Illinois mascot's last dance no cause for celebration among students
University of Illinois' controversial mascot had his last dance Wednesday night.
/ Courtesy of AP GraphicsBank
CHAMPAIGN, ILL. (AP) -- CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Chief Illiniwek has performed his last dance as the University of Illinois mascot.
After 20 years of pressure from activists who found the University of Illinois mascot offensive, the school has retired the Indian chief and his antics.
In response to the school's decision, the NCAA has lifted sanctions that had barred Illinois from hosting postseason sports since 2005.
Since 1926, the Indian mascot had been portrayed by students who cavorted at home games in buckskin regalia. Grad student Dan Maloney portrayed the chief in his final appearance at Wednesday night's basketball game. Fighting back tears, Maloney says the demise of Illinwek is sad for him and for Illinois fans, who wore black T-shirts in a sign of mourning.
(Copyright ©2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
