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12h ago

Illinois Renames Memorial Stadium to Gies Memorial Stadium After $100 Million Gift

Made in memory of his late father, the donation strengthens Illinois Athletics during the shift to direct athlete revenue sharing.

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Illinois players enter the field for a game against Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29, 2025, in Champaign. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Overview

  • The $100 million contribution is the largest in Illinois athletics history, the university announced Tuesday.
  • The football venue, which turned 100 years old in 2024, was originally dedicated to U.S. service members.
  • Larry Gies is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries and previously donated $150 million to name the university’s business school.
  • The announcement comes as schools implement the House v. NCAA settlement that allows revenue sharing with athletes, with this year’s cap reported at $20.5 million.
  • Illinois teams have recent momentum, including football’s No. 9 AP ranking after a 10-win 2024 season and sustained success in men’s and women’s basketball.