Chief Illiniwek to be retired today

[Da Coach]

After years of fighting the NCAA, Illinois is reportedly to announce today that Chief Illiniwek will be retired.

"Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence Eppley intends to single-handedly retire Chief Illiniwek Friday under pressure from Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones."

http://media.www.dailyillini.com/media/storage/paper736/news/2007/02/16/News/Sources.University.To.Retire.The.Chief.Friday-2724408.shtml

[MacabreMob]

Very interesting...

So will this allow them to host post-season events?

But then again, the article says this move comes a day after a lawsuit "against the NCAA and the University to prevent the NCAA from enforcing sanctions against the University. The suit aims to prevent the University from retiring the Chief. The hearing on the suit is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.

Should the court issue an injunction, the University will be prohibited from putting the plans to retire the Chief in motion."

Wonder if there is gonna be some influence to stop the lawsuit.

[lake Camelot]

I think they might want to host a NIT game.

[MacabreMob]

I think they might want to host a NIT game.

Honestly, I think it is a wise decision on their part.

I think it is more important to want to host 3 games for the revenue.

And then also maybe avoid having to play at another in-state school.

[squirrel]

Very interesting...

So will this allow them to host post-season events?

But then again, the article says this move comes a day after a lawsuit "against the NCAA and the University to prevent the NCAA from enforcing sanctions against the University. The suit aims to prevent the University from retiring the Chief. The hearing on the suit is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday.

Should the court issue an injunction, the University will be prohibited from putting the plans to retire the Chief in motion."

Wonder if there is gonna be some influence to stop the lawsuit.

Yes. . .the retirement allows the Illini to host. Yes, an injunction also allows the Illini to host and also forces the NCAA to back off just a little longer.

I'm sure the suit is being backed by an inside source, so I will be surprised if there is pressure to back off. IMO--and I'm no legal expert, but I am a thinker--this whole thing is just to buy more time.

[IlliBraves]

This makes me very upset. Illiniwek is a symbol and tradition of the University of Illinois, and what the fact that the University is not willing to fight what the politically correct left has to say is a disgrace. I hope those students win their lawsuit, and in turn get a big settlement from the University.

[MacabreMob]

This makes me very upset. Illiniwek is a symbol and tradition of the University of Illinois, and what the fact that the University is not willing to fight what the politically correct left has to say is a disgrace. I hope those students win their lawsuit, and in turn get a big settlement from the University.

IlliB - You need to understand the Liberal Left controls many colleges and universities. So why would the University fight against the Leftist opinions that those in charge at the University believe in?

[Grassman]

This has become a country of "Squeaking wheels getting their grease" and minority RULES!
In other words GUTLESS!

[MacabreMob]

This has become a country of "Squeaking wheels getting their grease" and minority RULES!
In other words GUTLESS!

How DARE you say that you insensitive right-wing pig!



(btw - before you even try and go there, 'freedom of speech' is ok only until a conservative point of view is brought up... then the speaker of that point of view is considered a racist/bigot/insensitive/uneducated/uninformed/etc)

[MacabreMob]

IMO--and I'm no legal expert, but I am a thinker--this whole thing is just to buy more time.

I just wanted to say - Good for you! Big thumbs up - you are a 'thinker'.

And being a 'thinker'... do you still 'think' NW'rn is a SOLID NIT team?

[IlliBraves]

I will fight liberalism to the death! Do you know how hard it has been selecting a 'conservative' school to seek a political science degree? For anyone interested, or who has facebook, feel welcome to join the group "Save Chief Illiniwek".

Perhaps the name of our state should be changed; It is derived from the word "indian".

[BI_Brave_alum]

It's about time this happened. No longer need to have white kids from the suburbs portraying a native american.

[Murph]

It's about time this happened. No longer need to have white kids from the suburbs portraying a native american.

Especially ones with blond hair and blue eyes.

[lake Camelot]

It's about time this happened. No longer need to have white kids from the suburbs portraying a native american.

Well, I still will never get it. But I guess it is over now and I really shouldn't care that much ( It doesn't effect me). But I have never
seen any disrespect from the Chief or Illini tradition.

[IlliBraves]

If this was a disrespectful portrayal of Indians (Yes, Indians, I refuse to use assinine politically correct terms), then the state should be renamed.