NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State University Board of Trustees approved renaming the field at Hancock Stadium to the Jay and Lori Bergman Field. The Board approved the designation at its regular meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025, in recognition of Jay Bergman's significant financial support and his more than 30 years of service to the University while serving as a member of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors.
New logos will be affixed to the turf at Hancock Stadium to commemorate the naming and new signage will be posted outside the ticket booth on the east side of the stadium this fall during Redbird Football home games.
"My late wife Lori and I have been ISU football fans for decades," Bergman said. "We are very honored to have the field at Hancock Stadium named after us."
Bergman graduated from Illinois State in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was later appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2003, where he became the longest serving member, ending his tenure in 2017. He also served on the University's Foundation Board of Directors and was a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Bergman was inducted into the Illinois State University College of Business Hall of Fame in February 2019 and was honored in 2020 with the University's Distinguished Alumni Award. He can be seen in the stands on football Saturdays at Hancock Stadium and in CEFCU Arena supporting Redbird Basketball.
"Jay has been a fixture at Illinois State University and has been incredibly gracious with his time and talents over the years," Illinois State Director of Athletics Jeri Beggs said. "Whether it be his work as a longtime member of the Illinois State University Board of Trustees, his time on the Foundation Board of Directors or his 11 years on the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Jay has been a dedicated advocate for Illinois State University. His contributions to athletics further demonstrates Jay's commitment to a lasting impact on our athletics department and the student-athletes who will benefit from the support. We thank Jay for his continued generosity and passion for Redbird Athletics and its future."
"We are extremely appreciative of Jay and his late wife Lori's support," Illinois State Head Football Coach Brock Spack said. "They have been longtime fans of our program, and we are proud to have their names on the turf at Hancock Stadium. This gesture will help our athletic department and football program for years to come."
Hancock Stadium was dedicated in 1963 and has served as the home of Redbird Football in addition to the IHSA State Football Championships, the home of University High School Football and to several community events including the annual Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games. With a capacity nearly 13,000 fans, the facility was renovated in 2013 and features premium seating options inside the Aaron Leetch Club, including 500+ chair back club seats, a 5,500 sq. ft. indoor club accessible to club seat holders, and seven suites. Those improvements have led the facility to being one of the toughest to play in throughout the Missouri Valley Football Conference, as the Redbirds have amassed a 67-24 record at Hancock Stadium under the leadership of head coach Brock Spack and a 50-18 mark since the stadium renovations were completed.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
