A shameful ending to a great college tradition
If a "consensus" was reached about the future of the Chief Illiniwek tradition at the University of Illinois, it was done in private and did not involve the students and alumni of the UI, nor did it include the citizens of Illinois. All have indicated strong support for continuing the 81-year tradition that began with a reverent halftime ceremony in 1926 featuring "the Chief" and "William Penn" at an Illinois-Pennsylvania football game at Memorial Stadium.
But UI board of trustees Chairman Lawrence Eppley announced Friday that the consensus process had been nearly completed and that it was "in the best interest of the University" to end the tradition.
The public's support for the Chief didn't matter. Instead, the only "consensus" on the end of the tradition came from meddlers at the NCAA and from Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, who deemed the Chief racist, offensive and worthy of elimination. And so, a unique and respectful ceremony that has been witnessed by millions of people for nine decades, a tradition intended to honor the American Indians who gave the state its name, will be retired after Wednesday's men's basketball game at the Assembly Hall.
And what is accomplished? Not only is a great college tradition lost, but a distinct tie to the state's American Indian heritage is severed.
Furthermore, the decision is unsatisfying to virtually all parties. Chief supporters are understandably crestfallen, and already are threatening to display their anger by ignoring the UI's upcoming fundraising campaign. Opponents of the tradition will consider the Chief's demise only a first step. Their aim now will be set on the terms "Illini" and "Fighting Illini," and the marching band's performance of the "Three-In-One."
Anyone who thinks this tiresome controversy is over is mistaken.
There is little doubt that Eppley is correct that it is time to move on, work together to maintain other traditions at the University of Illinois and put the long and divisive Chief Illiniwek fight behind us. For years university administrators and policymakers have spent an excessive amount of time answering questions, conducting meetings and otherwise spending expensive time on a theatrical performance that totals a few hours a year. And for some people outside of Illinois, their only knowledge of this outstanding university is that it is the home of an Indian that dances at halftime.
It is sad that a tradition that began so innocently with an Indian chief and William Penn smoking a peace pipe to mark their friendship devolved into a fight about political influence, the perceived racism of a fine institution and which side was more righteous in its beliefs. Even sadder is that the decision to end the tradition came not from consensus but by threats from the NCAA and raw political power by the president of the state Senate. It's a shameful end to tradition that has stirred many an Illini for years.
The Chief will be missed.
I'm sure the fact that the men's basketball team will be playing in the NIT (most likely) is a factor as well....it's sad that it takes something like that in order for the tradition to come to an end. He had a good run, but it's time to move on.
I also find it disgusting that you think that the next step is attacking the Three-in-One and the term Illini. Perhaps you should consider actually *talking* to the anti-Chief groups instead of making broad-based generalizations about a group whose objectives you clearly know nothing about. Doing that, however, would not be consistent with the News-Gazette's long standing tradition of not having any objectivity.
It's hard to tell which was more shameful -- the 1920s minstrel show that somehow made its way into the year 2007, or the inability of so many people, John Foreman included, to see how shameful the minstrel show was.
Now, characteristically, there's a search for the scapegoat. Emil Jones? Professor Kaufman? The NCAA? How about this one instead -- the "Chief" was a blatantly racist display whose time had passed, so the true scapegoat was Father Time for not letting U of I drift along forever tied to a Hollywood parody "Injun."
The University has made a great step forward. Congratulations.
justinm, sadly, you are misinformed. spokespeople, specifically Jan somebody, for the anti-Chief forces have already stated that they are planning on trying next to eliminate the term 'fighting illini.' There is not rest for the perpetually offended. The News-gazoo is exactly right in that the students, alumni and citizens of Illinois and the vast majority of opinion was not given the consideration it should have been given. I have no Indian blood that I'm aware of but, as a native of Illinois and having lived here all my life, the Chief IS my heritage too.
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