For Youngstown State fans wanting to experience Motor City Madness in person, YSU Penguin of the Year Ed Reese is sponsoring a fan bus to Detroit for the YSU men's basketball team's semifinal game in the 2017 Little Caesars Horizon League Championship.
The Penguins are in the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament for the first time in program history following a dramatic 81-80 win over Oakland on Saturday night. Their semifinal contest will be at 7 p.m. on Monday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
The fan bus will arrive at the back of Beeghly Center at 12:30 p.m. on Monday and will leave at 1 p.m. Reese's donation will cover the transportation cost, and fans will be responsible to purchase their own lodging, food and game tickets. Rooms are reserved at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance for $158.12 per room. Fans on the trip will stay one night in Detroit regardless of Monday's outcome. If YSU wins and advances to play in the Horizon League Championship on Tuesday, the bus will return to Youngstown after the game. If YSU should lose in Monday's semifinal, the bus will depart for campus at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
A separate bus for YSU students is being organized through the University's Division of Student Experience.
Reservations for the fan bus can be made by calling Elaine Jacobs at (330) 716-2196. Fans should have their credit card ready for the hotel reservation. Olympia Entertainment is offering special $10 group tickets for YSU fans traveling on the bus that can be purchased when fans arrive at the Joe Louis Arena box office on Monday. Fans need to specify that they are part of the YSU fan bus group to receive the discount. Advance tickets at full price can be purchased at motorcitymadness.horizonleague.com.
The Penguin Club is also sponsoring a watch party in the Stambaugh Stadium Loge Complex for Monday's game. The cost wil be $20 per person, and food and beverages will be provided. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. To reserve a spot or seek more information, contact John Tomsich at (330) 941-3801 or jdtomsich@ysu.edu.
Reese was honored as the 2017 Penguin of the Year this past Tuesday at the YSU Penguin Club Scholarship/Ring Banquet for his continued generosity, support and loyalty to YSU Athletics and the Youngstown area.
