Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

As some of you may know, Chief Illiniwek, the mascot of the University of Illinois Urbana-Chamapaign, performed his final halftime act (for at least the immediate future) tonight.

Due to NCAA mandates and other outside pressures, the Board of Trustees decided to remove the mascot from dancing at the halftimes of football, basketball, and volleyball games.

If anyone is interested, here is a link of the dance he performed tonight...

Chief's Last Dance


The dance he performs is not completely accurate according to Indian dances, and his costume isn't entirely accurate either. I personally believe U of I should have asked a neighboring Indian tribe to sponsor the chief, and correct any flaws the mascot might have.

Anyways, I just thought I would post this seeing if anyone were interested. I was at the game tonight, and it was a pretty emotional experience. I am not completely opposed to the University removing the chief as a mascot with the current situation, but I do blame the university for not stepping up to the plate and handling this issue before it got blown out of control. Still, tonight's perfomrance was very moving.

Anyways, just for this I hope we make it to the NCAA tournament. It would be weird to host an NIT game this year without the chief performing.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

i think you should be allowed to keep your mascot. sorry for your loss.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

its not really a mascot man, it doesn't stand on the sidelines, its just at halftime. but yeah, im pissed that its gone

SAVE THE CHIEF !!!

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

Political correctness is retarded sometimes. 80-year old tradition down the sh*tter.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

First off, I'd like to mention that I'm a UIUC alum.

They've been talking about doing this for a long time, and I think they are total idiots for doing so.

Everyone I know that attended U of I agreed that the school had very little feel for tradition. While a very strong academic school, it never felt like a special place to be.

This is just one more step towards killing any iota of tradition that might have existed there. Good job guys.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

It would be one thing if the chief was dancing on the sideline during the game, or being a typical Big 10 mascot who taunts the opposing crowd. I still find it funny of the double-standard that exists for other mascots.

Notre Dame comes to mind. The fighting Irish leprachaun is seen as a happy little guy who dances around, etc. In my mind, this is more offensive towards Irish people than the chief, who performs only at halftime in a respectful manner. However, no one has a problem with the leprachaun IMO because it doesn't portray a minority.

I just think the whole thing is stupid, and people need to stop worrying about a mascot and focus on real-life economic problems which are around us, especially in the CU area, today.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

LOL at kids wearing black.

and holding a candlelight vigil, what a joke.

seriously who the hell cares about the cheif, you will get another mascot. we are lucky we still get to be called the "fighting" illini

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

Fighting actually has nothing to do with Indians. It was added to Illini in 1921 to honor those who fought in World War I.

I did not wear black tonight, I wore my Orange Krush shirt, and it was probably about 60/40 black to orange in the student sections.

I agree that the candlelight vigil is a joke, I really don't know what those kids are thinking.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

Good thread, O.P. I hadn't seen the video yet. As an alum, it sucks to see the Chief go after all these years.

Here's a petition some alums have started if anyone's interested:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/987672837

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

Wow, I was really expecting this to go the other way. I've never heard anyone actually defend the chief. I didn't go there, but I had a few friends who did. It seemed like everyone thought of him as an embarrassing sort of minstrel show.

BTW, the Fighting Irish comparison really doesn't hold. Notre Dame was founded by Catholics, many of them Irish. And I've never heard anyone find it offensive.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

dude read the DI once in a while they talked about the term "fighting illini" and why we got to keep it (seemed to be very different from what you said, but i think it was a kids article no an AP one)

P.S. i go to a lot more sports stuff here than just basketball but i dont get everyone obsession with the Cheif

Edit: Because i find more source

The earliest recorded usage of the term "Illini" appears to have been in January 1874, when the weekly student newspaper changed its name from The Student to The Illini. An editorial (pdf, 150KB) in the first issue of the renamed journal (Volume 3, Issue 1) implies that the term was coined and had not formally existed prior to 1874. During the late 19th century and the first years of the 20th century, it was often used to refer to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University, as well as to the campus as a whole.

and

Application of the term specifically in reference to athletic teams seems to have been first by secondhand accounts of University athletic teams. The earliest reference in the Illio appears to be one mention in the summary of the 1907 football season. The term gained greater frequency in the next decade, especially during the 1914, 1915, and 1916 football seasons. Daily Illini articles and football programs prior to these dates do not extensively cite the term, at least to the extent of our staff's knowledge. Other terms, such as the "Indians," "our men," "Orange and Blue," and the "homecomers" were sometimes applied to the team, none in a consistent fashion, except for "Illinois" and "Varsity".

etc. from our very own school http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ahx/illini/

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

a side note: i won a hundo because i bet my friend that Jamar smith was either drunk or high.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I actually saw Jamar Smith at Taco Bell after the game tonight, it was very awkward as it was him, me, and my 3 friends in the place at like 11pm.

