U. Of Illinois Bars Indian Symbol

The University of Illinois will drop its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men’s basketball home game of the season on Wednesday, officials said.

The move makes the school eligible to host postseason NCAA championship events, but it angered many Illini fans who say the chief honors American Indians.

The NCAA in 2005 deemed Illiniwek—portrayed by buckskin-clad students who dance at home football and basketball games and other athletic events—an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.

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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.

“The Chief Illiniwek tradition inspired and thrilled members of the University of Illinois community for 80 years,” Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence Eppley said in a statement. “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.”

The university received a letter from the NCAA dated Thursday that said the school will no longer be banned from hosting postseason events if it ends use of the mascot and related American-Indian imagery.

The NCAA’s sanctions thus far have prevented Illinois from hosting only two postseason events, both in low-profile sports.

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“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,” Guenther said. “Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed, however, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made.”

Alumnae and others who support the use of the chief say they anticipated Friday’s decision for awhile, but that they were nonetheless shocked when it came.

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President Joseph B. White said he supported scrapping Chief Illiniwek. “While I understand many people have strong feelings about this 80-year-old tradition, for the good of our student-athletes and our university it is time to come together and move on to the next chapter in the history of this distinguished institution,” he said.

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“Now it is time to heal and take responsibility for the history of Chief Illiniwek on our campus,” John McKinn, of the university’s Native American House, said in a statement.

But McKinn, a Maricopa Indian of Arizona, also said the university should return the regalia worn to portray the chief. The costume was made in part by a now-deceased Sioux.

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