May 03--Having banned Chief Illiniwek in 2007 amid protests and in response to an NCAA edict, Illinois will select a new mascot for the university, interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson announced Monday.
The university is not changing the Fighting Illini nickname for its sports teams.
Wilson said in a statement she plans to appoint a steering committee of 10 to 12 people, including representatives from "various stakeholder groups," to begin the selection process. The student senate had formed a committee to explore the possibility of selecting a mascot and voted 28-2-1 to "move forward."
"I am optimistic that this initiative will help build school spirit and loyalty beyond athletics," Wilson said in the statement.
The university is describing the future mascot as the "first ever" for the school, preferring to refer to Chief Illiniwek as a symbol. The NCAA did not see a distinction in 2005 when it included Illinois on a list of universities that had to do away with their Native American mascots or potentially face punishments such as not being allowed to host postseason play.
The Chief remains a divisive figure, with many fans and alumni longing for its return and Native American groups and their supporters criticizing it as an out-of-date and offensive stereotype.
Selecting a new mascot is a way for the university to move forward, said Jay Rosenstein, an Illinois professor of media and cinema studies who produced the 1997 documentary "In Whose Honor?" about Native American mascots.
"I think it's great," Rosenstein told the Tribune. "I'm hoping it creates a new beginning for both the university and its athletic program. There will still be a great many people upset and bitter and who will complain. Plenty will complain no matter what the mascot is. I don't know that it will necessarily heal the past, but it can create a new energy."
Selected students continue to wear Chief regalia and perform in the stands at games without the consent of the university.
Omar Cruz, a junior from Chicago who portrays the Chief, said the idea of selecting a representation for the university other than the Chief is a "slap in the face." He said groups such as the Council of Chiefs and Students for Chief Illiniwek will continue to work to bring back the Chief in an official capacity.
"We're not going to stop," Cruz told the Tribune. "We're going to keep appearing at football and basketball games. (The decision) felt rushed. In previous times (when a new mascot was discussed), it's been 75 to 80 percent saying they wanted the Chief or no mascot."
sryan@tribpub.com
