CHAMPAIGN Ill.
The University of Illinois halftime show will go on.
No drastic changes are being made to the halftime show at Illini football games this year, despite the loss of the school’s longtime mascot, Chief Illiniwek. The school shelved the mascot earlier this year after decades of debate over whether it was a racist symbol or an honored tradition.
Illini Marching Band Director Peter Griffin said the halftime show will look a lot like it did before, despite the Chief’s absence.
Band members will play the Three-in-One music and form the letters I-L-L-I-N-I on the field.
“It will look as it always has, except there will be no gap between I-L-L and I-N-I,” Griffin said.
University Chancellor Richard Herman said he made the decision to stick with the familiar halftime shows after consulting with former Chiefs and faculty and staff on campus.
