Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Memorial Stadium Drive Book #2 [PAGE 20]

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I know of no greater miracle in all human experience than the miracle of growth. I have watched with never-ceasing amazement the development of my children and with similar amazement the development of— may I call it mine own?—university. There is a stage in all higher growth where youth takes the reins and shapes its own future. A wise father encourages and applauds. I feel great joy and the satisfaction of doing the wise thing in offering my heartiest support and approval of the Stadium project. "I cannot separate the growth in athletics at our alma mater from growth in service to state and country. When we were small, our athletics were small. Today we are great and growing greater, and our athletics are moving at an equal tempo. " I t is a good thing in a society to admire sportsmanship, courage, speed, skill, and self-denial. Athletics teach these things. I firmly believe t h a t a great soul can live better in a strong body than in a weak one. Any project which will give greater health and vigor to all of our students, which will set a higher standard of achievement for our athletics, which will bring a reverent and lofty memory of the heoric dead to future generations and which will imbue it all with the beauty of beautiful architecture, is a great project and one which every alumnus should support/'

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B U R T A. I N G W E R SON, '19 "I think that the Illinois Stadium will rejuvenate alumni interest as nothing has ever done before; and it is a good thing for every alumnus to stay interested in his alma mater." W. W. (Red) G U N K E L , '16 "Our hearts are with Illinois, and the Stadium will not only make us proud as well as loyal, but will give us seats that will enable us to enjoy the games." H. J. P O P P E R F U S S , '10 "The undergraduates have shown an amazing spirit by contributing $700,000. I know the alumni will at least equal this great performance." ' H. A. W H I T S O N , '18 "The greatest thrill in an ordinary life is attending the first Homecoming football game. Many renew the thrill annually. The new Stadium will solve the problem of accommodating the 'Old Timers'." "Nothing has come along in a long time that has pleased me so -much as the idea of a Memorial Stadium. It will add to the dignity and prestige of the University and of its alumni."

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K E N N E T H (Tug) W I L S O N , '20 "I think the finest movement in America is the Stadium movement and it makes me proud to think that Illinois will have the greatest Stadium of all."

JOHNNY MERRIMAN '16 "It is only natural that Illinois should take the lead in building a Stadium. Hundreds of Springfield people would go to the games if they could be sure of good seats."

R. W A L T E R M I L L S , '99 G E O R G E BUCHEIT,'20 "When I recall the little, "I envy the Illinois undersquare, poorly banked, graduate of three years weedy track on which we from today the splendid used to run in the 90's, my facilities he will enjoy for sentiments are all in favor health and recreation, but of better things for the boys I am glad that I am an who are trying to clip off alumnus and may boost the Stadium for the benefit the fifths today." of future generations."

J. F . (Heavy) T W I S T , '11 "If Illinois doesn't get a Stadium soon, she will fall back in the Conference, for teams like Ohio and Chicago would rather play to big crowds than to limited crowds."

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75,000 people? More than 100,000 will drive down t w o years from now when the Illinois good roads program is effected. Study this map. It s h o w s how, w h e n t h e roads are finished, a population of 5,000,000 will be within five hours drive of the Illinois stadium.