CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) —  Memorial Stadium was dedicated on Oct. 18, 1924 during a game between Illinois and Michigan in front of a crowd of 67,000. The Illini beat the Wolverines 39-14.
Statue of Illinois legend Red Grange outside of Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois on October 18, 2024.
To celebrate that momentous game, the stadium was rededicated exactly 100 years later.
On that day in 1924, Red Grange, the Galloping Ghost, ran for 265 yards and four touchdowns in just the first 12 minutes of the game. He later added a fifth touchdown and passed for a sixth. It began a rich tradition of Illinois football at Memorial Stadium.
The original cost of Memorial Stadium was $1.7 million, about $30 million in today’s dollars. The state did not fund the stadium and the university did not contribute. Instead, the money was donated by students, alumni and local residents.
At the 100 year mark Illinois will play Michigan once again at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m.
Click here to learn more about game day activities.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
