MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University women's basketball team is dancing.
The Western Illinois Leathernecks women's basketball has earned a berth in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament and will face the North Carolina Tar Heels women's basketball in the first round at 4:30 p.m. (CT) Friday, March 20 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Fans traveling to Chapel Hill are invited to a pregame social at Four Corners prior to tip off.
For those unable to attend in person, the Western Illinois University Alumni Association encourages Leatherneck fans across the country to gather and cheer on WIU at official watch parties.
The Alumni Association is seeking additional watch party hosts. Fans interested in organizing a gathering or submitting an existing event can email a-association@wiu.edu to be included on the official list.
Fans are encouraged to wear purple and gold, arrive early and bring the energy as the Leathernecks take on North Carolina on the national stage.
This list will continue to be updated as additional watch parties are confirmed.
OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY LOCATIONS
ILLINOIS
Galesburg
Buffalo Wild Wings — 4:15 p.m.
2683 N. Seminary St.
Host: Bill Spilman '91
Macomb
Sports Corner — 3:30 p.m.
124 N. Randolph St.
Buffalo Wild Wings — 3:30 p.m.
1724 E. Jackson St.
City Hall — 4:30 p.m.
232 E. Jackson St.
Host: Savannah Ballard '23
Mt. Prospect
Red Barn Restaurant and Brewery — 4:00 p.m.
303 E. Kensington Rd.
Hosts: Beth Stroh Dukes '86 and Donald Harrington '04
Naperville
White Tavern — 4:00 p.m.
423 E. Ogden Ave.
Host: Kevin Froehlich '05
Peoria Heights
Big Behm's Sports Bar — 4:00 p.m.
4925 N. Galena Rd.
Host: Kelly (Rickey) Griffin '02
Rock Island
Poor Boy's Pizza & Pub — 4:00 p.m.
4121 18th Ave.
Host: President Kristi Mindrup '00
Rockford
Urban Forest Craft Brewing — 3:00 p.m.
6551 E. Riverside Blvd. #112
Host: Melissa Busker '01
Austin, TX
The 1972 Pub — 4:15 p.m.
2530 Guadalupe St.
Host: Jeff Fryer '99
Boonville, MO
Brew Brothers — 4:15 p.m.
100 Isle of Capri Blvd.
Host: Friends of Addison Brownfield
For updates and additional watch party locations, visit the WIU Alumni website.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Athletics, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
