About 20 years ago two women sat in front of the WDWS tent at an Illinois football game selling little stickers that read "Save The Chief."

          Their names were Jean Edwards and Eleanor Blair. 

          The tiny movement grew with bumper stickers, visors, badges, and other assorted gear that the Illiniwek faithful proudly displayed - urging the University of Illinois to hold onto an 80-plus year tradition.

          The battle raged as the majority of students, fans and alumni cast their ballots - time after time - in favor of the Chief.   Each time some member of the Board of Trustees was ready to propose dumping the Chief - they had to back off.   Seems there was a pro-Chief majority on the Board as well.

         But, the Board, the U of I administration, and much of the faculty grew weary of spending time, energy and money fighting the Chief battle.   Even though they knew getting rid of the Chief would not be popular - they wanted the problem to disappear.

         Finally, the Board got a break.  The NCAA warned the U of I that keeping the Chief would mean that no Illinois team could host a post-season tournament.  Now, the Board could legitimately vote him out and that would be the end of it.

       Not so fast.  The Students For Chief Illiniwek, the Honor the Chief Society, and the Council of Former Chiefs fought on.   Knowing full well that there is little hope that the Chief will ever return to dance at halftime of Illini sporting events, they have shifted their emphasis to maintaining a positive relationship with various Native American groups and not letting the tradition die.  Chief Illiniwek is more than a 4 1/2 minute halftime dance.

        On Saturday afternoon Illini supporters began lining up at 2 p.m. for a Students For Chief Illiniwek event called The Next Dance, which was scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.  Hundreds stood in the cold waiting.  Several thousand were on hand when an emotional program of video, talks by former Chiefs, and the dance took place.

        Now, at every Illini football, basketball, and volleyball game - when the Three-In-One is played - Illini fans stand and applaud and sing - because their Chief is still there in spirit.

       Eleanor Blair is gone now.  But, Saturday afternoon at the Next Dance Jean Edwards sat proudly on the front row with her buddy Roger Huddleston.  It must have felt pretty darn good to them.