Gies Memorial Stadium was built in 1923 as a memorial to Illinois men and women who gave their lives for their country during World War I. Their names appear on 200 columns that support the east and west sides of the stadium.

Donations of approximately $1.7 million by more than 200,000 students, alumni and other friends of the university made the construction of Gies Memorial Stadium possible. The Athletic Association (now known as the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics) later allocated $509,805 to the project for the construction of the south stands and other stadium additions. The drive was needed to add seats for the over 30,000 fans who were turned away from games.

The stadium opened Nov. 3, 1923, when Illinois defeated Chicago, 7-0, in a Homecoming victory. The stadium was dedicated officially Oct. 18, 1924, a day that Illinois not only defeated Michigan, 39-14, for a Homecoming victory, but Harold E. “Red” Grange accounted for six touchdowns in what remains the single greatest performance in Gies Memorial Stadium history. In the first 12 minutes of that game, Grange ran for a total of 265 yards and scored four times against a Michigan team that had not lost in its last 20 games. He had his hands on the ball only six times and left the field before the end of the first quarter.

In the third quarter, Grange returned and ran 13 yards for his fifth touchdown, and in the final period he passed to Marion Leonard for his sixth score of the day. In 42 minutes of playing time, Grange gained a total of 402 yards, carried the ball 21 times and also completed six passes for 64 yards. Legendary coach Amos Alonzo Stagg called it “the most spectacular single-handed performance ever delivered in a major game.”