URBANA, Ill., Feb. 16 (AP) — The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, after the last men’s home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The N.C.A.A. in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad mascot an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from being a host of postseason events. “This is an extremely emotional day for people on both sides of the issue, but the decision announced today ends a two-decade-long struggle surrounding Chief Illiniwek on this campus,” said Ron Guenther, the university’s athletic director. “Personally, as an alumnus and former athlete, I am disappointed. However, as an administrator, I understand the decision that had to be made.”
American Indian groups and others complained for years that the mascot was demeaning. Supporters of the mascot said it honored the contributions of Indians to the state.
On Friday, a Champaign County Circuit Court judge rejected two students’ request for a court order banning the university from “capitulating to the N.C.A.A. by announcing the retirement of Chief Illiniwek.”
