Chief Illiniwek is University of Illinois property and therefore the university has the legal right to regulate its use. In failing to do so the university is not only violating its own and perhaps NCAA policy, but it is setting precedent for future abuse of its property. Most importantly, the university administration has chosen not to exercise its freedom of speech and educate its students on why retiring Illiniwek was the right and moral thing to do. Such silence reflects a lack of leadership.

Stephen, while I respect your opinion, your legal analysis is incorrect. I suggest you research further before posting inaccurate information. While you’re at it, I would also suggest that you research the concept of freedom of speech. As I understand it, the students are organizing an event featuring the likeness of Chief Illiniwek, not the actual Chief. No property rights are being infringed upon. People are allowed to express their opinions, Stephen, even if they happen to not agree with your own Perhaps your opinion on what is “right and moral” is not shared by all. In fact, if you research the Chief debate a bit further, you will certainly find that the vast majority of students, faculty and alumni of the University of Illinois are in favor of the continued use of the Chief as the RESPECTED symbol of an amazing institution of higher learning. And, before you go holding the NCAA up as a watchdog of morality, riddle me this: if the NCAA is so opposed to the the “immoral” use of Native American imagery, why does the Florida State University Seminole continue as the mascot of that institution? Time to get off the high horse, Stephen. The air up there is quite thin, which likely explains your poor legal analysis below.

Well said Jen. It is common to hear the complaint that Stephen brings forward. The complaint usually comes from people outside the University of Illinois family. The Chief (had) been around since the early days of the University and was a symbol of RESPECT and PRIDE, not a mockery or mascot for the University. It is another case of people(NCAA) abusing their power, in a way of enforcing a rule that they have no understanding of. We do not parade the Chief around the court after hitting a big three, or make him do push ups and point his finger at the camera after scoring a touchdown. Instead we celebrate and honor the Chief and what he stands for, while singing the school song and watching as the Chief performs a ritual that dates far greater in years than you and I. The University of Illinois has and will not ever disgrace or deface the meaning behind Chief Illiniwek, he is a symbol of character, honor and strength, not only for the State of Illinois but the people of Illinois and the Fighting Illini.

Jen,

You are my hero–well said. We have Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians, and the Washington Redskins. Yes, I do know they are not collegiate but if we are going to ban racism, sexism, etc. let’s make a clean sweep. And the Seminoles of Florida enough said.
Anyone can rent out a public space if they violate no laws and celebrating this athletic/university symbol is not illegal at any state or federal level but an NCAA ruling for sanctioned events. This event is not one of those. As stated they are not making a profit by selling replicas of any sort or shape. That would violate the U of I property rights.
The NCAA can’t pick and choose who can keep their symbols and expect people to respect their decision.

Here is a few more candidates.

Alcorn State
Braves
Central Michigan
Chippewas
Florida State
Seminoles
Utah
Utes
Bradley
Braves
Arkansas State
Indians

Louisiana-Monroe
Indians
Other mascots in lower divisions: Catawba College (Indians), Midwestern State (Indians), Indiana University-Pennsylvania (Indians), Carthage College (Redmen), Chowan College (Braves), McMurry (Indians), Mississippi College (Choctaws), Newberry College (Indians), North Dakota (Fighting Sioux), Southeastern Oklahoma State (Savages

U of I should have just put the Chief in authentic Illini garb (there are enough paintings of Illini to figure out what that was, and no, it wasn’t fringed buckskins and a Sioux headdress) and continued to use him as an historically accurate Algonkian mascot.

I just discovered last week that a Billiken is actually Bat Boy in blue and white. EEEK!

I’d rather have an authentic Native American than a non-native Tiger as a school mascot any day of the week. Shouldn’t the Tiger (Truman the Tiger, no less, though the real Truman wasn’t personally that tigerish) be replaced by a cougar or mountain lion or a bobcat? At least they were native cats at one time.

I think they should have a “Dancing Sambo in Black Face” or “Schwartza Rabbi with an enourmous nose and locks”. All’s fair. If you’re going to make racism okay for one race, open it up for all. All or nothing!

Every day we sit through “Aw poor down trodden black man” or “Aw poor Jew doesn’t have all the shekels” meanwhile American Indians remain THE single most repressed race on Earth.

Professor Kaufman is incorrect, you’re right Jen. Yet what we didn’t examine is that whether or not this is a likeness of Chief Illiniwek or the legitimate deal, the University abandoned their intellectual property of the dance and likeness of Chief Illiniwek with the Board of Trustees resolution passed (with the encouragement of Dr. Kaufman) at the March 13, 2007 BOT meeting. The resolutions stating that they wish to end the use of the Chief Illiniwek is nearly a perfect textbook example of an “intent to abandon”.

If Doctor Kaufman is so quick to say that the UI’s legal rights have been infringed upon, perhaps he should consult UI legal counsel.

I miss the Chief.

Stephen Kaufman is clueless on so many levels. Jen made many points eloquently. I attended The Next Dance on 11/15/2008, and it was a wonderful and respectful presentation given by compassionate caring individuals. Anyone not in attendance of the event is in no position to criticize it. There seemed to be one heckler in the audience of over 10,000, and that person was the only disrespectful person in attendance, which speaks volumes as to that persons character. Congratulations to Logan Ponce and the supporting group for putting The Next Dance on. These people, are not the problem. The heckler sure had better be doing more important things with his time, or God help his soul. I sure hope the heckler was not Stephen Kaufman. If it was, I pray for him to get some wisdom.