Posted on 02/17/2007 3:28:49 AM PST by XR7
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- The University of Illinois will drop its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek...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...games and other athletic events -- an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others have complained for years that the mascot, used since 1926, is demeaning...
...Eppley told reporters that the decision did not require a vote of the trustees...He declined to say whether the board was unanimous in its support for dropping the mascot.
Eppley said he's been a fan of Chief Illiniwek for years, but that the decision is best for the school.
"When you change your focus from what you want to what's best for the university, it's not so hard," Eppley said.
Athletic director Ron Guenther said he was disappointed in the decision...
"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...
"That means that we will have a museum Indian," said Howard Wakeland, president of the Honor the Chief Society, a group of chief supporters. "Put him in a cage and walk by and say that's our symbol... That seriously kills the real heart of the chief."
President Joseph B. White said he supported scrapping Chief Illiniwek.
"...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"...
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
What many have said after succumbing to relentless tyranny. Could just hear the leaders of many a church in Germany during the 1930's.
President Joseph B. White said he supported scrapping Chief Illiniwek "...for the good of our student-athletes and our university it is time to come together and move on...
The voice of appeasement.
"Move on."
Where have we heard that before?
If you want to load up on merchandise for based on the U. of Illinois new mascot, just go to their new website.
http://www.cafepress.com/fightinwhite/111
What a crock. Useless PC nonsense that does nothing but make "progressives" feel good.
Yeah, it makes liberals feel good (please don't use "progressive" that's how they get away from their label)but it's about more than that.
It's about control. If liberals can control the culture through the media and pc awareness they have won.
Everytime they force an issue like this and the culture defers, it's a victory for them.
Same is true with "hate" speech. It allows them to control the debate by not having one.
Would I be offended if some school near Fredericksburg named its team the Germans? No, I would enjoy it, much as the Irish celebrate the nickname for Notre Dame. In the same vein, we could take the Columbia University football team and call them the Liberals, as they are known to be on the wrong side of every contest that involves them. Perhaps that might offend some liberals, but I think they are too stupid.
New mascot? I'm thinking my Illiniwek winter jacket and sweatshirts just went up in value. Guess I better sell the stuff now, before everybody forgets the past as it actually happened.
I understand that the new Illini mascot is going to be a slot machine with legs.
The NCAA is the ACLU of the college set.
Should have told them to take their rule and shove it.
BWAH!!! Every time they score, a little old lady can run across the field with a bucket of quarters! They could even dress the cheerleaders like that. I'll work on the new cheers and get back to you.
They could keep the name Fighting Illini and honor America's fallen with a soldier as a mascot. They already have a football stadium called War Memorial Stadium.
I don't think the NCAA or the faculty would go for that idea..
Yeah, given how liberal the NCAA is, makes you wonder about how they allow black kids to be used as athletes by these universities. What percentage of kids who come out of the ghetto and play big time sports actually graduate?
When is the NCAA going to do something REALLY liberal and put a stop to this explotation by making sure these kids get a real education they can use in the market place.
Medicare!
Drug plan!
Security!
Send Your Paycheck
To Me Me Me!
Retirement!
Savings!
Rainy Day!
I'm Gonna Gamble
It All Away!
"Illinois" comes from name of Indian tribe- will the state now be changing its name? Along with "Indiana", "Delaware" and both the "Dakotas" and every other state and city with an Indian name?
Buh Bye Cheyenne Wyoming and Seneca New York!
Most of the lakes, rivers and an occasional mountain are all Indian names. I'm so ashamed.
I wouldnt look for it any time soon.
"What a crock. Useless PC nonsense."
Amen!
Change the name to Chief Mohammed and it will fly.
I just don't get it. Why is it considered "degrading" to "native Americans" to use an image of a warrior/chief/etc. as a mascot for an athletic program? As far as I know, mascots are held in high esteem and treated with respect. Further - I would imagine that most athletic programs goal is to be victorious - so what is the conflict in the image?
And just like every other type of appeasement - if ALL had held out, would the NCAA have continued to block them from postseason play?
And exactly what authority is there in the NCAA charter that allows them to ban a team from postseason play over a MASCOT? Violation of recruiting rules - sure. Violation of funding rules, sure. Violation of other rules that affect fair-play and such I can understand. But when a team is blocked because of a mascot?
This country has really and truly lost it...
My daughter went there for 4 years. She hated the campus and the PC BS that was shoved down her daily. She couldn't undershand why they put a College in the middle of nothing but corn fields. She is glad to be out of Champaign-Urbana.
I have to agree.
Then why did she stay?
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