As recently reported by Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune, and many others, the U of I is making a play for moving past the Chief.
Interim Chancellor, Barbara Wilson, has sanctioned a student committee’s request to seek a mascot for Illinois. This would be Illinois’ first mascot because the Chief was a “symbol.”
So be it. About time. Fine by me. Because like it or not, and I know legions of you don’t like it, but the Chief… he ain’t coming back.
This isn’t about whether the Chief was a symbol of respect to Native American culture, and specifically the Illini Tribe, or a rude and insensitive caricature of an otherwise complicated and proud people.