CHICAGO (March 20, 2026) – The UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics officially dedicated its newest athletic venue Thursday, celebrating the grand opening of the Flames Sports Performance Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony inside the Physical Education Building on campus.
 
The 5,000-square-foot facility features state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology designed to enhance strength training, speed, and agility development. Already regarded among the premier college sports performance facilities in the Midwest, the center will serve as a cornerstone for student-athlete development across all Flames programs.
 
The Flames Sports Performance Center was made possible through a generous $100,000 gift by Hooters Management Corporation co-founder Gil DiGiannantonio and his family. Members of the DiGiannantonio family joined UIC leadership, as well as current and former Flames student-athletes and staff for Thursday's celebration.

Yesterday, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony for our Physical Education Building weight room renovations. Thank you to Gil and Paulette DiGiannantonio as well as the HMC Hospitality Group for providing us with the resources to make this happen! ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/oVVimDdvNu

— UIC Flames ?? (@UICFlames) March 20, 2026

We had a great time celebrating the Physical Education Building weight room renovations yesterday! ??

Thank you to Gil and Paulette DiGiannantonio as well as the HMC Hospitality Group for your contributions!#ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/0wbltl6czl

— UIC Flames ?? (@UICFlames) March 20, 2026

 
"We're honored to help bring the Flames Sports Performance Center to life," said Gil DiGiannantonio. "Supporting the growth of UIC's sports performance programs and empowering Flames student-athletes to reach new heights is something that means a great deal to our family."
 
"This facility represents a transformational investment in the success and well-being of our student-athletes," stated UIC Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Williams. "The Flames Sports Performance Center will elevate every aspect of our programs — from training and preparation to recovery and long-term development. We are incredibly grateful to the DiGiannantonio family for their vision and generosity, which will have a lasting impact on UIC Athletics and help position us to compete at the highest level."
 
For more information on UIC athletics, visit UICFlames.com. Fans can also follow the Flames on social media through X (@UICFlames) and Instagram (@uicflames).