Memorial Stadium Must Be Restored to Its Original Name

The Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau is currently reviewing our complaint that the University of Illinois unilaterally changed the legally protected name of Memorial Stadium — a World War I war memorial funded by 21,000 donors. This change compromised the integrity of the memorial name.” We are asking the University to restore the original and historically intended name: Memorial Stadium.

Memorial Stadium was dedicated in 1924 as a living war memorial to honor the 189 University of Illinois students who died in World War I. More than 21,000 donors contributed to its construction with the clear understanding that the stadium’s name would permanently honor those fallen students. The name “Memorial Stadium” is not a marketing label — it is a war memorial protected by donor intent and by Illinois charitable trust law.

In 2025, the University unilaterally changed this historic name. This change disregards the original purpose of the memorial, the expectations of the donors who funded it, and the solemn meaning the name has carried for a century.

We believe the University must honor the original dedication and restore the stadium’s rightful name: Memorial Stadium.

If you agree, please add your name below — and then continue to the comments section to share your thoughts.If you agree, please add your name below — and then continue to the comments section to share your thoughts.

Your voice matters. Every signature strengthens the call to protect the legacy of Memorial Stadium and the men it was built to honor.

Erik Henriksen United States March 26, 2026

Shame on the Gies family for requesting this name change and more shame on the U of I for changing the name. Give the money back and restore the proper name. I grew up three blocks away and hold a MS in Journalism 1998. I am also an Avery Brundage Scholar.

• lester rebman United States Mar 25, 2026what is wrong with traditions? does money buy honor?\\\
• Roy Chostner United States Mar 23, 2026UI 1961-1963. A Memorial is a memorial. Keep it that way. I saw Dick Butkus play there.

• Anonymous United States Mar 22, 2026If the stadium was built as a memorial it must stay that way. Those memorialized are still deserving of honor
• Edward Maher United States Mar 22, 2026I may be a Badger but the Illini need to be honored without crass materialism diminishing their sacrifice. Shame on the Trustees who supported this for even thinking about it.
• Joseph Brown United States Mar 22, 2026As a Veteran to put a corporate logo on a memorial to our American heroes is wrong. It was built as a memorial, it is a memorial and it always should remain a memorial.
• Jimmy Vandiver United States Mar 22, 2026 Memorial Stadium is the only name that this shrine should ever be known as........