Score one more victory for American Indian activist groups. The University of Illinois has announced that they will stop using their mascot for the last 81 years, Chief Illiniwek. Illinois joins a few other schools with Native American mascots that have been axed.
“While I understand many people have strong feelings about this 80-year-old tradition, for the good of our student-athletes and our university it is time to come together and move on to the next chapter in the history of this distinguished institution,” he said.
While I’m not familiar with Illiniwek’s exact role at Illinois games, I still find it questionable that college mascots are being whacked, but no pro sports. The Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, and Chicago Blackhawks all have Indians in their logo that could certainly be seen as more offensive than an authentic looking mascot. Why are colleges the only casualty if it’s such a big problem?
While professional teams manage to avoid name changes, colleges have been forced to alter or scrap mascots altogether. A couple years back, the NCAA forbid any schools with “hostile” or “abusive” nicknames/mascots from displaying it on their uniform during NCAA postseason competition. Other schools undergoing controversy include San Diego State’s use of former mascot Monty Montezuma and the North Dakota Fighting Sioux, who ended up suing the NCAA.
Chief Illiniwek will make his last appearance at Illinois on Wednesday.
