URBANA, Ill.
The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men’s home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others 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.
Illinois still will be able to use the name 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.
“This is an extremely emotional day for people on both sides of the issue, but the decision ends a two-decade-long struggle surrounding Chief Illiniwek on this campus,” said athletic director Ron Guenther.
“Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed. However, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made.”
