2008 Woodie Awards
Illini Media
WPGU
buzz
Illio
TechnographAlumni, former Chiefs react to impending retirement
End of 80-year tradition spurs outrage from some, approval from others
By Kathleen Foody
Posted: 2/19/07 Section: News
For more than 80 years, University students and alumni have experienced the portrayal of Chief Illiniwek at Illini sporting events.
But controversy over the issue has also become a common experience for University students since anti-Chief protests occurred on campus in 1989.
Friday's announcement of the Chief's retirement has stirred emotions in alumni with various opinions on the issue.
Gabriel Lopez-Walle currently works as a consultant for the University and graduated in 1996 with a master's degree in computer science.
"I personally was ... against everything, so I am happy about it," he said. "I think that it took forever, but nobody wanted to say, 'I am retiring it,' so they waited until somebody had to put pressure on them."
Others are saddened by the decision, including Troy Rendleman, a 1989 graduate in speech communication.
"I've seen the Chief for a long time," Rendleman said. "I hope that they'll fight it, but I don't know."
Rendleman said he plans to watch the Chief's last dance at Wednesday night's men's basketball game.
"We'll be there chanting, 'Save the Chief,'" he said.
Vanessa Faurie, vice president of communications for the University Alumni Association, said the office has heard from alumni expressing their concerns since the news came in.
"The ones we're hearing from are disappointed," she said. "But most alumni understand that the Board of Trustees had no other resource if University athletes wanted to play in important games held by the NCAA."
Perhaps the most visible group of alumni is the current and former portrayers of Chief Illiniwek.
Tom Livingston of LaGrange, Ill., portrayed the Chief from 1988 to 1989. Livingston said Friday was a bittersweet day for the group of men who have worked to preserve the symbol for 80 years.
"There's going to be a void if the Chief isn't there," he said. "We're going to have to find the best way to fill that void. We'd like to help if we can."
But controversy over the issue has also become a common experience for University students since anti-Chief protests occurred on campus in 1989.
Friday's announcement of the Chief's retirement has stirred emotions in alumni with various opinions on the issue.
Gabriel Lopez-Walle currently works as a consultant for the University and graduated in 1996 with a master's degree in computer science.
"I personally was ... against everything, so I am happy about it," he said. "I think that it took forever, but nobody wanted to say, 'I am retiring it,' so they waited until somebody had to put pressure on them."
Others are saddened by the decision, including Troy Rendleman, a 1989 graduate in speech communication.
"I've seen the Chief for a long time," Rendleman said. "I hope that they'll fight it, but I don't know."
Rendleman said he plans to watch the Chief's last dance at Wednesday night's men's basketball game.
"We'll be there chanting, 'Save the Chief,'" he said.
Vanessa Faurie, vice president of communications for the University Alumni Association, said the office has heard from alumni expressing their concerns since the news came in.
"The ones we're hearing from are disappointed," she said. "But most alumni understand that the Board of Trustees had no other resource if University athletes wanted to play in important games held by the NCAA."
Perhaps the most visible group of alumni is the current and former portrayers of Chief Illiniwek.
Tom Livingston of LaGrange, Ill., portrayed the Chief from 1988 to 1989. Livingston said Friday was a bittersweet day for the group of men who have worked to preserve the symbol for 80 years.
"There's going to be a void if the Chief isn't there," he said. "We're going to have to find the best way to fill that void. We'd like to help if we can."
The Daily Illini encourages on-topic discussion through article commenting on its articles and blogs. It is our policy not to delete any comments based upon political or ideological point of view. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are abusive, off-topic or use excessive foul language.
The posting of copyrighted material, including any and all content for which you are not the author, is illegal under Federal intellectual property laws. Such activity will not be tolerated. Comments containing copyrighted material will be removed, and continued violation of copyright law is grounds for being banned completely from commenting on DailyIllini.com.
If you feel any post meets these conditions or merits review, please e-mail our editors at meonline@dailyillini.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
upbeatdad
RegularGuy
posted 2/19/07 @ 10:53 AM CST
The comments from the UIAA should be taken with a grain of salt. I mailed my Alumni Association Life Membership card back to them today, after calling them on Friday to voice my anger. (Continued…)
Alumni 79
posted 2/19/07 @ 7:05 PM CST
I usually give the university $1k every year but no more. They caved in for monetary reasons to hold post season games. NO Chief! NO Money!
David Velarde Jr.
posted 2/20/07 @ 10:33 AM CST
Thank the Creator for political correctness, now maybe other institutions like Florida State Seminoles and the University of Utah Utes will change their stupid mascots. (Continued…)
Don Wills
posted 2/21/07 @ 10:02 PM CST
I also notified the UIAA that I resigned my life membership today.
Don Wills
UIUC, '73
Post a Comment