New Illini Mascot?

illynifan34 · Aug 2, 2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinicb

You could throw cheerleaders into the extinct category too (sorry those of you that are or were cheerleaders).

*insert hot cheerleader picture here*

chiefhaunting · Aug 2, 2012, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzaman

The chief still is the symbolic leader of the UI. He just can't be allowed to attend football and basketball games or have his visage on clothes because the NCAA will penalize the university.

I still believe all the PC righteousness will disappear when everything offends somebody and nothing can be used without someone being upset. We're pretty close now. I just hope I'm alive when the chief is roaming the sidelines again.

I know it borders on insanity, but I believe the invisible chief still dances at halftime. JMO

Maybe we're both insane pizzaman, but I KNOW the chief still dances at halftime. Gives me chills. Like we are standing on sacred ground and it doesn't matter that the NCAA killed the chief, he still dances, albeit it's now his ghost.

CaptainHindsight · Aug 2, 2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefhaunting

Maybe we're both insane pizzaman, but I KNOW the chief still dances at halftime. Gives me chills. Like we are standing on sacred ground and it doesn't matter that the NCAA killed the chief, he still dances, albeit it's now his ghost.

+60,670
or
+16,618

ijustkrushalot · Aug 15, 2012, 08:55 PM

https://twitter.com/TeamVulture

Larken24 · Aug 15, 2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijustkrushalot

+1!!!!

IlliniRunIn07 · Aug 16, 2012, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijustkrushalot

This is incredible!

TheChiefRises · Aug 16, 2012, 10:48 AM

Not too impressive. Just dyed orange.

U of I 89-05-10 · Aug 16, 2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

Not too impressive. Just dyed orange.

And the addition of the vulture...... :rolleyes:

bigtiny · Aug 16, 2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U of I 89-05-10

And the addition of the vulture...... :rolleyes:

I have long thought that something conjuring up Honest Abe was what we needed to make a clean break from the Chief. (Chief fan here for disclosure - but aware enough to recognize that the lingering controversy has hurt us all.)

I don't know how it could play out - a top hat?, a log cabin?, something.... But Lincoln remains one of the most vaunted historical figures in world history. The University of Illinois needs to play that up more.

BZuppke · Aug 16, 2012, 12:44 PM

I would like us to have a new mascot, but there are only a few ways it can come off and be well received. First, it can't be some Bucky Badger caricature type of thing. It would be ridiculed and rejected. Plus we're best known for corn and soybeans and Neb has the cornhusker guy and I wouldn't quite know how a soybean plant would be portrayed (a large seed pod?). It can't have any Native American connection. Abe Lincoln is a great historic figure associated with Illinois and specifically Central Illinois, however, a student dressed as Abe wouldn't work as Abe jumping up and down and cheering would just be the opposite of the dignified Abe we know from history. It would be great if a new mascot presented itself organically rather than being manufactured from above. That hasn't happenned. So what are we left with? People have suggested a WWI doughboy. Again, hard to see him jumping up and down and retaining the dignity of the Illini who lost their lives "over there".

I've come to the conclusion that only a live animal will do. Like the Colorado Buffalo, Georgia Bulldog or Bevo, it would be what it is. Again, the problem here is how do you randomly pick an animal and also ensure that it doesn't upset the animal rights people. A farm animal would probably be most appropriate but which one? A steer? Hog? Another choice would be to go the wild animal route with a Red Tail Hawk (very common in Illinois), but then you're sure to run into protests from animal rights groups and the Hawkeyes already have the Hawk idea.

Going back to Lincoln, what if you had him in his rail splitting days and at half time have him actually split a rail or piece of firewood? All too corny?

TheChiefRises · Aug 16, 2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZuppke

I would like us to have a new mascot, but there are only a few ways it can come off and be well received. First, it can't be some Bucky Badger caricature type of thing. It would be ridiculed and rejected. Plus we're best known for corn and soybeans and Neb has the cornhusker guy and I wouldn't quite know how a soybean plant would be portrayed (a large seed pod?). It can't have any Native American connection. Abe Lincoln is a great historic figure associated with Illinois and specifically Central Illinois, however, a student dressed as Abe wouldn't work as Abe jumping up and down and cheering would just be the opposite of the dignified Abe we know from history. It would be great if a new mascot presented itself organically rather than being manufactured from above. That hasn't happenned. So what are we left with? People have suggested a WWI doughboy. Again, hard to see him jumping up and down and retaining the dignity of the Illini who lost their lives "over there".

I've come to the conclusion that only a live animal will do. Like the Colorado Buffalo, Georgia Bulldog or Bevo, it would be what it is. Again, the problem here is how do you randomly pick an animal and also ensure that it doesn't upset the animal rights people. A farm animal would probably be most appropriate but which one? A steer? Hog? Another choice would be to go the wild animal route with a Red Tail Hawk (very common in Illinois), but then you're sure to run into protests from animal rights groups and the Hawkeyes already have the Hawk idea.

Going back to Lincoln, what if you had him in his rail splitting days and at half time have him actually split a rail or piece of firewood? All too corny?

Chief or bust.

bigtiny · Aug 16, 2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZuppke

Going back to Lincoln, what if you had him in his rail splitting days and at half time have him actually split a rail or piece of firewood? All too corny?

It would take some work, but I could see something like that sort of working. Maybe a tad corny, but in the way game day stuff needs to be a bit corny.

