U of I Trustees Okay Groce Raise, Arena Renovation Budget

University of Illinois trustees are backing the school's men's basketball team by approving a budget increase in the State Farm Center renovation.

The Board Thursday in Chicago signed off on a $4.5 million increase to pay for the upgrade on the arena. The panel also okayed a $100,000 raise and one-year contract extension for men's coach John Groce. His contract now runs through the 2018-19 season.