CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A multi-million-dollar donation is bringing change to one historic University of Illinois landmark over the course of several years. Larry Gies– a U of I alumnus — is donating $100 million to the athletic department, and now the football stadium has a new name — Gies Memorial Stadium.
Larry Gies said it’s in honor of his father Larry Gies senior, who is a U.S. army veteran. Gies and the athletic department said that adding the name still keeps its purpose of honoring those who served, but fans are split on whether or not they agree.
Memorial Stadium gets new name after $100 million donation from Larry Gies
“There’s a pretty emotional, visceral reaction when I saw that,” said Illini fan Steve Houghton.
Houghton said he’s been going to games at the university since he was a kid, and he’s not happy about the stadium name changing to Gies Memorial Stadium.
“Memorial Stadium is a different, different thing,” Houghton said. “It is literally a memorial to the soldiers that gave their lives.”
Houghton said he greatly appreciates the donation and what it will do for the university, but just wishes Memorial Stadium kept its original name.
“I think the best solution is the Gies family athletic complex because that gets it all,” Houghton said.
Houghton said that if they go through with the change, he won’t give another penny to the university. But not all fans share that sentiment.
Thomas Scaggs said he’s been an Illini fan ever since he can remember and has very fond memories. And he’s all in for the addition.
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“It’s wonderful that they’re keeping Memorial Stadium on,” Scaggs said. “But, to add the Gies name, for $100 million donation to help our university and help athletics, I’m all in. I don’t think it should be controversial.”
One student WCIA spoke with said it’s a good gesture.
“I think it’s still a good idea because he’s honoring someone close to him in like a nice, impactful way to have his name on there, too. So, I think that’s a good idea,” said sophomore Partisha Boyd.
Athletic Director Josh Whitman said the money will go to stadium updates, and they’ve already brought on an architectural firm to start developing plans. This is the second building named after the Gies family; in 2017 they gave the school a $150 million gift. The university renamed its business school as the Gies College of Business.
“It’s an exciting time to be an Illini fan, truly,” Scraggs said.
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