season. The center-hung scoreboard has four-sided HD video boards. They were initiated at the Bradley game when the court was named after ISU great Doug Collins.{{cite news |title=ISU Falls to Bradley|first=Jim|last=Benson|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/isu-falls-to-bradley/article_7a1681f1-a5b7-5901-9f09-f4d39fb39d18.html|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington–Normal|date=February 4, 2007|access-date=February 21, 2015}}{{cite news |title=Students Get Real–World Experience at ISU Games|first=Jim|last=Benson|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/students-get-real-world-experience-at-isu-games/article_d0a13394-6b3b-598d-acbf-3bb46b1b9d6a.html|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington–Normal|date=February 21, 2007|access-date=February 21, 2015}} For the 2011-2012 basketball season an HD video board between opposing benches courtside was installed. It was funded and named after sponsor Frontier Communications Company, that also provided new black leather chairs for players and coaches.

Miscellaneous

CEFCU Arena has hosted a variety of Illinois High School Association events. It has been the home of the girls' volleyball tournament since 1990 and the girls' basketball tournament since 1992. It has also hosted the dual team portion of the state wrestling tournament and in 2006 hosted the inaugural state competitive cheerleading meet.{{cite news |title=Good Cheer Name of Game at Redbird|first=Randy|last=Sharer|url=http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/good-cheer-name-of-game-at-redbird/article_8027317a-64f5-5f07-8f5f-5e54e70514b0.html|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington–Normal|date=March 10, 2006|access-date=February 21, 2015}}