HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Ignite D3 Events and Paul Combs, President and General Manager of Ignite D3 Events, are proud to officially unveil the full game schedule and participating programs for the inaugural Windy City Shootout, set to take place on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, seeing the MSOE men's basketball competing in the event.
 
The event will mark the first NCAA Division III basketball games ever played at the Windy City Bulls facility, creating a historic milestone for Division III basketball and a major moment for the launch of the Ignite D3 Events brand.
 
As the flagship event for Ignite D3 Events, the Windy City Shootout will showcase elite NCAA Division III men's and women's basketball programs from across the country in a professional arena environment just outside Chicago. The one-day showcase marks a major milestone for Ignite D3 Events as the company launches its mission of elevating Division III athletics through premier destination tournaments and unforgettable travel experiences.
 
The event will feature four games throughout the day, including nationally respected programs representing multiple regions of the country.
 
OFFICIAL GAME SCHEDULE
 
12:00 PM – Women's Game: Colorado College (CO) vs UW–Stevens Point (WI)
2:15 PM – Men's Game: Centre College (KY) vs UW–Stevens Point (WI)
4:30 PM – Men's Game: Millikin University (IL) vs Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)
6:45 PM – Men's Game: Mary Hardin–Baylor (TX) vs Aurora University (IL)
 
All games will be played at NOW Arena as part of the NCAA Division III Men's & Women's Basketball Showcase hosted by Ignite D3 Events.
 
Programs from across the Midwest and beyond will travel to Chicagoland for the event, with multiple schools participating in overnight team experiences as part of Ignite D3 Events' broader tournament model.
 
"Division III student-athletes deserve championship-level experiences," said Paul Combs, President and General Manager of Ignite D3 Events. "The Windy City Shootout is about more than basketball — it's about creating an atmosphere and event experience that celebrates these student-stathletes, their families, and their programs on a major stage."
 
Josh Hudgens, who played for Combs at Carroll University and now leads Ignite D3 Events on behalf of Ignite Partners, emphasized the significance of launching the company's first showcase event in the Chicago market.
 
"Chicago is the perfect city to launch the Ignite D3 Events brand nationally," Hudgens said. "The NOW Arena gives these programs a true big-event feel, while the city itself creates an incredible travel destination for teams and fans. We're building events that combine high-level competition with memorable experiences for everyone involved."
 
The Windy City Shootout is one of multiple events already announced by Ignite D3 Events, alongside the D3 Orlando Classic presented by Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, scheduled for December 2026 in Winter Park, Florida. Ignite D3 Events plans to continue expanding its portfolio of destination events across Division III athletics in the coming years.
 
For more information on the Windy City Shootout and future Ignite D3 Events tournaments, visit: ignited3events.com
 
Tickets and additional event information will be announced at a later date.