Salukis to host inaugural Compass Challenge
12/03/2018 | 3:39:00 | Women's Basketball
The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team will host the inaugural Compass Challenge beginning on Friday, Dec. 7. The two-day tournament will pit the four Illinois directional schools- Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Illinois, against one another in an annual mid-season tournament.
The first edition of the Compass Challenge will play out in the manner of a typical classic, with each team playing exactly two games. In the years to follow, a winner will be crowned via a championship game. The two-day event is reminiscent of the days of the IAIAW when programs in Illinois battled it out for an Illinois state championship before advancing to Regionals.
"We are all looking forward to the Compass Challenge," sixth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "Its an exciting opportunity to host a state championship, though it will be just a classic this year. All of us feel like we're back to old school basketball when all state schools played each other. I think its absolutely fantastic."
Fans in attendance will have a unique opportunity to watch the game courtside. Saluki Athletics has announced the addition of a "courtside courtyard" for games during the Compass Challenge.
The courtside viewing area will be across from the opposing team's bench and will provide fans with a terrific view of the action as well as an opportunity to socialize, purchase adult beverages and challenge fellow fans to select tailgating games, including bags. No special ticket is needed for the "courtside courtyard" but attendees must be 21 years old or older to partake.
The Salukis will take on Northern Illinois on Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. before tangling with Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Southern hasn't faced Northern since 2011 and will host Eastern for the first time since 2013. The full tournament schedule is below. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-SALUKIS or by visiting SIUSalukis.com.
Dec. 7 | 4:30 p.m. | Western Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois
Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | Southern Illinois vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 8 | 1 p.m. | Western Illinois vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | Southern Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois
The first edition of the Compass Challenge will play out in the manner of a typical classic, with each team playing exactly two games. In the years to follow, a winner will be crowned via a championship game. The two-day event is reminiscent of the days of the IAIAW when programs in Illinois battled it out for an Illinois state championship before advancing to Regionals.
"We are all looking forward to the Compass Challenge," sixth-year head coach Cindy Stein said. "Its an exciting opportunity to host a state championship, though it will be just a classic this year. All of us feel like we're back to old school basketball when all state schools played each other. I think its absolutely fantastic."
Fans in attendance will have a unique opportunity to watch the game courtside. Saluki Athletics has announced the addition of a "courtside courtyard" for games during the Compass Challenge.
The courtside viewing area will be across from the opposing team's bench and will provide fans with a terrific view of the action as well as an opportunity to socialize, purchase adult beverages and challenge fellow fans to select tailgating games, including bags. No special ticket is needed for the "courtside courtyard" but attendees must be 21 years old or older to partake.
The Salukis will take on Northern Illinois on Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. before tangling with Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. Southern hasn't faced Northern since 2011 and will host Eastern for the first time since 2013. The full tournament schedule is below. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-SALUKIS or by visiting SIUSalukis.com.
Dec. 7 | 4:30 p.m. | Western Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois
Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | Southern Illinois vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 8 | 1 p.m. | Western Illinois vs. Northern Illinois
Dec. 8 | 3:30 p.m. | Southern Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois
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