Not Over It Yet: Chief Illiniwek Will Not Die
Despite the fact the mascot has been officially retired since early 2007, University of Illinois fans are holding tryouts for the next Chief Illiniwek, the Daily Illini reports:
True to the traditional selection process, candidates will complete a monthlong seminar in which they learn both the dance as well as the history. In March, the seminar will culminate in the selection of Chief XXXVII by a panel of former Chiefs and others from the Honor the Chief Society, composed of University alumni and fan supporters.
Although the school would normally face NCAA sanctions if it ever used the "hostile or abusive" symbol in an official manner, the tryout organizers are working privately, so the issue is one of free speech.
Tags: University of Illinois | mascots
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Chief Illiniwek
The Chief needs to come back to the U of I. How is the chief going to get banned for a dance or two but the florida state seminoles come out on horseback and throw a spear into the ground yet we are still considered hostile or abusive.A whole lot of bs is going on with this topic
The Chief
The DAMNED Alumni office keeps calling! Send us your money, they invite! To wit, I reply, "Bring back the Chief and I'll will you my estate! Otherwise don't call this number again!" As an alumni of the Marching Illini, 'not enough blood to get anything' "Cherokee Nation member", I find all this totally disgusting! If enough alumni cut off the funding, perhaps the Administration will get the message. Further the NCAA has put up with bribes, graft, "under the table perks", grade-fixing, etc. for just about every one of its members. It wouldn't know "degrading to Native Americans" with or without peyote!
The Chief
The DAMNED Alumni office keeps calling! Send us your money, they invite! To wit, I reply, "Bring back the Chief and I'll will you my estate! Otherwise don't call this number again!" As an alumni of the Marching Illini, 'not enough blood to get anything' "Cherokee Nation member", I find all this totally disgusting! If enough alumni cut off the funding, perhaps the Administration will get the message. Further the NCAA has put up with bribes, graft, "under the table perks", grade-fixing, etc. for just about every one of its members. It wouldn't know "degrading to Native Americans" with or without peyote!
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