East-West Aurora game moves to NIU Convocation Center
One of Illinois' greatest boys basketball high school rivalries will play on a larger stage next month.
In the 212 previous meetings between East Aurora and West Aurora, the Class AA 2000 sectional championship at Neuqua Valley in Naperville was the lone time the schools did not face off in Aurora.
But West Aurora AD Andy Lutzenkirchen announced on Tuesday morning that the schools' Jan. 16th game will be held at Northern Illinois' Convocation Center in DeKalb.
"I think (Aurora basketball fans) are going to be pleasantly surprised," Lutzenkirchen said.
West Aurora, the host, has held its graduation ceremonies at NIU the past three years, and Lutzenkirchen said moving the game was dictated by the Blackhawks' 2,200-seat capacity.
"We hope to get up to 5,000 people at the game," Lutzenkirchen said.
West Aurora will also have a special ceremony that night to honor its 2000 Class AA state championship squad.
The sophomore preliminary will start at 6 p.m. with the varsity contest slated for 7:30.
Tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for students.