CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The University of Illinois Athletics department received a significant $100 million donation to create a lasting impact on present and future Illini student-athletes.
Illinois Athletics said in a press release Tuesday that alumnus Larry Gies made the donation to the Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA), which is one of the largest gifts ever received by a college athletics program.
The department said that in recognition of Gies' gift, Memorial Stadium will now be known as Gies Memorial Stadium.
Gies made the gift to preserve the legacy of his late father, Larry Gies Sr., a United States Army veteran.
The release added that the Gies family previously made a $150 million gift to the university, which then renamed its business school to the Gies College of Business.
The Fighting Illini have gained national prominence across various sports in recent years, particularly in football, and men's and women's basketball. Illinois football entered the top 10 of AP's Top 25 rankings for the first time since 2001, following a win over Duke Saturday.
Gies' gift to the university will need to be approved by the Board of Trustees at its Sept. 18 meeting.
During the Gies presser Tuesday afternoon, Illinois Athletic Director Josh Whitman said the gift is pledged over the next several years and will be used to support the football program, with a focus on upgrading Memorial Stadium while preserving its history.
Whitman added that the money is not restricted to just the stadium and football program, but that is where most of the donation will go. Right now, Gies' gift will not go towards NIL or scholarship money, but instead, will be used for various building improvements.
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