The video above is of Chief Illiniwek, the symbol of the University of Illinois, performing the traditional dance at half time of a football game earlier this fall. After each half time show by the Marching Illini, the band would form into 4 long lines and then start the "3 in 1". It's a series of 3 songs in a row without a break in between. You'll hear the band start to sing the first song. It's a cheer based on the Illinois Song. Then while playing the same song with their instruments, the band marches towards the north end zone, collapses the formation, then at the start of the Chief's dance marches back down the field forming giant letters that spell out "ILLINI". You'll see in the video that while this is happening the Chief comes out, sneaks through the band, then at the start of the dance bursts out and starts his dance down the entire field, then goes back to the 50 yard line. There he raises his arms and the band and all the fans in the stadium join in singing "Hail to the Chief". Then the Chief repeats his dance in the middle of the field. At the end of the dance the Chief folds his arms and walks off the field.

I'm posting this now because February 21st, at the home basketball game half time show in Champaign, the Chief danced for the last time. Since 1926 the Chief has represented the University's heart and sole and has always been treated with the utmost respect. Not a mascot, the Chief only came out at half time for his dance. Native Americans made the Chief's costume and presented it to the University during a football half time. I was a member of the Marching Illini from 1981-1984 and was on the field as part of the band during the presentation ceremony. Native Americans have been among those who've portrayed the Chief over the years.

Since the late '80s some have complained that the Chief is a racist mascot and offensive to Native Americans. This certainly applies to many mascots, even most; my High School's "Purple Raiders" represented by an Indian head needed to go and has been exchanged for a different mascot. But Chief Illiniwek; whose dance is based on Native American dance and whose costume is authentic, never led cheers, never cavorted in the stands, didn't pose for pictures with fans; only acted with dignity, was only treated with respect. It's true the University could've handled the whole issue better. It should have aggressively developed a Native American Studies program from the beginning. And some of the university representatives who defended the Chief acted more like they were defending their right to beer instead of representing the Chief. But I think taking a respected Native American Symbol out of the public's eye is more detrimental than helpful.

After staunchly defending the Chief for many years, the University of Illinois, under sanctions from the NCAA that don't allow any post season games to be held in Champaign while the Chief exists, finally decided their best interests would be served by retiring the Chief. Under these conditions I agree with the University's decision. I just disagree with the NCAA's misguided interference.

The video below is of the Chief's final performance. It starts out with some clips of past portrayals of the Chief. One of them you'll see is of a Native American woman who was the Chief during World War II.