Larry Gies Makes Transformational $100 Million Gift to Illinois Athletics

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#51      
Indy Illini Fan
illini0440 said:
Josh ain’t leaving for another AD job.
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Can 10000000000% confirm … No other University that even interests him …

If he’s going to be an AD … It’s going to be here or no where … That’s from the man himself to me …

Can also say with some confidence that Josh wants to see this through with Bret, Brad, Shauna and his other coaches … He feels this is the best crew of coaches he had and it’s built for sustained success …

Especially on the Football side … This is all Josh has ever wanted … Get this football program to an elite level … He’s done it with Bret and he’s very content to keep pushing forward …
 
#53      
Indy Illini Fan
This one is worthy of a …

boom smile GIF
 
#55      
From the cheap seats
I know many people are involved in something like this, but what Josh Whitman has done for Illini athletics strikes me as incredible, from the hiring of great coaches to retaining those coaches to this...as well as the many little things no one hears about. The ability of Mr. Whitman to navigate the ever-changing, difficult landscape of intercollegiate athletics has now positioned the Illini to be a major force. Over the years, I've often heard ADs and coaches refer to Illinois as a sleeping giant. Mr. Whitman seems to have provided a cure for the narcolepsy. He has earned the trust of coaches to the extent that they understand the value of having an AD that has their backs. I hope that the higher-ups at the U of I continue to provide the same sort of working environment for Mr. Whitman.
 
#57      
Ghost77
Love the money, absolutely hate the name, but at least we aren't Value City Stadium.
 
#58      
altgeld88
blackdog said:
I would much rather put the name of an Alumni who donated to the program in front of the existing name rather than a corporate partnership like State Farm Center.
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Strongly agree. And he had the presence of mind to honor his dad, maintaining the stadium's link to military service and sacrifice. IMO we should be grateful for that.

Reality is: the qualities that drive the creation of an individual fortune that enables dropping $100mm on our athletic dept. are usually associated with a desire to leave one's name on large things.

Larry Gies can read the room, and he did.
 
#59      
fuddrules
Gary J said:
Build a volleyball stadium with it!!
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I'd say if he'd like a new volleyball stadium named after him, he could have done that without issue. Instead the name is on Memorial Stadium.

Wouldn't be shocked if in the future, he donates more for Memorial Stadium improvement. One can hope.
 
#63      
hooraybeer
the fact that we went this long without renaming our football stadium speaks more to the success (or lack thereof) of the football team for the past 20 years. this is the standard at big time college programs
 
#64      
and 69 others
RabidDawgClassic said:
I don’t think you can call it a “gift” when you receive something significant in return, such as your name on the stadium. That’s known as a “transaction.”
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Of course it’s a gift. When I donate to my high school or college, they list my name in the newsletter. Does that make my contribution not a gift?
 
#71      
Calvin
IllinoisIntegrity said:
I cringe at billionaires who buy naming rights on stadiums, hospitals and museums....yet I am still very happy..... Thank you, Mr. Gies!
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💯 Can agree with both those sentiments. We'll get to enjoy this historic donation in a program that has already made great use of their resources. Lotta people will benefit from it over many years, so the naming is a small thing IMHO.
 
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