The Claim That “Memorial Stadium Remains Central” Is Not True
146 Comments
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Anonymous
9 months ago
It would be great if this did anything. But it won’t because there’s too much money involved. Might as well ask him to bring the chief back, which is why I have not watched a football or basketball game from Illinois since they removed him.
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Kim Kensell
9 months ago
Don't mess with the veterans!
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Jay M Watts
9 months ago
Dumb, offensive move by the U of I - I know i”it’s all about the money “ in this day and age, but this is OFFENSIVE! Why does everyone need name-recognition?
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Anonymous
9 months ago
If it really was a philanthropic donation you wouldn’t slap your name on it, you could donate for the good of the school and not to get your name on another aspect of the school, was the business school not enough?
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Carl Gooch
9 months ago
Renaming Memorial Stadium in memory of one person, diminishes the respectful remembrance of all those who died while serving their country in war.
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Christopher Joel Burnham
9 months ago
Memorial stadium was named for the veterans who sacrificed their lives in World War 1 and for me stands as a remembrance of all veterans who have served our country. I feel that taking 200mil (or whatever the donation was) and putting someones name on it is disrespecting the very nature of what memorial stadium stands for. Honestly, if I was rich and had the money, I'd bring money to top Gies's donation and have his name removed. But I also know in this day in age, money talks and nobody in power positions actually cares about values and history if the price is high enough!
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Steven Herriott
9 months ago
MEMORIAL STADIUM , should not be sold just because you have money !!! It's a MEMORIAL for those who gave their lives to protect freedom !!!! Just because you have money doesn't give you the right to rename a MEMORIAL !!!
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Billy Vermillion
9 months ago
The new name sounds like it only honors one person.
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Brad Weber
9 months ago
I am disgusted by the diminishment of Memorial Stadium being corporatized! The meaning of reverence and remembrance for the ultimate sacrifice paid by our honored dead should never be diminished or trivialized for the sake of a big check. You should be better than that!!!!!!!
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Rick Thomas
9 months ago
Those that make the ultimate sacrifice shouldn’t have to worry about being outbid.
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Thomas fudacz
9 months ago
The contribution was amazing, and THANK YOU. That being said, it's nothing but a ego trip to want his name included. And how many times do we need to see his name? Removing the "Familly" on the sidelines, was also appalling.
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Elizabeth Ryan
9 months ago
I fully support this petition. I agree that Memorial Stadium is not for sale and it’s frustrating when the university made a decision indicating otherwise. We are very grateful for Mr. Gies gift, however one should give because they want to support and make things better. Do it because you truly want to make things better for others… not for your own personal promotion and recognition.
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Sean Meehan
9 months ago
It’s an ego thing for Gies. He already has the business school named after him. Memorial Stadium was named to honor the students who died during WW1. Now it’s just to feed some guys ego.
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Todd M Ellis
9 months ago
I agree ! Thanks for donation but you shouldn’t expect your name on something this large! Hell even Dike Eddleman’s name isn’t on anything and he dominating football here !
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Nicole Sabuco
9 months ago
Loyalty to university should not only be recognized in the rich. Gies has enough named after him already. Regardless, renaming Memorial Stadium is so incredibly disrespectful. His father served, which is admirable. He did not sacrifice his life as those on the pillars did. If Gies is going to give money, perhaps he should consider altruism. Congrats, we all know you’re rich. Most of us do not care at all.
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Mary Patricia Gassmann
9 months ago
Very well written petition. I am a 3rd generation Illini alum, and I am certain that the 1st and 2nd generations in my family would be outraged. Memorial Stadium is sacred and should be off limits to any donation no matter the size. This is a disgraceful decision. The fact that this was a "compromise" with Mr. Gies tells me that he wanted to completely remove the "Memorial Stadium" name. I will do what I can to get the word out on this petition.
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Anonymous
9 months ago
Bring back the Cief
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Theresa Obrien
9 months ago
I agree the name should be for all the soldiers that died during the war
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Jay Johnston
9 months ago
It was named to honor the members of the University of Illinois students/alumni who died in WW1 and NOT Gies.
