annual Illini Marching Band Festival, hosted by the Marching Illini and usually the largest high school marching band competition in Illinois. Since 1999, it has hosted the IHSA football state finals. In 2002, the stadium also hosted the NFL's Chicago Bears while Soldier Field was being renovated. The Bears' founder and former Illini Football player George Halas had his team's colors mimic his Alma Mater's school colors. Since the marathon's creation in 2009, Memorial Stadium has served as the finish line for the Illinois Marathon, which is held the fourth weekend each April. Gallery See also List of NCAA Division I FBS football stadiums References External links Memorial Stadium history/timeline University of Illinois Memorial Stadium view from above College football venues Illinois Fighting Illini football venues American football venues in Illinois Buildings and structures in Champaign, Illinois Buildings and structures of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chicago Bears stadiums Defunct athletics (track and field) venues in the United States Defunct National Football League venues Sports venues in Champaign–Urbana, Illinois Tourist attractions in Champaign County, Illinois Projects by Holabird & Root Sports venues completed in 1923 1923 establishments in Illinois