Goodbye Windy City. Hello Hoosier hospitality.

The fifth annual men’s Big Ten Tournament will call Indianapolis its new home, after a four-year run in Chicago.

However, the 11 teams that compete in the Big Ten shouldn’t make themselves comfortable.

Scott Chipman, associate director of communications for the Big Ten, said the move this year is just the first in a series of moves between the two cities.

“The tournament is going back to Chicago next year, then back to Indiana,” Chipman said. “We’re spreading Big Ten basketball throughout the Midwest.”

Chipman said the move was not just for financial gains, but to bring basketball fans to the biggest sports cities in the Midwest.

“Chicago and Indianapolis are the biggest markets (in the Big Ten),” Chipman said. “And Indiana is the home of amateur basketball.”

Chicago, the nation’s third largest city, provides fans with all kinds of entertainment and places to shop, but Indianapolis offers something a little bit different.

“Chicago is a big city, but Indianapolis has a small-town feel,” he said. “There are a lot of outside things for fans to be a part of when they leave the tournament.”

Terry Fossum, director of events and donor programs for the Ralph Young Fund, said another advantage is that Conseco Fieldhouse is downtown, so attractions are within walking distance.

The Ralph Young Fund is the fund-raising organization for the MSU athletics department. Every year since the Big Ten Tournament was established it has held celebrations for the Spartan teams.

This year’s reception on March 7 will take place at the Omni Severin Hotel, 40 W. Jackson Place, in Indianapolis.

Fossum said she doesn’t expect the number of attendants to trail off too much because of the move.

“We do know that there are more alums in the Chicago area, but we still think we’ll get 400 to 500 people,” Fossum said. “Spartan fans are great, and they always enjoy a good party.”

She said the support for this year’s team has been different than in the past. This is a younger team and the players been through a lot, and now they’re starting to put things together at the right time, she said.

Fossum said she is excited about the move and the women’s tournament also being held in Indianapolis this weekend. It should provide the city with some great sports action, she said.

“I love Chicago, but I think Indy is a great sports city,” Fossum said. “They have gone all out to make sure that they provide great hospitality for us - and that’s what we’re looking for.”

Nursing junior Lisa Landskroener plans to make the trip to the Big Ten Tournament for the second year. But this year Landskroener will have a better seat. She’ll sit courtside for every MSU game as a Spartan cheerleader.

“I’m really excited I have the opportunity to cheer,” Landskroener said. “I’ve never been to Indianapolis before and I’m looking forward to hanging out with the team and other cheerleaders outside of the competition.”

Adam Raak, co-director of the Izzone, the men’s basketball student cheering section, said a change of scenery might be a good thing for the team.

“I’m kind of glad because we didn’t do so well last year,” the marketing senior said, referring to the Spartans’ first-round loss to Penn State.

Aside from a change of pace for the team, Raak said he isn’t worried about fans not making the trip.

“I think it will be the same,” he said. “Every bar and restaurant you go to, you’ll be talking to other Spartan fans.”