CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A generous multi-million-dollar contribution is set to transform a historic University of Illinois landmark over the coming years. Alumnus Larry Gies is donating $100 million to the athletic department, leading to the renaming of the football stadium as Gies Memorial Stadium.
Larry Gies explained that the renaming honors his father, Larry Gies Sr., a U.S. Army veteran. Both Gies and the athletic department believe that while the new name continues to honor military service, fans have mixed feelings about the change.
“There’s a pretty emotional, visceral reaction when I saw that,” said Illini fan Steve Houghton.
Houghton, a long-time attendee of the games since his youth, expressed dissatisfaction with the stadium’s new name, 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.
“It’s commendable they retained Memorial Stadium,” said Scaggs. “Incorporating the Gies name, in exchange for a $100 million donation to support our university and athletics, is something I fully support. I don’t see it as controversial at all.”
One student WCIA spoke with said it’s a good gesture.
“I believe it’s meaningful because he’s honoring someone important to him in a significant, lasting way,” noted sophomore Partisha Boyd. “Having his name there is a good idea.”
Athletic Director Josh Whitman stated that the donation will finance stadium improvements, and an architectural firm has already been engaged to design the upgrades. This marks the second facility named after the Gies family; in 2017, they donated $150 million to the university, leading to the renaming of its business school to the Gies College of Business.
“It’s an exciting time to be an Illini fan, truly,” Scraggs said.
