Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Memorial Stadium Drive Book #2 [PAGE 7]

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today when there are thousands of students, alumni and friends of the University who are turned away from every big game. Illinois Field, beginning modestly and, like Topsy, just "growing,", has served its purposes nobly. Lithe youngsters have raced about on its cinders, have leaped across its turf and have hurled weights over its green. Skillful and speedy youngsters have batted balls and run bases and learned discipline of team work on its diamond. Sturdy youngsters have hurled their bodies, have zig-zagged with machine-like accuracy through the sinister opposing line, hugging a leather ball to their bosoms across its' gridiron. Many thrilling moments has Illinois Field seen, many acts of heroism.. It has taught thousands upon thousands of the youth of America selfdenial, courage, freedom—it has developed the Great Heart, the fighting spirit. It has seen years like 1915, where we won at once football, baseball, track and basketball championships—-years like 1914, where we won baseball, track and football championships—years like those between 1900 and 1921 where about two-thirds of the baseball championships were won by Illini. Few fields in the history of the United States can parallel the record of the victories of Illinois Field. And now Illinois Field, a battered veteran, is ready to resign. Greater multitudes than it ever dreamed of are wanting to see our teams in action. The rumbling demand of these multitudes is rising; it cannot be ignored. It is not being ignored. They shall have what they want, for it is a good thing t h a t they want. Reluctantly shall we leave Illinois Field, and with tender memories. Proudly will we march to the new Stadium— with a greater, finer outlook for the future. And the human tie, the personality, which will keep in us the glow of the past and lift us bravely into the future is " G " Huff.

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F R A N K B. (Shorty) LONG, '87 "All Universities require some big thing, the doing of which will unite students, alumni, faculty and friends — something they can feel is their own work. For Illinois, the Memorial Stadium is the thing." E D W I N B. STYLES, '12 J A M E S Q. O T T O VOGEL, '23 '' There is nothing too good P E T T I G R E W , '09 "It is a great inspiration to a varsity team to play "Of late years Illinois has for the athletic teams of in a splendid Stadium. taken her place in the Illinois that uphold her rank in athletic preslijge in fields that her It consolidates team spirit front and makes the playing achievements, and it is graduates enter and seek more intense and tri- a fitting tribute to her to conquer. The teams do umphant. For that and athletic supremacy to build the publicity that puts the Stadium alumni on the map withmany other reasons, I am a magnificent strong for the Stadium within which to hold the out an introduction." various contests." idea." C. J. M O Y N I H A N , '08 "Illini sportsmanship deserves a lasting monument, both as a tribute to its past and as an inspiration for its future. The Stadium will ensure this. The question is not 'Do I favor it?' but 'What is the most I can give?' "

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B E R T W. (Happy) ADS1T, '01 "Illinois should have a Stadium in keeping with her athletic eminence. It is important that facilities for athletic training be given, not only to those who may represent the University on her athletic teams, but to the student body at large. I most heartily approve of your plan for general athletics." J. T. (Swede) H A N L E Y , '10 "The Memorial Stadium is the biggest and grandest thing ever suggested by the alumni of our University, and no red-blooded Illini will be content to be doing anything short of his utmost for its successful realization." E. A. (Prep) W H I T E , '08 "For a greater Illinois! In its beauty, size and utility, the Stadium will typify the service which the entire institution is rendering to the State and Nation. It is entirely fitting that this edifice be erected by the men and women who do now or who hope to call Illinois 'Alma Mater'." F R E D B. C O R T I S , '13 "The Stadium will fill a long-felt need, and will also serve as a lasting memorial to the Illinois men who fell in the war. I am sure it will serve as an inspiration to all Illinois men in the years to come." L I O N G A R D I N E R , '09 "The University has given us more than we can ever repay; it is still giving us riches in memories and recollections and will continue to do so while we live. It is only right that we should be called upon to assist in building a Stadium which will add to the glory and dignity of Illinois."

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M. G. D A D A N T , '08 " We, Illini alumni, should certainly be a unit in getting behind the Stadium project not only in commemoration for our 'Fighting Illini' but that ILLINOIS may stand at the fore in furthering >ur State's and our Nation's development, physically as well as mentally." P H I L M. S P I N K , '20 A. R. (Artie) HALL, '01 the plans pro"Years in Illinois athlet- "From ics show me our great jected, it would appear Stadium, not only as a that this Stadium will be a classic. It will do a fitting memorial to our warrior dead, but as a great deal more in attractto living opportunity to re- ing all types of genius the pay, in part, our debt the University than ath-h old out-of-date to Illinois by contributing poor field tvhich it has been letic towards the well-being of display student thousands yet to our lot to students." to prospective come." D O N S. J O H N S . '17 "A Stadium assures the perpetuation of the high standards of sportsmanship for which our University has so long been credited by the athletic world. You may rest assured that when the big drive starts, I shall line tip with the rest of the toydl Illini." "RUSS" WHARTON, '22 "The finest memory in most men's lives is the four years they spent in college. The more college spirit, the finer the memory. The Stadium will make Illinois men as proud as any alumni in the world to talk of their college days."

BART M A C O M B E R , '17 "The Stadium will beautify the campus and gladden all Illinois hearts. The massive structure cannot help but signify the great appreciation of all of us for our Alma Mater."

H A R R Y CLAY C O F F E E N , '98 "Financing this Stadium should be the first step on a program of One Million Dollars to Illinois, every two years, from her sons and daughters as part payment for their free education. We dare not fail."

S C O T T W I L L I A M S , '94 "The little old school we loved so well provided for athletics on a scale adequate to the needs of the times. The magnificent University of today will do the same. Nothing short of the Stadium can meet requirements."

F R E D L. W H A M , '09 O T T O E. S E I L E R , '12 "The finest Memorial to "The Stadium to me epitthe Illini who gave their omizes the things for lives in the service of their which athletics stand at the country is something that University. It is a fit will 'carry on.' The in- and lasting memorial to fluence of a great Memo- those who gave their lives rial Stadium in producing for the welfare of the rest better citizens will not only of us in the great World be great but ever widening." War."