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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Money is being raised to keep a tradition alive at the University of Illinois.
The USS Illinois bell has been ringing in victories for generations of Illini fans, but it’s in need of some TLC.
The university has had the bell and its trailer for about four decades. The bell itself is more than 80 years old.
It’s rung at football games for every touchdown, field goal or point scored. The Naval ROTC is working to make sure that doesn’t stop anytime soon.
“There’s just rich military history that’s part of the founding of the university and its land grant roots,” U of I Naval ROTC Executive Officer John Thompson said. “It’s something that fans and alumni and players can see down in the south end zone at every game that we ring loud and proud to celebrate all the points scored by our Fighting Illini.”
The money will replace the trailer’s wood and remove rust. It’ll also pay for a lifting mechanism and extra protection for when the bell is on the road.
Thompson said they are just a few hundred away from their $6000 goal. You can donate here.