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TechnographIlliniwek appeal denied
NCAA: 'Illini', 'Fighting Illini' not offensive
By Courtney Linehan
Posted: 11/14/05 Section: News
"Obviously, the University and the Board of Trustees felt institutional autonomy and self-determination are a major reason for the institution to be exempt from the list," Hardy said. "It is apparent by its response that the NCAA wasn't persuaded by that argument yet, as they had minimal response to that in their decision announced Friday."
Board Chairman Lawrence Eppley said in a press release that he is grateful the NCAA agreed with the University that "Illini" is a term derived from the name of the state and is not a reference to the people who once lived here.
"I am pleased the NCAA recognized what we've maintained all along," Eppley said. "'Illini' is taken from the name of our patron state and 'Fighting Illini' refers to our University's winning spirit and drive to excel."
Hardy said the official response sent to the University addressed the 1995 U.S. Office of Civil Rights finding that Chief Illiniwek did not create a hostile environment on campus. He said the NCAA cited anecdotal evidence suggesting there have been instances of hostility since then, but he added that the University recently began a faculty-led inquest into whether Chief Illiniwek affects students' educations.
"It's a bit of a head scratcher when you consider that the Office of Civil Rights is an entire agency to ensure the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act," Hardy said. "They came in, spent time on campus, talked to a lot of people and watched Chief Illiniwek perform."
Franklin's statement said the NCAA's decision was based on the staff review committee's own research, discussions with relevant American Indian groups and information provided by the University.
While the NCAA release did not provide further detail, John Froman, chief of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, said the NCAA did contact him. The Peoria are the descendents of members of the "Illiniwek" confederation.
Froman said he told the NCAA that the term "Illini" was not a part of the Peoria language, and that his tribe was never called the Illini. He said the NCAA asked if he'd had recent contact with the University regarding the Chief, and what the tribe's official position regarding Chief Illiniwek was.
Board Chairman Lawrence Eppley said in a press release that he is grateful the NCAA agreed with the University that "Illini" is a term derived from the name of the state and is not a reference to the people who once lived here.
"I am pleased the NCAA recognized what we've maintained all along," Eppley said. "'Illini' is taken from the name of our patron state and 'Fighting Illini' refers to our University's winning spirit and drive to excel."
Hardy said the official response sent to the University addressed the 1995 U.S. Office of Civil Rights finding that Chief Illiniwek did not create a hostile environment on campus. He said the NCAA cited anecdotal evidence suggesting there have been instances of hostility since then, but he added that the University recently began a faculty-led inquest into whether Chief Illiniwek affects students' educations.
"It's a bit of a head scratcher when you consider that the Office of Civil Rights is an entire agency to ensure the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act," Hardy said. "They came in, spent time on campus, talked to a lot of people and watched Chief Illiniwek perform."
Franklin's statement said the NCAA's decision was based on the staff review committee's own research, discussions with relevant American Indian groups and information provided by the University.
While the NCAA release did not provide further detail, John Froman, chief of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, said the NCAA did contact him. The Peoria are the descendents of members of the "Illiniwek" confederation.
Froman said he told the NCAA that the term "Illini" was not a part of the Peoria language, and that his tribe was never called the Illini. He said the NCAA asked if he'd had recent contact with the University regarding the Chief, and what the tribe's official position regarding Chief Illiniwek was.
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