[font class="Head2"]U. of Illinois bars Indian mascot[/font]
[font class="byLine"]By David Mercer[/font]
[font class="byLine"]ASSOCIATED PRESS[/font]
[font class="byLine"]Friday, Feb. 16 2007[/font]
URBANA, Ill. (AP) -- The University of Illinois will drop its 81-year-old
American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men's home game of
the season on Wednesday, officials said today.
The move makes the school eligible to host postseason NCAA championship
events.
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.
Illinois still will be able to use the name the 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."
American Indian groups and others have 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.
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.
President Joseph B. White said he supported the decision to scrap 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.
Athletic director Ron Guenther said he was disappointed in the decision, but
that the NCAA's sanction hurt the school's athletes and coaches.
"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."
On Thursday, two students who portray the chief filed a lawsuit asking the
Champaign County Circuit Court to bar the university from "capitulating to the
NCAA by announcing the retirement of Chief Illiniwek." A hearing on the lawsuit
was under way Friday.
The university has declined comment on the students' suit, while the NCAA
says it believes its sanctions are legal.
A state district judge in North Dakota in November granted a preliminary
injunction in a similar lawsuit filed over the University of North Dakota's
Fighting Sioux nickname and use of American Indian imagery.
In the lawsuit, the students also argued that by imposing sanctions, the
NCAA failed to provide due process to the students and the university.
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