Building for the Future
August 6, 2018 | Football
The Fighting Illini were on hand to watch the final steel beam put in place at the Football Performance Center
Steel Beam Signing Gallery | Day 3 Photo Gallery | Training Camp Central
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – While the team is taking steps forward on the field during training camp, the program passed a big milestone on Tuesday as the final steel beam was put in place in the Illinois Football Performance Center.
Following the third training camp practice of the fall, the Fighting Illini hopped on busses for the short drive from the Campus Recreation Fields to the Memorial Stadium practice fields. After a few words by Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman, each Illini player and coach signed the final steel beam before it was hoisted to its permanent location inside the Performance Center.
The 107,000 square foot, $79.2 million Illinois Football Performance Center is going up right next to the Irwin Indoor Practice Facility, and adjacent to Memorial Stadium. Construction broke ground in December 2017, with the project scheduled for completion prior to the start of the 2019 season. More information on the project can be found at illinoisrenaissance.com.
Quoting Lovie
"You talk about building a program, taking a big step. It's easy to see this is a big step. Where we are right now, year three, better product on the field and upgraded facilities. Things are playing out the way we envisioned it."
Day 3 Notes
» Back to the Grind: After an off day on Sunday, the Illini returned to practice Monday morning in shorts and shoulder pads. The squad put in over two hours or work on a hot, humid morning at the U of I Campus Recreation Fields.
» Official 2018 Training Camp Roster: WEB | PDF
Up Next
The Fighting Illini return to practice Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. The first 14 practices of training camp, through Saturday, Aug. 18, are free and open to the public. The full schedule can be found at Training Camp Central.
Top Tweets
The final steel beam went up today! Signed by every member of our football team. Special thanks to everyone that has played a part in this process. #ILLINI pic.twitter.com/cnoaW7EWA2
— Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) August 6, 2018
Memorable event today, thanking the hard working folks constructing our football team's new home and signing a piece of steel that will live forever in the building. Transformative project! #ILLINI pic.twitter.com/66Am2ds6KI
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) August 6, 2018
Building for the future. ??
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 6, 2018
Thank you to the men and women that are helping construct the new $79.2 million Illinois Football Performance Center.
?? Gallery » https://t.co/PPO5dG7Ca6 pic.twitter.com/X3uPm6mFRE
The final beam for the @IlliniFootball Performance Center was signed by @IlliniAD, @LovieSmith and the 2018 team before it was placed in the structure today.
— Illinois I FUND (@IlliniIFUND) August 6, 2018
Build with us, #Illini Nation and join the IFund: https://t.co/T1sk82Qo5T #WeWillWin pic.twitter.com/c9Di161wgF
VIDEO: Hear from @IlliniAD Josh Whitman and @IlliniFootball coach @LovieSmith on the importance of the Football Performance Center, which hit another construction milestone Monday. #Illini https://t.co/6WVdc133Td pic.twitter.com/TAZChgoAVW
— IlliniHQ (@IlliniHQ) August 6, 2018
Interview by @SuccessfulRicky about the final beam of the new facility being installed. #Illini pic.twitter.com/gXFaiFST8n
— Illini Recruiting (@_Illini_) August 6, 2018
Running into the week like ??#Illini ???? pic.twitter.com/V3ZQOKUZZA
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) August 6, 2018
