Absolutely not. Funnel majority of that money into Football and Basketball and lets go win a Natty in the next 10 years. Now's not the time to waste money on non-revenue sports while we're at the current position we're in in both.
Larry Gies Makes Transformational $100 Million Gift to Illinois Athletics
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Absolutely not. Funnel majority of that money into Football and Basketball and lets go win a Natty in the next 10 years. Now's not the time to waste money on non-revenue sports while we're at the current position we're in in both.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
Since we're basking in the afterglow of demolishing Duke... at the football game last Saturday I didn't hear any Blue Devil partisans lamenting James Buchanan Duke's bequest of part of his fortune (he invented the cigarette rolling machine and tobacco marketing) that enabled him to rename Trinity University after his father a century ago (coincidentally, the same year when Memorial Stadium opened.)
Seriously: let's focus on the fact that our beautiful, dignified, one-of-a-kind stadium is sufficiently hallowed ground that Larry Gies tied the name modification to his dad, a veteran.
Seriously: let's focus on the fact that our beautiful, dignified, one-of-a-kind stadium is sufficiently hallowed ground that Larry Gies tied the name modification to his dad, a veteran.
Another huge step into what continues to be shaping into a Golden Era for Illinois Athletics. This is solid affirmation that things are truly in the best hands with JW at the helm, and the outstanding staff he has assembled to lead our programs.
Investments such as this simply don't happen without a belief in leadership and direction. I've never felt better about these elements at Illinois than I do right now. If only I had $100m to do so, I'd match it!
Investments such as this simply don't happen without a belief in leadership and direction. I've never felt better about these elements at Illinois than I do right now. If only I had $100m to do so, I'd match it!
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
You’re right. Let’s give the money back and give up on competitive athletics.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Hot take here but adding some differentiation to "Memorial Stadium" - which, sorry, is essentially the "Wildcats" of football stadium names - is an objectively good thing.
The 100m price tag doesn’t hurt either.
Additionally, very much on board with the fact that his father was an army vet—does not diminish from the intent of the stadiums original namesake.
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
I went to the Madison industries website and watched a couple videos Larry made of visiting his portfolio companies. He seems like an energetic, positive person giving off a PBS travel documentary narration vibe. He could very well be different from how he portrayed on the videos, but he's engaging at the least.
I won't doxx myself here, but I can confirm that while how he is outside work may be one thing, but this guy is definitely an absolute psycho when it comes to his business. He's a self-made billionaire, you have to be kinda built different (think like the Michael Jordan of the business world) to achieve that level of success. Not passing value judgment on him one way or another on it.
This perspective overlooks the true scope of Mr. Geis's contribution. If the goal were simply to acquire naming rights, that could have been accomplished for a fraction of the cost, likely in the $20-$25 million range. Instead, his intent is to make a transformative investment that will create a lasting impact on the university, its students, and the future of the state. It is an act of extraordinary generosity from a visionary individual dedicated to building a legacy that will benefit generations to come. We should be extremely thankful.
altgeld88
- Arlington, Virginia
James Buchanan Duke, Andrew Carnegie & Andrew Mellon (two narcissists on that one), John Harvard, Elihu Yale, and Ezra Cornell, just to name a few off the top of my head, hang their heads in shame for allowing ego to supplant humble anonymity in their endowment of several of the finest institutions of learning on earth.
Only John Rockefeller, who was unusually fervent in his Presbyterian piety, refused to allow his name to be attached to his creation (the Univ of Chicago.)
We're social, status-seeking beings, which stimulates a drive in certain remarkable individuals to sacrifice a great deal in the pursuit of productivity, fortune, and fame.
I'm for facilitating a system in which as many Larry Gieses as possible create, flourish and enable me, a guy with a slightly different utility curve concerning how I spend my time, to enjoy the fruits of their prodigious, arduous labors.
I didn't major in business at UIUC but when I strolled past the Gies College last month while passing through town I thought to myself: that's a major upgrade on Comm West, in facilities and I'm sure in faculty, research, and reputation (for a place that already had a stellar one.)
I'm glad that Larry is one of our tribe.
Only John Rockefeller, who was unusually fervent in his Presbyterian piety, refused to allow his name to be attached to his creation (the Univ of Chicago.)
We're social, status-seeking beings, which stimulates a drive in certain remarkable individuals to sacrifice a great deal in the pursuit of productivity, fortune, and fame.
I'm for facilitating a system in which as many Larry Gieses as possible create, flourish and enable me, a guy with a slightly different utility curve concerning how I spend my time, to enjoy the fruits of their prodigious, arduous labors.
I didn't major in business at UIUC but when I strolled past the Gies College last month while passing through town I thought to myself: that's a major upgrade on Comm West, in facilities and I'm sure in faculty, research, and reputation (for a place that already had a stellar one.)
I'm glad that Larry is one of our tribe.
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Is the $100 million earmarked to any particular purposes among the athletic department or do Whitman & Co. have discretion?
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I'm curious and sure we'll hear more, but I would almost guarantee there are some guidelines or parameters that have been discussed prior to giving, and some terms around the gift. Whatever those terms or guardrails are, this is a massive day for the AD and Illini sports.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
I believe there’s a press conference in 20 minutes covering this.
We have our new mascot!
I couldn't resist. In all seriousness, this is a wonderful time to be an Illini....
I couldn't resist. In all seriousness, this is a wonderful time to be an Illini....
This will definitely go down as a donation.
Gies is his last name; if they named it Madison Industries Memorial Stadium, then it would be an advertisement (like what happened with “Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium” in Indiana.
I will defend Gies, be careful assigning motives to people’s actions. What if he donated the $100 mil without bringing up a name change, and Josh Whitman suggested it as a way of saying thank you? It would be rude to say no. This is the first of its kind!
Gies is his last name; if they named it Madison Industries Memorial Stadium, then it would be an advertisement (like what happened with “Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium” in Indiana.
I will defend Gies, be careful assigning motives to people’s actions. What if he donated the $100 mil without bringing up a name change, and Josh Whitman suggested it as a way of saying thank you? It would be rude to say no. This is the first of its kind!
He does look a little like Rick Steves
Dang that's a bummer. I was hoping for D1 Hockey, especially now that more and more NHL prospects are going that route due to eligibility rule changes.
This pleases me
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