As of today, The Memorial Stadium petition drive has received forty times as many signatures as the seven public supporters for the Athletic Department. The Illini Nation has spoken with a powerful, unified voice, demonstrating an overwhelming consensus to keep the name of Memorial Stadium sacred. The MSS online petition site says that “Signing this petition will help ensure that the name Memorial Stadium remains intact and unaltered, preserving its historical and emotional significance for generations to come.

The MSS petition has doubled seven times and is now 301 signatures; received online, and by phone. Moreover, 113 signers have left their comments. Typical are these which are on our website,

E. H. says.

Placing a family name on the stadium simply because of a financial contribution sickens me.

R.G. writes

No person, no matter how wealthy or generous, should be allowed to usurp the honor of those who died in defense of their country.

B. R. states

“Memorial” was named in honor of self-less sacrifice. The new name honors selfish conceit: no-one believes the lies about honoring ALL veterans with the name change.

MSS extends its profound thanks to every one of you who had the courage to sign our petition. We commend Phillip Matteson and his group of twenty-eight people from Savoy for being the first group to sign our petition. Please remember the MSS does not accept donations and we do not have anyone's email. You might as well know we will be announcing here the ten prize winners drawn at random from our list of names as of Thanksgiving. Our winners will be given a choice of prizes, each one around $10 in value.You may be asking, "Where does MSS get all its money?” Well. Gwynne and I are lifelong members of the Alumni Association, and we have paid off our student loans. OK, yes, now we have been married for 56 years. One more thing, among the many, that the athletic department doesn't have a clue about.

We, the people of Illinois, take immense pride in Memorial Stadium, a sacred space dedicated to honoring the memory of the fallen Illini who gave their lives for our country. The name "Memorial Stadium" is not just a label; it is a tribute, a recognition of brave sacrifices, and a testament to our history and values. This is why it is deeply concerning and personal to us to preserve its original name without the addition of any commercialization or other names that would detract from its profound meaning.

Memorial Stadium stands as a solemn reminder of patriotism and courage, representing the ultimate sacrifice made by so many. It is a symbol of respect, honor, and gratitude to those who served and gave their lives. Changing or adding to its name would diminish the reverence we wish to uphold for those who made the greatest sacrifice.

In this fast-paced world, it's vital that we protect our monuments of remembrance as they connect us with our past and remind us, continuously, of the values we hold dear as a community. Altering the name of the stadium could not only lead to forgetting the significance of its original purpose, but it might also alienate the community who feel a deep connection with what this stadium represents.

We urge the decision-makers responsible for Memorial Stadium to understand the sensitive nature of this request and uphold the intentions with which it was initially named. Let it remain a beacon of remembrance dedicated only to the brave Illini who sacrificed everything for our freedom.

Signing this petition will help ensure that the name Memorial Stadium remains intact and unaltered, preserving its historical and emotional significance for generations to come. Please join us in this important effort to honor and respect the memory of our heroes.