URBANA, Ill. Feb 16, 2007 (AP)— The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men's home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.
The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.
American Indian groups and others complained for years that the mascot, used since 1926, is demeaning. Supporters of the mascot say it honors the contributions of American Indians to Illinois.
Well, for what it's worth, I saw Chief Illiniwek perform at a few U of I football games some years ago and I would have to count myself a fan. But obviously some folks thought otherwise. So there ya go.
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