Chambana Sun

Illinois has announced plans for the Memorial Stadium Rededication weekend, scheduled from Thursday, Oct. 17 to Saturday, Oct. 19. This event is part of a season-long celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Memorial Stadium.

The festivities will begin with a symposium titled "Ghost Stories at Memorial Stadium" on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Memorial Stadium 77 Club. The University of Illinois' department of recreation, sport, and tourism will host this event focusing on Red Grange and his impact on football and Illinois. Chris Willis, author of "Red Grange – the Galloping Ghost" (2019), will be a special guest at the symposium.

On Friday, Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. CT, exactly 100 years after Red Grange's historic performance against Michigan in the original Dedication Game, the University will hold a rededication ceremony at Grange Grove. The ceremony will include a program honoring Memorial Stadium's history and unveiling new historic features around the stadium.

Later that day, a sold-out gala themed "The Story of the Stadium" will take place inside the Colonnades Club at Memorial Stadium at 5:30 p.m. CT. The event will feature stories from some of Illinois' greatest players over the past century.

The weekend's highlight will be the Illinois vs. Michigan game on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Memorial Stadium. Special ceremonies and performances are planned for pregame and during the game, including a game-ball presentation by legendary Illinois players and a performance involving family members of key figures from Illinois' athletic history.

Red Grange's performance in the original Dedication Game on Oct. 18, 1924, remains one of college football's most iconic moments. He scored six touchdowns and amassed over 400 yards against Michigan's defense, which had allowed only 32 points in their previous 20 games.

James Crusinberry of the Chicago Tribune wrote in 1924: "Michigan never knew Red Grange, the Illinois wildcat, until today. Now Michigan knows him well."