Chief Illiniwek.....HE GONE!!!

[whitesoxfan101]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...-home-headlines

 

Let me be the first to say how LONG OVERDUE this is. Maybe it makes me a bad Illini fan to say it, but I believe it. I hate to quote a moron like Stuart Scott, but his line "sound and fury signifying nothing" describes what was the long debate about the chief. IT'S A FREAKING STUPID ASS INDIAN COSTUME THAT A DRUNKEN FRAT BOY DOES A FAKE DANCE IN!! And Illinois students and alums are going to STILL get their panties all up in a bunch over this. Well save yourself the time, and I'm glad I never have to hear about this crap again.

 

/rant

[Flash Tizzle]

Any ideas thrown around concerning a possible replacement for Chief Illinewek?

[whitesoxfan101]

My personal choice would be the old guy that wrote the KFC recipe and is on all the signs at the restaurants, the kernal or whatever. Have him do a dance at halftime, that would be great.

[Flash Tizzle]

I say, why not just plaster a giant rainbow across the logo? It would signify unity and strengh, as to persevere following the most tumultuous of events.

 

If you say no, I can only chalk it up as intolerance. Either pick the rainbow or everyone attending University of Illinois is a homophone. Don't be afraid of what Hardaway might say, either.

[IlliniKrush]

Well who didn't see this one coming, final home basketball game this season as the final performance.

 

Anyway, i still think it's complete bulls*** that a longstanding university tradition (81 years) has to hit the road. I really don't see what it's going to accomplish from the NCAA's perspective (again, FSU can keep their 'hostile' mascot, blah blah blah).

 

At least the name won't change from 'fighting illini' (correct me if i'm wrong).

 

Tons of people won't be donating now, so I hope the university is ready to deal with that.

[whitesoxfan101]

Well who didn't see this one coming, final home basketball game this season as the final performance.

 

Anyway, i still think it's complete bulls*** that a longstanding university tradition (81 years) has to hit the road. I really don't see what it's going to accomplish from the NCAA's perspective (again, FSU can keep their 'hostile' mascot, blah blah blah).

 

At least the name won't change from 'fighting illini' (correct me if i'm wrong).

 

Tons of people won't be donating now, so I hope the university is ready to deal with that.

 

No, they aren't changing the actual nickname (I'd have a problem with that, big time), they are just getting rid of that stupid ass costume and stupid ass dance, that's all. It is also BS that FSU gets to keep their flaming spear thrower, but they payed off the still relevelant Seminole tribe of Florida in order to keep it, whereas the Illini tribe is just about wiped out. Thems the breaks.....

 

Oh and who the hell are these morons that aren't going to donate to the University anymore because a drunk frat boy isn't going to dress like an Indian and dance, Cubs fans? It's an embarassment people that dumb are associated with the school, to be honest (and yes, I know your right this will cost them donors, sad but true).

[IlliniKrush]

I totally get why FSU has it, but it's clearly not consistent with what the NCAA is seemingly trying to accomplish. Their mascot is way more 'hostile' than ours, but it stays. NCAA doesn't make sense with many things for many years, so what else is new.

 

You know the donor thing is going to happen. I think I read somewhere last year that they'd lose about 10% of donations. That's quite a number when you put it into actual dollar figures, i'm sure. And, the university is trying to raise billions right now for various renovations, IIRC. Not a good start.

 

I'll be interested to see what happens around campus this week, if anything.

Edited February 16, 2007 by IlliniKrush

[whitesoxfan101]

The students won't be nearly as pissed off as the crusty old people, which is why the donorship will get hurt (idiots) a lot more than the students will get pissed. And it's not fair about FSU, your correct, it's not consistent, but then again, it's the NCAA.

[LowerCaseRepublican]

I advocate Drinkin' Lincoln for the new mascot! A hard-drinking Abe Lincoln impersonator!

[thedoctor]

I advocate Drinkin' Lincoln for the new mascot! A hard-drinking Abe Lincoln impersonator!

 

word.

