CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The University of Illinois Board of Trustees unanimously approved the renaming of Memorial Stadium Thursday.

The University of Illinois System said in a press release that the board's action comes after alumnus and philanthropist Larry Gies made a $100 million donation to Illinois Athletics Sept. 9.

Following the approval, Memorial Stadium will now be known as Gies Memorial Stadium.

University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen shared that Gies' gift is an "inspiration to us all."

" This gift will help keep Fighting Illini athletics strong for years to come and Gies Memorial Stadium will continue to stand in honor of the service and sacrifices of our country’s veterans," Killeen said in a statement via the release.

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