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Eric Varner
9 months ago
As I mentioned to Loren Tate and Brian Barnhart on the air several weeks ago…as part of Gies’ donation, rather than putting his name on it, instead promise Gies that it will ALWAYS remain as “Memorial Staduim”, forever eliminating naming rights. I feel that would be much more meaningful to Gies, veterans, alumni, fans, etc.
It would be great if this did anything. But it won’t because there’s too much money involved. Might as well ask him to bring the chief back, which is why I have not watched a football or basketball game from Illinois since they removed him.
Don't mess with the veterans!
Dumb, offensive move by the U of I - I know i”it’s all about the money “ in this day and age, but this is OFFENSIVE! Why does everyone need name-recognition?
If it really was a philanthropic donation you wouldn’t slap your name on it, you could donate for the good of the school and not to get your name on another aspect of the school, was the business school not enough?
Renaming Memorial Stadium in memory of one person, diminishes the respectful remembrance of all those who died while serving their country in war.
Memorial stadium was named for the veterans who sacrificed their lives in World War 1 and for me stands as a remembrance of all veterans who have served our country. I feel that taking 200mil (or whatever the donation was) and putting someones name on it is disrespecting the very nature of what memorial stadium stands for. Honestly, if I was rich and had the money, I'd bring money to top Gies's donation and have his name removed. But I also know in this day in age, money talks and nobody in power positions actually cares about values and history if the price is high enough!
MEMORIAL STADIUM , should not be sold just because you have money !!! It's a MEMORIAL for those who gave their lives to protect freedom !!!! Just because you have money doesn't give you the right to rename a MEMORIAL !!!
The new name sounds like it only honors one person.
I am disgusted by the diminishment of Memorial Stadium being corporatized! The meaning of reverence and remembrance for the ultimate sacrifice paid by our honored dead should never be diminished or trivialized for the sake of a big check. You should be better than that!!!!!!!
Those that make the ultimate sacrifice shouldn’t have to worry about being outbid.
The contribution was amazing, and THANK YOU. That being said, it's nothing but a ego trip to want his name included. And how many times do we need to see his name? Removing the "Familly" on the sidelines, was also appalling.
I fully support this petition. I agree that Memorial Stadium is not for sale and it’s frustrating when the university made a decision indicating otherwise. We are very grateful for Mr. Gies gift, however one should give because they want to support and make things better. Do it because you truly want to make things better for others… not for your own personal promotion and recognition.
It’s an ego thing for Gies. He already has the business school named after him. Memorial Stadium was named to honor the students who died during WW1. Now it’s just to feed some guys ego.
I agree ! Thanks for donation but you shouldn’t expect your name on something this large! Hell even Dike Eddleman’s name isn’t on anything and he dominating football here !
Loyalty to university should not only be recognized in the rich. Gies has enough named after him already. Regardless, renaming Memorial Stadium is so incredibly disrespectful. His father served, which is admirable. He did not sacrifice his life as those on the pillars did. If Gies is going to give money, perhaps he should consider altruism. Congrats, we all know you’re rich. Most of us do not care at all.
Very well written petition. I am a 3rd generation Illini alum, and I am certain that the 1st and 2nd generations in my family would be outraged. Memorial Stadium is sacred and should be off limits to any donation no matter the size. This is a disgraceful decision. The fact that this was a "compromise" with Mr. Gies tells me that he wanted to completely remove the "Memorial Stadium" name. I will do what I can to get the word out on this petition.
Bring back the Cief
I agree the name should be for all the soldiers that died during the war
It was named to honor the members of the University of Illinois students/alumni who died in WW1 and NOT Gies.
As I mentioned to Loren Tate and Brian Barnhart on the air several weeks ago…as part of Gies’ donation, rather than putting his name on it, instead promise Gies that it will ALWAYS remain as “Memorial Staduim”, forever eliminating naming rights. I feel that would be much more meaningful to Gies, veterans, alumni, fans, etc.