 

as for this decision, i'm in favor of it. it was time. yes, it was a tradition, but i tend to agree with 101 that all this handwringing over some white guy prancing around in a costume was overdone on both sides. i'm tired of the argument and happy that at least part of it go away.

 

as an alumni, i care that my university offers great educational opportunities, is at the forefront of research, and has student-athletes that we can be proud of. i don't really give a damn about the mascot. it did nothing to enhance my undergraduate experience.

[AddisonStSox]

Oh and who the hell are these morons that aren't going to donate to the University anymore because a drunk frat boy isn't going to dress like an Indian and dance, Cubs fans? It's an embarassment people that dumb are associated with the school, to be honest (and yes, I know your right this will cost them donors, sad but true).

 

Don't hold it against the University of Illinois, its fans, or its donors that you were not accepted here. As far as I know, you have no ties to this institution and should not be speaking to this situation in the manner you are.

 

Consider me a moron that is upset that a drunk, frat boy isn't going to dress like an Indian and dance. It's tradition and the last poll of Native Americans asked if they had a problem with Illiniwek that I saw offered no evidence that they overwhelmingly opposed to our drunken frat boy--quite the contrary.

 

Go Huskies.

[Jimbo's Drinker]

We can have Bruce Weber immitators. The squeakiest voice wins..

[RockRaines]

Its about time that racist figurehead doing gymnastics is let go. In 5 years, the students at Illinois wont even know or remember that at halftime some white guy did a made up dance in a costume.

[thedoctor]

Its about time that racist figurehead doing gymnastics is let go. In 5 years, the students at Illinois wont even know or remember that at halftime some white guy did a made up dance in a costume.

 

in five years i will however remember the sight of two arizona state co-eds tongue kissing at a football game. that's been indelibly burned into my psyche.

[RockRaines]

in five years i will however remember the sight of two arizona state co-eds tongue kissing at a football game. that's been indelibly burned into my psyche.

Well, thats just the wonder of girl on girl action. It never dies, it multiplies....or something like that.

[CanOfCorn]

word.

 

as for this decision, i'm in favor of it. it was time. yes, it was a tradition, but i tend to agree with 101 that all this handwringing over some white guy prancing around in a costume was overdone on both sides. i'm tired of the argument and happy that at least part of it go away.

 

as an alumni, i care that my university offers great educational opportunities, is at the forefront of research, and has student-athletes that we can be proud of. i don't really give a damn about the mascot. it did nothing to enhance my undergraduate experience.

 

Also as an alumni, it did enhance my undergraduate experience. I looked forward to football games (they were actually good when I went there) and got goose bumps every halftime. I also went to a game in the early 80's when I was in Jr. High and the Chief was one of a few things I remember (also beating the snot out of Indiana). I know a former Chief and he has always held that position in incredibly high regard. I am saddened by this move, disappointed that the University didn't do more to fight the NCAA, but will take it in stride and support the University going forward. But, they will definitely be under more scrutiny for awhile.

 

RIP...Chief Illiniwek.

[SnB]

You would think the opposers of the chief would maybe try and increase native american population on this campus and ya know, actually do something productive.

 

The dance wasn't racist.

If FSU can do it, we should be able to do it, period.

[whitesoxfan101]

Don't hold it against the University of Illinois, its fans, or its donors that you were not accepted here. As far as I know, you have no ties to this institution and should not be speaking to this situation in the manner you are.

 

Consider me a moron that is upset that a drunk, frat boy isn't going to dress like an Indian and dance. It's tradition and the last poll of Native Americans asked if they had a problem with Illiniwek that I saw offered no evidence that they overwhelmingly opposed to our drunken frat boy--quite the contrary.

 

Go Huskies.

 

I didn't even apply to go to Illinois, and chose NIU in part because I had 2 family members that live in Chicago diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of my senior year of high school, but thanks for playing the "I'll try to use a personal shot to piss somebody off" game.

 

And if your ACTUALLY upset over this, yes your a moron. If you disagree with the double standard and don't like it like SnB and IlliniKrush, that's more than fair, but any other anger over this is silly.

Edited February 16, 2007 by whitesoxfan101

[SleepyWhiteSox]

The dance wasn't racist.

