Rev. Jesse Jackson Helped Open Up Curtis Granderson Stadium

The late civil rights leader attended the 2014 ceremony to christen the new baseball facility at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Feb. 18, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The late Reverend Jesse Jackson was on hand in April 2014 to help open Curtis Granderson Stadium at the University of Illinois-Chicago. The stadium, the largest alumni gift in UIC history, was donated by former UIC baseball player and MLB outfielder Curtis Granderson to provide a state-of-the-art facility for the school's baseball team as well as local youth baseball organizations.

Why it matters

Reverend Jesse Jackson's presence at the stadium opening ceremony highlighted the importance of community investment and development, especially in providing resources and opportunities for youth. The stadium represents Granderson's commitment to giving back to his alma mater and local community, aligning with Jackson's lifelong work of empowering underserved populations.

The details

The new Curtis Granderson Stadium will host more than 38 little league organizations annually, providing a safe and first-class experience for young baseball players in the area. Granderson, who played for the UIC Flames before his MLB career, wanted to ensure the facility would benefit the local community beyond just the college baseball team.

  • The stadium opening ceremony took place on April 17, 2014.
  • Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away on February 17, 2026 at the age of 84.

The players

Reverend Jesse Jackson

A giant of the civil rights movement who broke down barriers, inspired generations, and kept hope alive.

Curtis Granderson

A former UIC baseball player who went on to have a successful MLB career with the New York Mets. He donated the funds to build the new stadium at his alma mater.

UIC Flames

The baseball team of the University of Illinois-Chicago, who will play their home games at the new Curtis Granderson Stadium.

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What they’re saying

“When given the opportunity to give back and help those that have helped me, this was one of the first ways we thought about doing it. We had done a few things in previous years and this won't be the last. We just want to continue to help out the next student-athlete that comes through UIC and also help spread to the community that UIC is here.”

— Curtis Granderson

“I'm not a criminal law person, but I understand that if you have things to do, things that are positive that you can look forward to, you and everyone else in here, young, old, male, female are going to try to do everything possible so that you can continue to do those positive things and that includes staying out of trouble.”

— Curtis Granderson

What’s next

The new stadium will continue to host UIC's baseball team as well as provide a venue for local youth baseball leagues to use.

The takeaway

Reverend Jesse Jackson's presence at the opening of Curtis Granderson Stadium underscores the importance of community investment and empowerment, especially for underserved youth. Granderson's generous gift to his alma mater demonstrates the positive impact that athletes can have when they give back to their local communities.