Opened in August 2019, the 107,650 square foot, $79.2 million facility is the new home for the Fighting Illini football program, including expanded strength and conditioning and sports medicine space, coaches’ offices, position meeting rooms, player development areas, locker rooms, and other areas for
recruiting and prospect hosting.
The H.D. Smith Foundation, led by Dale and Chris Smith, donated $20 million to the University of Illinois Foundation, with $15 million dedicated to the performance center. In recognition of the gift, the
building will forever be named the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Center.
Driving the project’s need was to update Illinois’ outdated football facilities. Today’s program bears little resemblance to that which existed 30 years ago, when the previous football operations complex was constructed. The new, world-class Smith Football Center demonstrates an institutional commitment to building, supporting, and sustaining a winning football program.
Cost
Opened
August 2019
Key Features
Impactful Gifts
Allegretti Family, Kai and Dianne Anderson, Bill and Shari Castonzo, John Coyne and Family, John and Bonnie Dauer, Dixon Family, Rich Erickson, Ron and Paula Filler, Mark and Bonnie Goldenberg, Greg Heckman, Gary Hein, Herbison Family, Hogan & Hogan, Matt and Sara Joyce, Stu and Nancy Levenick, Corey Liuget, Steve and Betsy Mills, Bob and Diane Noelke, Tony Pashos, Wayne and Diane Paulson, Dave and Sara Peterson, James Rabinowitz, John Santogrossi and Jane Romweber Santogrossi, Bret and Meghan Scheuplein, Tom and Julie Scott, Henry Dale and Betty Smith Family, Sykes Family, Chuck and Laurie Vermillion, Josh and Hope Whitman, John and Deanna Wright, Johnny Wright
