The Missouri Valley Conference will host the 2013 Women’s Basketball Championship in St. Charles, Missouri, at Family Arena on March 14-17. Redbird fans who want to make the trip and support the Redbirds can reserve a room at the team’s hotel at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel.

To celebrate the first game of the tournament, Illinois State Athletics and Alumni Relations will host its annual Redbird Rally at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet.

The event will take place at the Lucerne Lounge inside the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet three hours prior to the Redbirds’ first game of the tournament and will last for an hour and a half. There is no cost to attend the event and food may be purchased at the Lucerne Lounge. Two complimentary drink tickets per hotel room will be provided to fans staying at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet.

The Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet, the official home for Illinois State during the tournament, will also be the site of team send-offs and welcome-backs. Fans are encouraged to meet in the meet in the Lucerne Lounge two and a half hours prior to each Redbird Game, with the exception of the first due to the Redbird Rally, and meet in the lobby approximately 30 minutes after the game is completed to welcome back the team.

The remaining team send-offs and welcome back events will be contingent on the team’s advancement in the tournament. Illinois State has a limited number of discounted rooms available with a nightly group rate of $99. The block of rooms is available from Wednesday through Saturday nights. Fans can make a reservation by calling (314) 878-1500.

All-session tickets to the 2013 Valley Tournament are on sale now for $55 through the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office by calling (309) 438-8000 or by visiting GoRedbirds.com. Fans can purchase single game tickets online at www.metrotix.com. For more information, visit www.mvcstcharles.com.