November 14, 2005

NCAA Rejects U of I's Appeal Regarding "Chief Illiniwek"

 

The Progressive Resource/Action Cooperative (PRC), who has been fighting for the elimination of “Chief Illiniwek” since 1989, commends the National Collegiate Athletic Association on their rejection of U of I’s attempt to get “Chief Illiniwek” taken off of the banned mascots list. On Friday, November 11th, the NCAA reaffirmed the inappropriate and outdated nature of race-based mascots like the “Chief” when they announced their decision regarding the University of Illinois.

In a statement issued by Senior Vice President for Governance and Membership, Bernard Franklin, wrote, "The NCAA staff review committee has retained the University of Illinois, Champaign on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships. In its review of the particular circumstances regarding Illinois, the NCAA staff review committee found no new information relative to the mascot, known as ‘Chief Illiniwek’ or the logo mark used by some athletics teams that depicts a Native American in feathered headdress, to remove the university from the list.” Several other universities placed on this list have also lost their appeals, including the University of North Dakota and Bradley University.

However, the NCAA did decide that the University of Illinois may continue to use the term “Fighting Illini” because they feel it is “closely related to the name of the state and not directly associated with Native Americans.” In a guest commentary featured in The News-Gazette, UI History Professors Hoxie and Roediger wrote, “Soon after the student newspaper changed its name to the ‘Illini’ in 1874, university clubs arose named ‘Sachem’ and ‘Ma-wan-da’ and their members held ceremonies in which white students wrapped themselves in blankets and smoked ‘peace pipes.’ Early 20th-century athletic teams were often referred to as ‘Indians,’ and in 1914 an association of athletes was created called ‘The Tribe of the Illini’.”

Although the term “Illini” was first used to refer to the university’s newspaper in 1874, it was quickly used in context with “Indians,” “Illini tribesmen,” “braves,” “warriors” and other terms that connected U of I’s athletics to a fascination with American Indians. This connection was well established before the campaign to build Memorial Stadium and by the time “Chief Illiniwek” was created in 1926 (source: The Illio). Historical evidence makes it quite clear that the use of the term “Fighting Illini” is not and cannot be separated from the use of the “Chief” or from American Indian references in general.

Despite that, the NCAA rejection of the University of Illinois’ appeal is a victory for the anti-“Chief” movement and all movements fighting for the elimination of race-based mascots. This decision reaffirms the statements of countless student and community organizations, university departments, and Native American organizations that have spoken out against “Chief Illiniwek” and other race-based mascots.

Upon hearing the results of the appeal, Jen Tayabji, co-coordinator of the PRC, commented, “We are pleased with the NCAA’s decision regarding Illinois’ appeal. We applaud them for standing up against mascots like ‘Chief Illiniwek.’ But we also hope they will re-evaluate the appropriateness of U of I’s use of the term ‘Fighting Illini.’ Most importantly, we call on the U of I Board of Trustees to take heed of this decision and stop using meaningless resolutions to stall the inevitable end for the ‘Chief’--eliminate ‘Chief Illiniwek’ in its entirety immediately.”

PRC's Press Release (11/14/05)

NCAA Rejects U of I's Policy Appeal (The News-Gazette)

NCAA Won't Allow Illinois Mascot (USA Today)

NCAA Statement by Senior Vice President for Gov ernance and Membership Bernard Franlin