History of the Redbirds

The Illinois State Redbirds have been a force to be reckoned with in collegiate sports since their inception in 1857. They are one of the original NCAA Division I teams and boast an impressive history of success both on and off the field. Over the years, they have won numerous conference championships, including 15 Missouri Valley Conference titles and three Big Ten Conference Championships. Additionally, they've made four appearances in bowl games and five trips to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 round.

Off-the-field accolades include producing some of college sports' most legendary athletes, such as Hall Of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who became an NFL MVP for two consecutive seasons (1999 & 2000). Other notable alumni include NBA All-Star Doug Collins, who was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers back in 1973; seven-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps; former Major League Baseball pitcher Mark Prior; current Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II; plus many more!

Illinois State has also earned its fair share of academic honors over its storied history with multiple Rhodes Scholarships awarded each year since 1965, along with dozens more National Merit Scholarships being presented annually throughout that same period too! The university is consistently ranked among America's top universities for student satisfaction due to its commitment to providing quality education while still allowing students plenty of opportunities for extracurricular activities like athletics or other clubs/organizations available at ISU campus locations across the central IL region (Normal/Bloomington).

No matter what your sport preference may be - football, basketball, or any other athletic endeavor - you can rest assured knowing that when it comes down to supporting our beloved Redbird Nation, we'll always put forth our best effort, whether it's cheering them from home during game days or attending live events whenever possible! So go ahead and show your colors proudly today & join us all in celebrating this great institution’s past successes while looking forward even brighter future ahead here at ISU Athletics Department!!