Illinois Athletics to host Memorial Climb to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - University of Illinois Athletics will host a 9/11 Memorial Climb to commemorate 25 years since the attacks and honor the lives lost.

According to U of I Athletics, the southeast and southwest gates of Gies Memorial Stadium will open at 6:30 a.m., with the climb beginning at 7:46 a.m.

Participants will climb the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center, while video and news footage will be shown on the videoboard.

After the climb, the event will feature speakers, including Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, Chancellor Charles Isbell, Director of Athletics Josh Whitman, first responders and more.

The event will be open to the public.

It won't be the University's only event commemorating the 9/11 attacks that weekend.

Illinois Athletics shared that a giant American flag will cover the field ahead of kickoff against Duke Sept. 12. Jim Cornelison will also be on hand to perform the national anthem.

More information about the climb, including where to sign up, is available online.