‘A lot of nostalgia’: Family of George Huff arrives in Champaign, shares stories ahead of re-dedication events

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Memorial Stadium re-dedication events are already getting started on the U of I campus as we get closer and closer to the weekend’s celebrations .

Illinois Athletics is celebrating 100 years of Illini Football at Memorial Stadium and with that comes unforgettable stories.

One of those comes from Susan Nolton, George Huff’s great-granddaughter. She’s back in town and will be one of the many honored at Saturday afternoon’s game versus Michigan. As she landed at Willard Airport in anticipation of all the events ahead, she felt a wave of nostalgia.

Nolton grew up in Champaign and spent a lot of time on the U of I campus while growing up before eventually enrolling as a student for her college years.

“Athletics meant a lot to him and the players meant a lot,” she said when talking about her grandfather.

Huff was part of U of I’s first football team in 1890 and worked his way up to Athletic Director in 1901.

“My grandfather’s biggest legacy was sportsmanship,” she said.

Nolton knows one of his famous sayings was, “win without boasting, lose without excuse.”

“I think that permeated Illinois Athletics, and I hope it still does,” she said.

Although he passed away before she was born, she has endless stories from her grandmother. They went to games together and sat in a box next to the university president.

“She was a loyal Illini, never missed a home football game until the year she died,” Nolon shared.

Now, she’s ready to break out her orange and blue gear once again and remember the man many have considered “the father of Illini Athletics.”

“My mother adored him and everyone that talked about him had great admiration and respect,” Nolton said.

Her family is flying in from all over the country to participate in re-dedication events that begin on Thursday night.

They won’t be the only ones honored during Saturday’s game. Families of former head football coach Robert Zuppke and star player Red Grange will on the field while the Marching Illini plays the Incomparable Three-in-One.

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