CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois has been dedicated to honor students who served and died in World War I. After a $100 million donation from philanthropist and alumnus Larry Gies, the stadium was renamed Gies Memorial Stadium.
Now, a group of alumni is calling for change.
"We were shocked when we heard that someone was trying to add their name to Memorial Stadium," said army veteran and university alum Jim French.
French and a group of alumni feel the name is insensitive to fallen soldiers, so they started a petition. The new title is named after the donor's late father, Larry Gies Sr., who was a U.S. Army Veteran. The petition is gaining momentum from others who are passionate about the original name.
"Every person we've seen, a sign of distress. Their emotional pain, they feel betrayed. They think that this should never have happened. And that's the results that we're seeing. People who are just absolutely grieved," French said.
French graduated from the university at 23 years old and later became a missile battery commander in Korea. Now at 78 years old, he still feels the responsibility he felt as a captain in the military.
"The men in Memorial Stadium may lay down their lives willingly. We know that there's no greater love than anyone can show except lay down his life," he said.
Petitioners hope they can spark change, and every name makes a difference. If you are interested in signing the petition, the link is online.
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