Illinois Receives Landmark $100 Million Donation from Alumnus Larry Gies, Stadium Renamed
A groundbreaking donation from alumnus Larry Gies leads to the renaming of Illinois' football stadium, marking a historic moment for the university's athletics.
University of Illinois alumnus and businessman Larry Gies has made a historic donation of $100 million to the Illinois athletic department. This significant contribution will result in the renaming of the Fighting Illini’s football stadium in his family’s honor. Gies’ donation marks the largest gift in the history of Illinois athletics and is among the most substantial ever given to a college athletic department.
This donation comes shortly after Kansas received a groundbreaking $300 million gift for its own stadium project and athletic programs. The funds will be used to honor Gies’ late father, Larry Gies Sr., who served in the U.S. Army. Going forward, Memorial Stadium will be known as Gies Memorial Stadium, continuing to honor veterans like Gies’ father.
“Sports is how most people first experience the University of Illinois – it’s the front door of the amazing house we are building,” Gies stated. “I fully support [Athletic Director] Josh [Whitman’s] mission and the culture he has built at Illinois Athletics. Illini sports moments bring our Orange & Blue community closer together, and I look forward to the memories we create together in the coming years.”
Gies founded Madison Industries, one of the largest privately held companies globally, and previously donated $150 million in 2017, prompting the university to rename its business school to the Gies College of Business. Athletic Director Josh Whitman expressed gratitude for Gies’ crucial gift, stating it would benefit generations of student-athletes and elevate the program further.
As the Illinois athletic department and others nationwide enter an era of revenue-sharing, the donation could not come at a more critical time. With the Fighting Illini football and basketball programs on the rise, Illinois looks positioned to contend at high levels. Bret Bielema’s football program recently achieved one of its historical 10-win seasons and is currently ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, while the men’s basketball program has recently become the winningest in the Big Ten over the past six years.
