Sad day for ILLINI fan-cp
Keep The Chief.
U of I: Mascot Will No Longer Perform
By DAVID MERCER
13:29:49AP
URBANA, Ill. (AP) - The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men's home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others complained for years that the mascot, used since 1926, is demeaning. Supporters of the mascot say it honors the contributions of American Indians to Illinois.
Illinois still will be able to use the name Illini because it's short for Illinois and the school can use the term Fighting Illini, because it's considered a reference to the team's competitive spirit, school officials said. It is unclear if the school will get a new mascot.
"This is an extremely emotional day for people on both sides of the issue, but the decision announced today ends a two-decade-long struggle surrounding Chief Illiniwek on this campus," said athletic director Ron Guenther.
"Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed. However, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made."
School officials said they received a letter from the NCAA on Thursday that said the school will no longer be banned from hosting postseason events if it drops the mascot and related American Indian imagery. The NCAA's sanctions thus far have prevented Illinois from hosting postseason events in two low-profile sports.
"The Chief Illiniwek tradition inspired and thrilled members of the University of Illinois community for 80 years," board of trustees chairman Lawrence Eppley said Friday. "It was created, carried on and enjoyed by people with great respect for tradition, and we appreciate their dedication and commitment. It will be important now to ensure the accurate recounting and safekeeping of the tradition as an integral part of the history of the university."
On Friday, a Champaign County Circuit Court judge rejected two students' request for a court order banning the university from "capitulating to the NCAA by announcing the retirement of Chief Illiniwek."
U of I: Mascot Will No Longer Perform
By DAVID MERCER
13:29:49AP
URBANA, Ill. (AP) - The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men's home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others complained for years that the mascot, used since 1926, is demeaning. Supporters of the mascot say it honors the contributions of American Indians to Illinois.
Illinois still will be able to use the name Illini because it's short for Illinois and the school can use the term Fighting Illini, because it's considered a reference to the team's competitive spirit, school officials said. It is unclear if the school will get a new mascot.
"This is an extremely emotional day for people on both sides of the issue, but the decision announced today ends a two-decade-long struggle surrounding Chief Illiniwek on this campus," said athletic director Ron Guenther.
"Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed. However, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made."
School officials said they received a letter from the NCAA on Thursday that said the school will no longer be banned from hosting postseason events if it drops the mascot and related American Indian imagery. The NCAA's sanctions thus far have prevented Illinois from hosting postseason events in two low-profile sports.
"The Chief Illiniwek tradition inspired and thrilled members of the University of Illinois community for 80 years," board of trustees chairman Lawrence Eppley said Friday. "It was created, carried on and enjoyed by people with great respect for tradition, and we appreciate their dedication and commitment. It will be important now to ensure the accurate recounting and safekeeping of the tradition as an integral part of the history of the university."
On Friday, a Champaign County Circuit Court judge rejected two students' request for a court order banning the university from "capitulating to the NCAA by announcing the retirement of Chief Illiniwek."
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indians should be thankful they recognize them and give them attention. 0 -
maybe they should have kept their history proudly in place & focused on scholastic excellence instead of sports in lieu of waffling to current PC speakthink 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Chief Shaway
Keep The Chief.
U of I: Mascot Will No Longer Perform
By DAVID MERCER
13:29:49AP
URBANA, Ill. (AP) - The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot
Well if they've got some 81-year old Indian running around the football field then of course they should retire him. Give the old guy a break!!!! [:D]0 -
As an Alumi member (Ceramic Engineering - 1966) and a member of the Marching Illini who went to the Rose Bowl with Dick Butkus ... I say keep the chief! Rather than waste money doing legal work and trying to be PC, use the money wisely to establish a scholarship fund for native Americans and let the tradition live on! Win/win situation! 0 -
My wife is a U Of I grad. I went to several games with her while we were in college. The program presented by the Chief Illiniwek was always tasteful. The "Fighting Illini" takes their name from the Indians that used to inhabit the area.
More PC Crap as far as I am concerned.0
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