If FSU can do it, we should be able to do it, period.

 

There's virtually no opposition at FSU for it. No controversy.

 

With all the controversy and so many people against it at illinois, might as well just let it go. Sounds like it had to be done.

[thedoctor]

Also as an alumni, it did enhance my undergraduate experience. I looked forward to football games (they were actually good when I went there) and got goose bumps every halftime. I also went to a game in the early 80's when I was in Jr. High and the Chief was one of a few things I remember (also beating the snot out of Indiana). I know a former Chief and he has always held that position in incredibly high regard. I am saddened by this move, disappointed that the University didn't do more to fight the NCAA, but will take it in stride and support the University going forward. But, they will definitely be under more scrutiny for awhile.

 

RIP...Chief Illiniwek.

 

i respect that. i wouldn't dismiss the fact that the chief means a lot to a lot of people. i guess i just think it's time to move on. with the passage of time other traditions will emerge.

 

You would think the opposers of the chief would maybe try and increase native american population on this campus and ya know, actually do something productive.

 

The dance wasn't racist.

If FSU can do it, we should be able to do it, period.

 

i have to disagree a bit. i think it should be the university's responsibility to do something productive in regards to native americans (i.e. a scholarship endowment, better native american studies program, etc.). it is the university that has most benefitted from the chief, so it should be the university that steps up, not separate groups.

 

your point about fsu is a great illustration of this. florida state has been a longtime financial supporter of the seminole ethnic group. they recognized they were drawing a huge financial benefit from having the seminole as a mascot, and addressed that by passing some of the profits along to the group.

 

now, the illini tribe is gone, so there couldn't be any direct passing along of benefits. but i am not sure the university ever really stepped forward to put its money where its mascot was. it could easily do that via scholarship endowments or something similar.

[RockRaines]

The dance wasn't racist.

Apparently members of that actual race dont agree with you.

[knightni]

When Hard Drinkin' Lincoln gets to drinkin', he gets to... break dancing!!!!

[AddisonStSox]

I didn't even apply to go to Illinois, and chose NIU in part because I had 2 family members that live in Chicago diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of my senior year of high school, but thanks for playing the "I'll try to use a personal shot to piss somebody off" game.

 

And if your ACTUALLY upset over this, yes your a moron. If you disagree with the double standard and don't like it like SnB and IlliniKrush, that's more than fair, but any other anger over this is silly.

 

Quite frankly, I couldn’t care less what you have to say on this issue.

 

What I would like to see is some consistency. If I see some overwhelming evidence from the six tribes that made up the loosely bound confederation of Illiniwek, I will gladly comply. If decedents from any one of the Peoria, Tamaroa, Moingwena, Michigamea, Kaskaskia, or Cahokia tribes come out and say they are deeply wronged by the sporting mascot of a collegiate institution, I can accept that. However, I have yet to see such evidence. In fact, the evidence that I have seen doesn’t seem to support these sentiments in the slightest.

 

I simply can not comprehend how a Seminole Indian can throw a flaming spear at mid-field while on horseback and the University of Illinois can not have a mascot do a dance at halftime. And before we speak too much out of ignorance, every one of the students that have held the position of Chief Illiniwek (sometimes referred to as the Council of Chiefs, although there is really no such organization) spends a considerable amount of time on an Indian reservation learning about the heritage and customs that they will embody for the next calendar year.

 

Will I lose sleep over this issue? Hell no. Am I upset that a group largely comprised of liberal professors and rich, White kids from Deerfield with nothing else to do has put an end to a belov’ed tradition at my institution? Yes.

 

I do support the Illinois Drinkin’ Lincolns. Now, that would be a mascot we all could embrace.

[Rowand44]

White kids from Deerfield

Hey now, be nice.

[SleepyWhiteSox]

If decedents from any one of the Peoria, Tamaroa, Moingwena, Michigamea, Kaskaskia, or Cahokia tribes come out and say they are deeply wronged by the sporting mascot of a collegiate institution, I can accept that.

 

They have, haven't they?