How ‘Brave’ Are They?

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Recommended: Should the use of Native American-themed mascots be banned

Thus far, the game had not been an entertaining one to watch. At halftime, the score was 23-19, with Illinois over Michigan. Truth be told, the game itself was not even the main attraction on February 27, 2007. It had taken a back stage seat to the half-time show. This was the day Chief Illiniwek, the University of Illinois' mascot for eighty-one years, would be officially retired by the University due to pressure from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Dan Maloney, a graduate student at the school, strode to mid-court one final time. Dressed in a buckskin outfit and a feather headdress, the Chief performed for the last time. As Maloney left the court, tears started to well up in his eyes. A part of him had just died. Chief Illiniwek received a standing ovation from the crowd as he left the court. Straying from tradition, Maloney went back out to mid-court to acknowledge the fans. He then turned around and left the court, and Chief Illiniwek has not performed since.

Over the past six to seven years the NCAA has been cracking down on what they feel are controversial nicknames and mascots used by member universities. The University of Illinois was one of these schools. For twenty years the school had received complaints about the use of Chief Illiniwek. Finally the NCAA stepped in and ruled the use of Chief Illiniwek and the Chief Illiniwek mascot hostile and abusive. Illinois was to quit the use of the two or be banned from hosting postseason activities as long as continued the use of the mascot and symbol. After two years trying to fight it, Illinois finally gave in and retired the Chief and quit the use of the logo. On the day he was retired, students donned black shirts during the second half of...

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...hing. These are offensive uses of the Native American name. Many tribes over the country dislike the use of these names and, to me, this is where the main problem lies. However, schools are never going to go this extra step to keep their names. I feel it would be a huge wake-up call to these schools if the NCAA were to force them to not only receive permission, but also have a working relationship with these tribes.

Works Cited

Badger, Emily. “NCAA Puts Limited Ban on American Indian Team Names, Mascots.” Orlando Sentinel (Orlando FL). Aug. 5 2005: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 28 March 2011.

Kolpack, Dave. “Sioux or Be Sued? School Loses Its Mascot.” Los Angeles Time (Los Angeles CA). 12 Dec 2010: A.42. SIRS Researcher. Web. 24 Mar 2011.

Wieburg, Steve. “NCAA Ponders Future of Indian Nicknames.” USA Today. 15 May 2005: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 28 Mar 2011.

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