Victoria Adams Director of Recruiting Strategy | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Victoria Adams Director of Recruiting Strategy | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Memorial Stadium, located at the University of Illinois, was constructed in 1923 as a tribute to the men and women from Illinois who lost their lives during World War I. The architecture firm Holabird & Roche, now known as Holabird & Root, designed the stadium. It is dedicated to 189 students and alumni of the university who perished in the war, with their names inscribed on 200 limestone columns that support both sides of the stadium.
The official dedication of Memorial Stadium took place on October 18, 1924, coinciding with a homecoming football game against the University of Michigan. In 2002, the dedication was expanded to include those who died in World War II and other conflicts since 1918. Their names are engraved on limestone tablets at the entrances to the east and west colonnades alongside those from World War I.
On October 18, 2024, a rededication ceremony was held before a special anniversary game marking Memorial Stadium's centennial. During this event, the #22-ranked Fighting Illini team wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the 1920s and defeated #24-ranked Michigan with a score of 21-7.
The list below contains all names engraved on these commemorative columns:
Truman O. Aarvig
Alvin J. Adams
Charles P. Anderson
Michael L. Angarola
Alan N. Ash
John W. Bailey
Harold J. Barnes
Lowell W. Bartlett
Bohuslav Bartos
Frank A. Benitz
John S. Bennehoff
Merrill M. Benson
Edward H. Berry
Arthur L. Beyerlein
Benjamin H. Bloebaum
Irwin J. Bluestein
Vinson R. Boardman
Henry H. Boger
Arthur L. Bonner
Marcus H. Branham
George R. Brannon
William E. Brotherton
Bayard Brown
Waldo R...
(The full list continues with additional names.)
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