Illini Hogging the Press

By Todd McClamroch in News on Feb 22, 2007 9:03PM

In a week where Wisconsin earned its first ever #1 ranking for Men's Basketball and then quickly tossed it aside, losing to the Spartans of Michigan State, the next night it is the Illini who are getting all the press.

The end of the 80+ year tradition of Chief Illiniwek has garnered a ton of local and national coverage this week. By retiring the Chief, the University of Illinois is likely to see an NCAA ban on post-season events at the University lifted. Response to the move is obviously mixed on this emotionally-charged topic. If seeing the Chief's final dance floats your boat, check it out on YouTube.

The Chief is not the only Illini representative in the news. Jamar Smith, who was charged with causing bodily harm while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident, is also receiving coverage. Smith and fellow Illini Brian Carlwell were in a one car accident on February 12th a result of the DUI. Smith posted bond and was released yesterday, he is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow. He is the second Illini athlete in six months to be charged with a DUI.