I have season tix for football, basketball, and have gone to numerous volleyball games, so I've seen the chief perform quite a bit.

I'm not necessarily arguing for the retention of the chief; I think the time for reforming it has passed, and there was an opporutnity in the past few years to update it.

If MSU took away Sparty, if Wisconsin took away Bucky, if OSU took away Brutus, you would hear about it, and there would be students protesting.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

You can't take away Illini. Illinois means Illini in French (according to one of my history professors, who lives and is fluent in French). If Illini is racist or whatever, then the whole state name is racist...it doesn't make much sense.

And I DO read the DI. A couple days ago, the fact I posted about the term "fighting" was on the back page, so please don't question my sources or reading ability.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

nice job with the season tix,

do you really get something out of seeing the chief, with me i think it would be the same regardless

also i dont know if you tell by my tone or not but i dont care either way at all about the cheif, i just find it so funny that kids (and some alumni also) get so worked up about it.

P.S. why is there no taco bell on green street?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I enjoy watching the chief. I'm not crying that he is gone, but things will be different next year during halftimes. Like I said before, I'm not really that gung-ho about keeping him, I just think it is an interesting thing that is going on here.

I do also find it amusing how many people get worked up about the chief. At Chipotle the other day the townie cashier and manager were talking about it. Instead of making the whole thing a war and taking sides, a compromise should have been pursued, but o well...

Taco Bell would make gobs and gobs of money on Green. I hate having to walk to Neil to eat (never been to the one on University or Springfield, whichever one it is).

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

Yea it sucks to see the chief go. I'm not a huge pro-chief guy, but I do enjoy the halftime shows and will miss him next year. And I can kinda see why people get so worked up because the reason for taking him away is so lame. Oh Well, RIP CHIEF.

Also, it would be cool to see a Taco Bell where the old (and worst ever) Burger King was. Of course that would make 5 'mexican' places in a 3 block stretch.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

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dude read the DI

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OMG beat. I came from a town with a newspaper tha ti thought was hte most retarded newspaper ever, that is again until I found the DI. jopke.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

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Wow, I was really expecting this to go the other way. I've never heard anyone actually defend the chief. I didn't go there, but I had a few friends who did. It seemed like everyone thought of him as an embarrassing sort of minstrel show.


[/ QUOTE ]

I go there and no one I know thinks of Chief like that (although I'm sure the super liberal PC people do)

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BTW, the Fighting Irish comparison really doesn't hold. Notre Dame was founded by Catholics, many of them Irish. And I've never heard anyone find it offensive.

[/ QUOTE ]

you can't see how a drunken irish guy as mascot could be seen offensive? (they also aren't a minority)

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk. Where did that come from? And I didn't say that Irish people were a minority.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I started a thread about this in the Sporting Events forum.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think most leprechauns are offended by the stereotype that is reinforced by the ND mascot. It's a shame that current day leprechauns do not speak out against this, but I think the fear of losing the royalties from their endorsement of Lucky Charms keeps them silent on this issue.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

[/ QUOTE ]
The Illinois mascot is a native american. How is that offensive?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

[/ QUOTE ]
The Illinois mascot is a white kid from the suburbs dressed up as a native american. How is that not offensive?

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

[/ QUOTE ]
The Illinois mascot is a white kid from the suburbs dressed up as a native american. How is that not offensive?

[/ QUOTE ]

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Yeah, where the guy lives is relevant. So if the notre dame mascot is an irish guy in the costume, it's ok. If he's mexican, it's offensive.
We're not talking about chief wahoo here.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The Notre Dame mascot isn't drunk and is a [censored] leprechaun, a mythical creature of Irish folklore. How is that offensive or comparable?

[/ QUOTE ]
The Illinois mascot is a white kid from the suburbs dressed up as a native american. How is that not offensive?

