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Chief Illiniwek is poised for his comeback.
University of Illinois student Logan Ponce, chosen last spring by former portrayers of Chief Illiniwek to be the 37th Chief Illiniwek, will dance in a replica costume in the Assembly Hall next month.
University students are organizing an event called "The Next Dance" in conjunction with the Illini football game against Ohio State on Nov. 15.
"It will be the dance everyone knows and loves," said Roberto Martell, UI student and president of Students for Chief Illiniwek, a registered student organization on campus.
Guests, expected to include former Chiefs and other supporters, will talk about the Chief's history. A multimedia presentation is also planned.
Organizers have not chosen a start time yet, pending the announcement of the game's kickoff, but they envision the Nov. 15 event as "a rallying point for the Illini Nation," Martell said.
"It's very exciting to see such support," Ponce said. "We've been planning a comeback performance for a while. This will provide a great, same-day atmosphere for the game."
Students announced the details at a campus press conference in front of the Alma Mater on Thursday.
Standing about 10 feet from the press conference, Bill Cook of Champaign quietly held a sign of protest.
"The university says the students have freedom of speech, but allowing them to rent out the space and allow these antics to return to their points of origin is outrageous," he said.
Cook was arrested in early 2002 over his protest of the Chief at a UI
basketball game at the Assembly Hall. He was convicted of resisting arrest and sentenced to probation.
Chief Illiniwek is "no longer the symbol of the university, but it seems like the university is sanctioning this" by allowing them to rent the space, he said.
Citing the students' right to freedom of speech, UI spokeswoman Robin Kaler has said the university has retired the Chief and is not supporting the event.
Students or groups associated with the university can rent the Assembly Hall, according to Kaler.
The last official appearance of Chief Illiniwek was on Feb. 21, 2007, at a men's basketball game at the Assembly Hall. A month later, the University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted to end the use of American Indian imagery, effectively retiring Chief Illiniwek.

The board's decision removed the university from the NCAA's list of universities subject to its sanctions on American Indian imagery. The NCAA's policy, issued in August 2005, prohibits postseason competition events at schools that have "hostile or abusive" racial, ethnic or national origin mascots.

When asked whether the event makes the university in or out of compliance, NCAA spokesman Bob Williams said, “We are currently in contact with the U of I to determine the facts associated with this issue.”

Comments

I think Mr. Cook needs to be reminded of the antics used by Mr. Stephen Kaufman against the chief. He used his position as an employee of the University to contact potential students and athletes discouraging them from attending the U of I because of his own personal anti-chief beliefs. It is kind of ironic that some people only believe in freedom of speech when it suits themselves.

Posted by schristensen on October 31, 2008 at 3:02 PM | Suggest Removal

No matter how many people who enjoy living in the past show up for this event, it's still a lost cause. The Chief is no longer the mascot -- learn it, live it, love it.

So in effect, it's not really the Chief at all. It's just some numbskull dancing around in regalia.

Posted by Wenalway on October 31, 2008 at 8:18 PM | Suggest Removal

how much financial support do all you loudmouths bashing the Chief,give to American Indian causes,,,or do you even know the name of any ?? Get a life you whining losers..The Chief WILL return when these pinheaded trustees are replaced !!!!! You live with that !!!

Posted by FearTheChief on October 31, 2008 at 9:42 PM | Suggest Removal

There is no Chief. Remember? We just went through that. No mascot = no Chief.

It's just an idiot dancing around in regalia.

I realize this may take a while to sink in. Pro-Chief folks have shown they aren't exactly the sharpest tacks in the box.

Posted by Wenalway on November 1, 2008 at 6:39 AM | Suggest Removal

Way to go Logan. Long live the Chief. The NCAA had no business interferring with U of I internal affairs in the first place. We'll be there to support you on November 15.

Posted by sclark on November 3, 2008 at 3:08 PM | Suggest Removal

Whats the latest on THE CHIEF rally now that the UI/OSU game is at 11:00. I'm driving 250 miles to be there! tnt

Posted by tntsher on November 3, 2008 at 3:16 PM | Suggest Removal

"The NCAA had no business interfering with U of I internal affairs"...

What? This sounds very similar to those antebellum state legislators professing that the federal government should not get involved in their internal affairs...hmmm

"It's not really the Chief at all, just some numbskull dancing around in regalia"

Isn't "the chief" a mind-state anyway. These individuals do not possess any true pride in Native customs, religions, languages, etc. If so, they would not mimmick in a catch-all manner, solidifying already entrenched stereotypes regarding Native People.

"how much financial support do all you loudmouths bashing the Chief,give to American Indian causes,,,or do you even know the name of any ?? Get a life you whining losers.."

How the h*#l is that relevant in the least? Money, obviously, isn't going to change the minds of people such as yourself, weisenbarth. The only way is through education. What do you or any other person supporting the use of this "mascot" lose? Is it a sense of superiority that you've felt so comfortable with; your birthright to exploit non-European cultures? Will our teams perform worse, now with Him gone? Give me a break. Grow up and mature your mind...come on. Peace.

Posted by hopefulpoet on November 14, 2008 at 12:55 AM | Suggest Removal