Family of former U of I basketball player makes $1M donation to athletic department

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The family of a former University of Illinois basketball player has made a major donation to the U of I athletic department.

The family of George Shapland is donating $1 million in support of U of I Athletics.

In recognition of the donation and the family's impact, State Farm Center's east circle will be named "George Shapland Family Drive."

"For more than a century, the Shapland family name has been highly influential in shaping the Champaign-Urbana communities, and the University of Illinois, into what they are today," said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. "George and his family are directly connected to two of the greatest Fighting Illini basketball teams in our program's history. It was his passion for making our region a better place to live, though, that will long be his greatest legacy. We are pleased to recognize 'George Shapland Family Drive' at State Farm Center as our way of celebrating George's fantastic contributions to our community."

George Shapland was a long-time businessman and supporter of the Champaign-Urbana and University communities after graduating from the U of I in 1953.

He was a member of the Fighting Illini freshmen basketball team in 1949-50 and member of the varsity squad in 1950-51 when the Illini won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA Final Four.

His father, Earl, was a football season-ticket holder since Gies Memorial Stadium opened in 1923, and George held Illinois basketball tickets at State Farm Center since the building opened in 1963. George passed away in November 2023 at the age of 92.

George's son, Mark, was a member of the famed Flyin' Illini squad in 1989 when that team also advanced to the NCAA Final Four. Mark and his siblings are making the gift in honor of their late father.

"On behalf of Charlie, Laura and I - along with many nephews, nieces and grandkids- it is our honor to make this donation on behalf of my father's foundation," Mark Shapland said. "Dad was born and raised in Champaign along with his four brothers - all Illini. In fact, 34 Shapland family members are proud Illini graduates. This donation is fitting as it gives support for Illini athletics which he loved for his 92 years - and helps give back to the community which was so important and generous to him."

"The association with State Farm Center is meaningful," Shapland continued. "Our father watched it be built, was a season ticket holder from day one, and was a member of the Illini basketball team, along with several other family members. He also had a close relationship with Lou and Mary Henson, and he would be pleased to be associated with the former Assembly Hall, where Lou won so many games and built the program that is here and thriving today."

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