It's the Last Dance...

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 31, 2006 9:37PM

It looks like the University of Illinois' controversial mascot, Chief Illiniwek is about to dance his last dance. The university announced that he will perform at season opener in Champaign, and at home basketball game this winter before hanging up his head dress.

The Chief's retirement follows last year's new NCAA policies against "hostile" and "abusive'' mascots. Illiniwek was among over two dozen school symbols put on notice. Sanctions for schools with these mascots included bans on hosting postseason competitions.

In addition to ending performances by costumed students dressed as the Chief, the university will also drop the use of the Chief logo on officially licensed clothing.

Chicagoist has truly mixed feelings about Chief Illiniwek. On the one hand, we like the tradition of the Chief and believe that the mascot honors those Native Americans who live(d) in the area that is now Illinois. On the other hand, we don't want to offend Native Americans, or others, who feel the mascot is degrading to Native culture. While other schools, such as the Florida State Seminoles, were able to get explicit permission from the tribe itself to keep their nickname and mascot, Chief Illiniwek is not based on one tribe. Therefore, getting any kind of permission would be virtually impossible.

The chief may not fade entirely away, however. The university will transfer ownership of Chief Illiniwek to the Council of Chiefs, comprised of alumni who have performed as the Chief. They have yet to determine how and when the Chief may remain a University of Illinois tradition.