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, where the guy lives is relevant. So if the notre dame mascot is an irish guy in the costume, it's ok. If he's mexican, it's offensive.
We're not talking about chief wahoo here.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think anyone has ever claimed that the Notre Dame mascot is offensive. There was a black guy who was the leprechaun a few years ago, no one complained.


http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7638/redherringzd2.jpg

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I'll just repeat what I said in the Sporting Events thread about this.

I'm fine with the name Illini/Fighting Illini.

Whether or not you think it's offensive, I think the idea of a white person dressing up as a native American and performing a dance ritual during a sporting event halftime is highly inappropriate.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]

I don't think anyone has ever claimed that the Notre Dame mascot is offensive.

[/ QUOTE ]
That's the whole point.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
Whether or not you think it's offensive, I think the idea of a white person dressing up as a native American and performing a dance ritual during a sporting event halftime is highly inappropriate.

[/ QUOTE ]
Why? It's not done mockingly.
The act of imitating something else is not by default offensive. Of course, depending on how it's done, it can be offensive. But it's not inherently so.

Why in the hell would it matter what race the person is who's doing it?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Whether or not you think it's offensive, I think the idea of a white person dressing up as a native American and performing a dance ritual during a sporting event halftime is highly inappropriate.

[/ QUOTE ]
Why? It's not done mockingly.
The act of imitating something else is not by default offensive. Of course, depending on how it's done, it can be offensive. But it's not inherently so.

Why in the hell would it matter what race the person is who's doing it?

[/ QUOTE ]

It doesn't matter if it's done mockingly or not. It's a sporting event. There's no reason to have any sort of dancing.

I don't care much for halftime entertainment in general, but if the school wanted to invite a local tribe to perform a dance, I'd be fine with that.

Also...you don't see how race matters here? Let's pretend there was a team called the Alabama Africans. Let's pretend, however ridiculous this would be in this example, that the team name was accepted as honoring people of African heritage. Would a white guy dressing up in traditional African garb performing a drum routine be appropriate halftime entertainment?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I read somwhere that the Peoria Tribe asked that the costume not be used anymore. At one point I think they said it was okay, and now they changed their mind (which is something that they are entitled to do). If that is the case then yeah, I don't have a problem with Chief Illiniwek being retired.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

If we get rid of the nickname fightin illini i might hurt someone. thats frickin ridiculous.
also about taco bell on green street, go to Los Amigos, its real good and get the torta el rez.
where that old burger kind was (god that service sucked), they should put a damn white castle, the nearest white castle is in St. Louis

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

The guy who wears the costume for the MN Twins probably isn't really a twin.
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
The guy who wears the costume for the MN Twins probably isn't really a twin.
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

These are just stupid ridiculous red herrings that have nothing to do with the debate. Do you see why?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

ha, the Twins Mascot is a bear

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The guy who wears the costume for the MN Twins probably isn't really a twin.
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

These are just stupid ridiculous red herrings that have nothing to do with the debate. Do you see why?

[/ QUOTE ]
It's relevant to the debate over whether or not it matters if the people portraying a mascot are actually the same race/heritage/occupation as the mascot.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I can confirm that the person who was in the TC Bear costume was not in fact a bear. I played in a mascot game with him several years ago at a Minnesota Wild game.

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The guy who wears the costume for the MN Twins probably isn't really a twin.
[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

These are just stupid ridiculous red herrings that have nothing to do with the debate. Do you see why?

[/ QUOTE ]
It's relevant to the debate over whether or not it matters if the people portraying a mascot are actually the same race/heritage/occupation as the mascot.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, it's not. It's a horrible strawman argument.

There's basically two kinds of people:

1- People who can see why this would be considered offensive, even if they don't specifically agree that it is.

2- Drooling idiots.

I'm somewhat flabbergasted that it's taken this long to realize that treating people who white america [censored] gennocided and marginiziled this way isn't ok. Hi, we stole your land, we killed a fuckload of you, and we're also going to jack your culture and make it a halftime show?

Re: Chief Illiniwek\'s Last Dance
 

I agree with Did's points.

The number of upper middle-class subarnbanites here who are fighting this is ridiculous. I fit this description as well, but unlike most, I'm not getting my undies twisted over this.