Oct. 10, 2005
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Already the home of the one of the nation’s premier women’s college basketball programs and top fan bases, Notre Dame’s Joyce Center also will be the site of several new and exciting promotions for the 2005-06 season. Under the direction of first-year coordinator of basketball operations Stephanie Menio, the Irish women’s basketball program has developed a wide-ranging promotional schedule that features giveaways and post-game autograph sessions with Notre Dame players at every home game, as well as several entertaining “theme nights” that will appeal to fans of all ages.
A complete rundown of Notre Dame women’s basketball promotions, along with a listing of all giveaways for the upcoming season, is available on the official Notre Dame athletics web site by clicking here or by visiting the Notre Dame promotions web site at www.notredamepromotions.com.
“Having ranked among the top 20 in the nation in attendance the past five years, we know Notre Dame women’s basketball fans are the best in the country and have been a major contributor to our success on the court,” Menio said. “It’s important we have the promotions and events to reward that spirit. Not a game will go by this season that we won’t have something unique and memorable for fans to enjoy and take part in.”
One of the signature women’s basketball promotional events this year is the first-ever “Irish Superstar,” presented in conjunction with South Bend radio station U93 (92.9 FM). This singing and dancing competition will get underway with an open call on Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. (EST) at the Joyce Center, as contestants battle to be one of six finalists in the singing category (no age requirement) or one of 20 chosen to be a member of the Notre Dame women’s basketball Kids’ Dance Team (grades 5-8 only). Singing finalists then will compete live at the first two regular-season Irish home games (Nov. 18 vs. Michigan; Nov. 27 vs. USC) with the winner announced at the Nov. 29 game vs. Iona and receiving a prize package that includes a high-quality studio-produced demo tape that will be sent to record companies nationwide and received airplay throughout Michiana on U93.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who has dreams of making it big in the entertainment industry to get their start,” Menio said. “The next hot music act in the country could be right here in Michiana and we’re looking forward to seeing some of the area’s up-and-coming performers take their first step in that direction.”
Another marquee event will take place on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. (EST), when Notre Dame welcomes Tennessee to the Joyce Center for the first time since 1994. Presented by WB25 (WMWB-TV), the game features the “The Largest New Year’s Celebration in Michiana,” with numerous surprises in store throughout the game. It also will be an ideal way for children to welcome the New Year in a fun, safe atmosphere before the stroke of midnight.
“With the amount of interest we’ve already seen with this game, tickets will no doubt go fast and we’re expecting our first women’s basketball sellout since 2001,” Menio said. “This is one Irish women’s basketball game you’re definitely not going to want to miss.”
Among the other highlights this season are: three Family Days (four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas for $25), four separate days for younger fans (Kids’ New Year on Dec. 31 vs. Tennessee; Clancy Kids’ Club Day on Jan. 7 vs. Seton Hall; Kidahoopla on Feb. 4 vs. Providence; Father/Daughter Night on Feb. 7 vs. Villanova), a Renaissance Festival celebration (Jan. 17 vs. DePaul) and the blast-from-the-past Oldies But Goodies Night (Jan. 10 vs. Marquette).
Season tickets for Notre Dame women’s basketball, including several lower arena locations, now are on sale through the Irish athletics ticket office, with four plans to choose from in 2005-06 — adults ($58 each), Notre Dame faculty/staff ($46 each), Fan Packs ($162 for a block of four tickets) and Notre Dame faculty/staff Fan Packs ($130 for a block of four tickets). In addition, persons may purchase additional tickets for their Fan Packs beyond the minimum allotment of four at a cost of $29 per ticket.
Single-game tickets for Notre Dame women’s basketball will go on sale Oct. 24 at a cost of $8 for adults and $5 for youths (18-and-under) and seniors (55-and-older), while Notre Dame/Saint Mary’s/Holy Cross students are admitted free with their student ID.
Fans wishing to buy season ticket packages or individual game tickets have four methods of purchase:
• In Person — visit the Notre Dame Athletics Ticket Office, located at Gate 1 of the Joyce Center (second floor), weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (EST/CDT).
• By Phone — call the Notre Dame Athletics Ticket Office at (574) 631-7356 and charge by phone, using Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
• By Mail — fans who received season ticket renewal applications in the mail, or obtained ticket brochures, may return them via U.S. Mail, sending their payments to: Notre Dame Athletics Ticket Office, Joyce Center Second Floor, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
• Internet — order on-line through the official Notre Dame athletics web site by clicking here and charging to your Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
Groups of 20-or-more can purchase tickets for Notre Dame women’s basketball games at half price. Contact Stephanie Menio at (574) 631-3589 for more information.
Notre Dame posted a 27-6 record in 2004-05, matching the third-highest win total in school history, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in its 10th consecutive NCAA appearance (and 12th overall). The Irish will have three starters and eight monogram winners returning from that club, led by their senior co-captains — All-America point guard Megan Duffy (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne HS) and forward Courtney LaVere (Ventura, Calif./Buena HS). In addition, Notre Dame welcomes a pair of talented freshmen to the fold — guard Lindsay Schrader (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett HS) and forward Chandrica Smith (Stone Mountain, Ga./Oak Hill Academy (Va.)) — who comprise the nation’s 16th-ranked recruiting class, according to Blue Star Index, marking the ninth consecutive year the Irish have earned a top-20 recruiting ranking from that outlet.
— ND —