CHAMPAIGN, ILL – The long-anticipated unveiling of the larger-than-life statue of legendary Fighting Illini linebacker Dick Butkus is scheduled for 2 pm on Oct. 11, outside the main entrance of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center (1501 South Fourth Street, Champaign). 

"Perhaps no football program in the country can claim two more iconic players than Red Grange and Dick Butkus," Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "Thus, it is only fitting that statues of these two incredible Fighting Illini frame the west and east sides of the stadium where they played. We are so excited to unveil the Butkus statue, a beautiful piece of art that will stand forever as a testament to the player Dick was the man he remains today. We hope our fans will come help celebrate Dick's remarkable legacy and pay tribute to all that he has meant to our University and to the game of football. It will be a wonderful, memorable event."

The statue unveiling and accompanying ceremony will be open to the public, with free parking available at State Farm Center, located south of the Smith Center. Fourth Street will be closed from Kirby Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue for this event.

Guests in attendance will hear from UIUC Chancellor Robert Jones, Fighting Illini Director of Athletics Josh Whitman, Matt and Sara Joyce and Dick Butkus. Matt and Sara Joyce, both UI graduates, generously donated to DIA to create the Butkus statue.

"Sara and I absolutely love the Red Grange statue overlooking Grange Grove," Matt Joyce said.  "We are proud to have the privilege to be behind a similar monument honoring Dick Butkus, football's most intimidating defensive player. The University of Illinois and Illinois Athletics have played a huge role in both of our lives, and we are delighted to help shine a spotlight on Dick's illustrious career as a Fighting Illini."

Matt grew up on the South Side of Chicago and has been a life-long Illini and Chicago Bears fan, and especially a fan of Dick Butkus, who has his uniform numbers retired both at Illinois and by the Bears. Butkus wore No. 50 as an Illini and No. 51 during his Hall-of-Fame career with the Bears.

The Butkus statue was produced by acclaimed artist, and UI alum, George Lundeen, at his studio in Colorado. Lundeen also created the Red Grange statue that stands guard on the west side of Memorial Stadium, as well as the awards presented to each inductee into the University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.

"We began this project nearly five years ago with small models," Lundeen said. "Once the small model was finished, and with the help of Mr. Butkus, we began to make the large sculpture. The modelling of the large sculpture took about six months and the casting process about another six months.

"One aspect we had to get by, was Mr. Butkus not wanting to be the subject of a sculpture," Lundeen continued. "He didn't want to be singled out from his teammates. Fortunately, Josh Whitman was able to convince him of its value to the Illini program. We look forward to seeing this sculpture installed and hope the students and alumni appreciate the sculpture as they have appreciated what Dick Butkus has brought to the University."

An invitation-only dedication of the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center will also take place later that same afternoon.

Butkus Statue Facts:

• 12-feet tall; 1,000 pounds
• Made of bronze with a stainless steel structure sporting the piece from inside the sculpture.
• The Butkus Statue was sculpted in about six months, however the entire process (clay to patina) has taken about one year.
• Mr. Lundeen visited Dick Butkus in person for the sculpture research, along with purchasing pads, helmet and jerseys from that football era. When visiting with Butkus, Lundeen had photos of Dick Butkus playing football in the 1960s. He asked Dick what face he'd like to use to sculpt the piece. Dick said, "how 'bout this?" and made a clenched face expression. George snapped a photo and that's the face you now see on the sculpture.