RIP: Chief Illiniwek

[tigershoops31]

I had Professor Blumenfeild too, htown!! Small world er.. campus.

Warren stinks! I always pictured him running through Lago and running into a Christmas tree, screaming like a little girl and running in the other direction, only to get tangled up in Christmas lights and tinsle. He shrieks and tears around the corner, only to plow into a menangerie at full speed and gets tripped up. He sobs uncontrollably as he stays down trying to get away from the horrible Christmas monsters. That would be a sucky perspective on life to have.

[Skyh13]

It's ridiculous! From what I've read and heard in the past, the Illiniwek tribe had no problem with this mascot and wanted it kept. So, it was basically the PC and holier than thou crowd in the NCAA that said he still has to go. I think it's just one more step in the weeniefication of the country.

Exactly!! I've heard the same thing. When is it one group's right to tell another group to be offended?? Seriously!!! Gosh d****t, I can't believe they finally did it. I'm sorry, but this pisses me off so much.... I'm a long resident of Illinois, and NOBODY has a problem with the situation! Why is there this constant catering to the vocal EXTREME minority? GRRR!!

Well, here we go, continually flushing sensibility down the drain. Political Correctness will be the end of this society as we know it, because ONLY the minority have a say when it comes to that.

[htownclone]

This is also why I'm a strong advocate for "equal rights for straight white males" Coincidentally, it will also be my political platform when I run for president in 2012

[Skyh13]

This is also why I'm a strong advocate for "equal rights for straight white males" Coincidentally, it will also be my political platform when I run for president in 2012

Lol

Which reminds me of the huge buzz over the media when some student group at an Ivy League school made a scholarship for white males or something of the sort... Everyone said it was racist. And yet, when there's a scholarship made for one race OTHER than Caucasian, its not racism at all.... *sigh*, what a double standard. I don't see why they just can't offer scholarship for those in financial need, rather than doing racial profiling in order to determine need. THAT is racism.

Anyway, I say good luck to the students in the lawsuit. I hope this works out, because doing away with this is a HUGE slippery slope. As soon as one goes, say goodbye to the rest. Granted, pro teams might be okay as long as the people with the money think it's fine. Colleges, though, don't stand a chance.

[wonkadog]

(proudly puts up "htownclone for President 2012" sign in his front yard)

[Cyclone62]

Don't forget your "Cy for Secretary of Defense" sign!

[wonkadog]

and my "Herky's feathers for Cy's toilet paper" one. :)

[Cyphor]

I think it's terrible. My mom is an Illini alum and is pretty passionate about this tradition. Apparently the native americans have supported this tradition and they don't make a mockery out of it. It's a very serious and honored tradition at Illinois and it's a shame to see it go. What next, are they going to make us rename the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskings, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, etc?

As a Redskins fan I'm beggin' for a name change. Sheesh! Redskins how derogitroy could you get (the scalpers maybe?). It's hight time for a change. I feel sorry saying I'm a Redskins fan. I usually try to say "I root for Washington."

[Cyphor]

Where does this end? The state name Illinois is a native american name. Should it be replaced? How about Iowa? Should I be upset that Dallas has the nickname the Cowboys? Will PETA come after the bears, lions, or seahawks? I don't think of teams nicknames as being disrespectful but a source of pride for a group of students and fans.

Native Americans have been demonized for centuries as unintelligent savages so how can you blame them for wanting to shed this image? It’s their tribe and their name. If they don’t like being represented in a certain way why should we say no?

I can’t believe how many people cry over their sports teams when they have to change their names to something less controversial. Its sports, who cares what you team is called; they are still the same.

[chadm]

Native Americans have been demonized for centuries as unintelligent savages so how can you blame them for wanting to shed this image? It’s their tribe and their name. If they don’t like being represented in a certain way why should we say no?

The question is what happens when only a minority of their group wants it changed and the majority is proud that this represents their heritage.

[flander1649]

As a Redskins fan I'm beggin' for a name change. Sheesh! Redskins how derogitroy could you get (the scalpers maybe?). It's hight time for a change. I feel sorry saying I'm a Redskins fan. I usually try to say "I root for Washington."

My highschool mascot is the Savages that is pretty bad and they haven't had to change yet.

Also on the topic of natural disasters I remember in the 05' season one of the guys on ESPN (I think Holtz) talking about how it is a terrible thing that a school has a natural disaster as a mascot and how they should have to change their names.

[cyingreen]

[QUOTE=DaddyMac;88318]Well I'm sure we can rehash the irony that is the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, and not allowing the Illinois mascot to come to Ia City.

I agree, DaddyM. Where are the PC types in Iowa City when you need them? After all. didn't Hawkeye kill Indians, er Native Americans, er those folks that crossed the Bering strait land bridge during an ice age? Is Herky an endangered species? Or will his bird disguise save him?

[Wesley]

Yes Sioux City Morningside used to be the Morningside Cheifs and now they are the Mustangs. It was tough and alot of the Alumni were irritated.

And just what about the poor defames animals asosicated with schools. Is not PETA going to say Mustangs are being abused. The safest names are inanimate objects like Morningside Pencil Heads or the Doan Dirtclods. We are worrying about nother. More Moiuntain out of Molehills NCAA style. Lucky for us we are Cyclones. We are safe for forty more years.

[DaddyMac]

Actually, isn't Hawkeye in reference to a Chief Black Hawk?

So how is Iowa any different than the schools they won't compete against like Bradley and such? Their mascot is of Native American origin. Oops can I say Iowa? That's a ice-bridge_crosser reference too. Oh dear - I said it again..... The Knights who say Nee, have spoken...

Either way, the point stands.

Yet another case of the "Do as I say, not as I do" mentality.

[C.John]

Actually, isn't Hawkeye in reference to a Chief Black Hawk?

The Hawkeye State: This popular nickname for the state of Iowa is said to have come from the scout, Hawkeye, in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, published in 1826. According to the Iowa State web site, "Two Iowa promoters from Burlington are believed to have popularized the name." The nickname was given approval by "territorial officials" in 1838, twelve years after the book was published and eight years before Iowa became a state.
The two men responsible for the promotion of this nickname are thought to be Judge David Rorer of Burlington and the newspaper publisher, James G. Edwards of Fort Madison and, later, Burlington. Burlington had been established in 1833 after the Black Hawk War of 1832. Mr. Edwards changed the name of his Burlington newspaper, The Iowa Patriot, to The Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot in tribute to his friend Chief Black Hawk. Judge Rorer is said to have suggested "The Hawkeye State" after finding the name in The Last of the Mohicans while Mr. Edwards proposed the nickname "Hawk-eyes" in 1838 to "...rescue from oblivian [sic] a momento [sic], at least of the name of the old chief," Black Hawk.



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