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 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.
