The Claim That “Memorial Stadium Remains Central” Is Not True

Richard Grodsky

Another diminishment of a tradition and monument dedicated to our local, State and National memory.

Rodney Bennett

I strongly advocate for maintaining the original name of Memorial Stadium, rather than succumbing to the renaming trends seen during the Biden administration. A historical landmark of this magnitude should never be rebranded for commercial convenience, or one family's interest regardless of the financial incentives involved.

Ron McCutchan

While Larry Gies's generosity as an alumnus is admirable, the name change obscures the original intention to remember honor those alumns who were not as fortunate.

JON MCCUTCHAN

Some things you just don't do, and this is one of them. Dedicated as a memorial to Universtiy students who perished in WW1, the stadium should not be bought and renamed, the University should know better, and should have told Gies it was not for sale.

Elizabeth Davis

Because the stadium was not built to honor Geis, but rather to honor our brave men in the military.

Supporter

So tired of this buying and slapping their name on everything by millionaires and/or corporations. Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium should never have been renamed with this affront to public education.

Larry Ebersol

Honor the spirit of the original intent of the memorial

Ashu Ratnakar

Name belongs to the veterans who died fighting in World War I

Keith Stone

Memorial Stadium is to honor our vets NOT some millionaires EGO

Karen Dymit

The University can put up a plaque visible to those entering Memorial Stadium for his generous contribution for the stadium but his name should not in any way overshadow the names of the war dead we honor since the stadium was originally built. Their sacrifice was far greater than his donation could ever be. The University can and should fix this.

Illini '66 I'm a Vietnam USMC aviator veteran with 29 men I served with posted on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Three of those were Illini. Steve Broquist, David Skibbe and Bruce Capel, their names and sacrifices engraved at Memorial Stadium. Bruce played for the Illini in their 1964 Rose Bowl win. War memorials commemorate the sacrifices made by warriors in service to their country and serve to educate future generations about the cost of war and the value of peace. Tango sends.

This incredible historied stadium is a Memorial to Alumni that gave their lives in WW1, not a memorial to Gies

I am ashamed of how the Admin of the Athletic Association was so disrespectful to the Veterans of WWI who sacrificed for us. Shame. Find some other way to recognize the Geis' money to AA. Money talks...everyone and everything else walks.

As an alum and Vietnam era veteran, I’m appalled that a memorial can be bought. Don’t really know which is worse, the greed of the University powers to accept the money, or the huge ego of Geiss. The woke already did away with our other proud tradition, Chief Illiniwek. What’s next, University of Geiss!

I am UIUC alum MSW 2000. Lifeling Illini fan. Attended games here for years. I know commercial donations fund things, but changing the name detracts from its tribute to those fallen Illini. Gies Memorial Stadium should revert to its original name Memorisl Stadium

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. Erik Henriksen-Mahomet.

what is wrong with traditions? does money buy honor?\\\

UI 1961-1963. A Memorial is a memorial. Keep it that way. I saw Dick Butkus play there.

If the stadium was built as a memorial it must stay that way. Those memorialized are still deserving of honor

I 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.