The Big Ten Conference’s first volleyball tournament is coming to Fishers, and organizers have planned much more than matches.
The inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament will be played Nov. 20-25 at Fishers Event Center, home of Major League Volleyball’s Indy Ignite. The top 15 teams in the regular-season standings will qualify, and it will be the first time the conference’s programs have played together in one venue.
The bracket will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 17. So far, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Washington and Wisconsin have clinched spots.
The tournament opens with three first-round matches and four second-round matches, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals. The championship match is set for Wednesday, Nov. 25. The schedule includes one off day.
A limited number of single-session tickets go on sale to the public Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at FishersEventCenter.com.
Free fan village downtown
Fans without tickets can still be part of the action at the Big Ten Fan Village. It will be free and open daily at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 1 Municipal Drive. Every tournament match will be shown there. The village will also have merchandise, photo spots, grass volleyball courts, crafts, food trucks and bonfires.
Each day has a theme:
- Friday, Nov. 20 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.): Opening Celebration Day, with a concert by Toy Factory
- Saturday, Nov. 21 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.): Family Day, with Indy Ignite appearances and youth activities
- Sunday, Nov. 22 (10 a.m. to 10 p.m.): Girls in Sports and Leadership Day
- Monday, Nov. 23 (about 6 to 9 p.m.): Explore Hamilton County and the Major League Volleyball Draft, hosted by the Indy Ignite
- Tuesday, Nov. 24 (4 to 10 p.m.): Semifinals Watch Party
- Wednesday, Nov. 25 (5 to 10 p.m.): Championship Watch Party
Blood drive, volunteers needed
The fan village will also hold donation hours for the We Give Blood Big Ten Blood Drive Challenge. Big Ten schools compete in the challenge for bragging rights and a $1 million grant for student or community health. Hours are:
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20, 21 (tentative), 22 and 25
- 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 23
- 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 24
Residents can also donate before or during tournament week at the Fishers Blood Donation Center.
Organizers need volunteers for fan village shifts on all six days. Roles include greeters, Kids’ Zone support, photo stations, information tables, trivia, outdoor volleyball courts and wellness activities. Most shifts last about two hours, with daytime and evening, indoor and outdoor options.
Local kids get in on the action
Starting Nov. 16, Hamilton East Public Library will offer young fans a Big Ten scavenger hunt with prizes. Kids can also make letters at a station to cheer on their favorite teams.
The tournament has already reached into Fishers classrooms. Since Oct. 28, Big Ten School Visits have reached about 5,000 students:
- Reading visits at 13 elementary schools
- Volleyball instruction at three intermediate schools
- Morning pep rallies at four junior high schools
Each student gets a Big Ten drawstring bag and pencil. The city of Fishers and the Indy Ignite, including mascot Pepper and the Firestarters, are helping with the visits, which run through Nov. 20.
A conference built for crowds
The Big Ten has led Division I volleyball in attendance every season since 2007. Current conference schools have won 22 NCAA Division I championships combined, including 12 of the last 20. Eight of the nine most-watched college volleyball matches ever have featured Big Ten teams.
The Indianapolis area has hosted several Big Ten championships this year. Big Ten football’s championship games will be played Saturday, Dec. 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium.