CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois alumnus Larry Gies, who made a $100 million donation to Illinois Athletics on Tuesday, will serve as the #9 Illinois football team's honorary captain Saturday against Western Michigan. The Illini and Broncos are set to kick off at 6 p.m. CT on FS1.
Gies' commitment was the largest gift in Illinois Athletics history and represents one of the largest single gifts ever received by a college athletics program. In recognition of Gies' contribution, Illinois' Memorial Stadium, just one year removed from its 100th anniversary, is now known as Gies Memorial Stadium.
Gies made the gift in memory of his late father, Larry Gies, Sr., a United States Army veteran. Through this contribution, Gies hopes to inspire remembrance, gratitude, and continued support for our nation's men and women in uniform.
Gies, whose name also adorns the University's College of Business, is one of the most influential philanthropists in Illinois history. He is the founder and CEO of Madison Industries, one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world.
