Bonnie Ryan
GoSycamores.com

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Indiana State men's and women's basketball teams will sponsor the fifth annual Big Blue Block Party on Friday, Oct. 16, in celebration of the start of the 2009-10 season.

The event, which is open to the public, is slated for 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Clabber Girl parking lot on the corner of 9th and Cherry streets in downtown Terre Haute. Attractions include free food, music, entertainment, a kids zone and a beer garden sponsored by the Ballyhoo Tavern. Players and coaches from both squads will be on hand to interact with fans and sign autographs, with appearances by the ISU band, cheerleaders and Sparkettes as well.

Following the block party, fans are welcomed to Hulman Center at 6:30 p.m. to watch a mini practice and scrimmage by the women's team and an open practice by the men's team.

The Sycamore women's squad opens the year with a home exhibition game with Bellarmine on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. and begins the regular season against Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 14 in Manhattan, Kan.

The Indiana State men's team's season starts up with an exhibition at Hulman Center with Indianapolis on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:05 p.m., followed by the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off with LSU on Monday, Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. in Baton Rouge, La.