STEVENS COLUMN: Has Illini Athletics Found Its Billionaire Partner in Larry Gies?

The $100 million gift to University of Illinois athletics from Larry Gies announced Tuesday should not be overlooked. However, the bigger picture of having Gies in the mix could a game-changer.

By Matt Stevens - IlliniGuys Football Writer/Analyst

September 10, 2025

(Cover photo courtesy University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — I need to ask Larry Gies, Josh Whitman and everybody else involved in Gies’ historic nine-figure donation to University of Illinois athletics for forgiveness. Because the absolute last thing I want to do is downplay or minimize the singular importance of a $100 million gift.

However, Whitman . . .

 

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