Logos could conjure up the Lincoln Memorial in DC - maybe an abstract image that is suggestive of Lincoln in his chair. (below)

I think something-Abe is the only thing that would resonate strongly enough to avoid the push back that any animal or random thing will inevitably receive.

Big Jack · Aug 16, 2012, 04:18 PM

I think we should hire Mike Tyson to be the Fighting Illini.. Dress him in an orange Kool Aid jug and let him parade a tiger around..

Pretty stupid right? So is any other option or suggestion that does not include the chief.. End of the story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

saleen970 · Aug 16, 2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

Chief or bust.

+1

I dont think I can stomach a cheezy Mascot!

ijustkrushalot · Aug 16, 2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

Chief or bust.

well then bust, which is frankly fine with me.

jackman404 · Aug 16, 2012, 06:22 PM

Was Lincoln even alive when U of I was founded? I know he was a great historical figure and all, but he does he have ANY ties to the school? Not sure using a former president as a mascot is great idea anyway...

The TeamVulture thing is awesome though.

Noday · Aug 16, 2012, 06:27 PM

I wish I could put an Illini I inplace of the cross in the case.

The moon behind his head actually reminds me of the Chief's headdress.

Noday · Aug 16, 2012, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackman404

Was Lincoln even alive when U of I was founded? I know he was a great historical figure and all, but he does he have ANY ties to the school? Not sure using a former president as a mascot is great idea anyway...

The TeamVulture thing is awesome though.

And the Chief was UI's first student? UI is in and represents the land of Lincoln/Illini nation.

unimaroon · Aug 16, 2012, 06:48 PM

An American Indian symbol may not be impossible, but it would have to be representative of the Mississippian culture that flourished here and not be a caricature Lakota Sioux war party leader from Montana. Giving the Cahokia mound builders the recognition they deserve could reflect well on everyone, especially our favorite institution devoted to high standards in education. Provided no one objects, of course. Oskee-wow-wow and cha-he-cha-ha-cha-ha-ha-ha indeed.

Noday · Aug 16, 2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheChiefRises

Not too impressive. Just dyed orange.

It would look better if somebody can add the chief within the moon and put Abe in a Blue suit and hat with an orange hankerchief, tie and orange ribbon thing that goes around the hat.

IlliniX · Aug 16, 2012, 08:20 PM

I prefer one of vultures picking at the carcass of a lion.

http://prints-4-u.com/store/images/N...391875517T.jpg

Thacher_H_Guild · Aug 16, 2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackman404

Was Lincoln even alive when U of I was founded? I know he was a great historical figure and all, but he does he have ANY ties to the school? Not sure using a former president as a mascot is great idea anyway....

Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law in 1862. The University of Illinois became and is one of the very best institutions that resulted from that act. This is kind of a bit deal. http://morrillact.illinois.edu/

Throw in the fact that Lincoln practiced in Central Illinois (including sometimes in Urbana as part of his circuit court days), and there is no doubt that Lincoln is an important part of the history of Urbana and the University of Illinois. It's not his fault somebody shot him before the U of IL actually got off the ground.

If people don't want to use him as a mascot, how about as an honored symbol?

Dan · Aug 16, 2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijustkrushalot

https://twitter.com/TeamVulture

Fantastic

4Cheef · Aug 16, 2012, 09:27 PM

The only mascot/symbol Illinois should EVER have is the Chief. If he cannot be brought back, we should have none at all. A large mural on the side of the stadium based on this:

would be cool. With a ghosted image of chief, instead of a microphone, and images of Grange and other historic players standing with heads bowed.

Never let the bastards that took the Chief away win. NEVER!

CardiacIllini3 · Aug 16, 2012, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Cheef

The only mascot/symbol Illinois should EVER have is the Chief. If he cannot be brought back, we should have none at all. A large mural on the side of the stadium based on this:

would be cool. With a ghosted image of chief, instead of a microphone, and images of Grange and other historic players standing with heads bowed.

Never let the bastards that took the Chief away win. NEVER!

+1

Aug 15, 2012, 08:55 PM	#79
ijustkrushalot Location: Iowa Corridor Posts: 778	https://twitter.com/TeamVulture __________________ Grad Degree AND a job.... dreams can come true. Last edited by Dan; Aug 16, 2012 at 10:01 AM.

Aug 16, 2012, 10:48 AM	#82
TheChiefRises Posts: 229	Not too impressive. Just dyed orange. __________________ Proud Fighting Illini, Class of 2014 Last edited by TheChiefRises; Aug 16, 2012 at 10:56 AM.

Aug 16, 2012, 06:22 PM	#91
jackman404 Posts: 1,475	Was Lincoln even alive when U of I was founded? I know he was a great historical figure and all, but he does he have ANY ties to the school? Not sure using a former president as a mascot is great idea anyway... The TeamVulture thing is awesome though. __________________ Williams to tie it with a three......HE DOES!!!

Aug 16, 2012, 06:27 PM	#92
Noday Posts: 677	I wish I could put an Illini I inplace of the cross in the case. The moon behind his head actually reminds me of the Chief's headdress. Last edited by Noday; Aug 16, 2012 at 06:32 PM.

Aug 16, 2012, 12:44 PM	#85
BZuppke Location: Plainfield Posts: 154	I would like us to have a new mascot, but there are only a few ways it can come off and be well received. First, it can't be some Bucky Badger caricature type of thing. It would be ridiculed and rejected. Plus we're best known for corn and soybeans and Neb has the cornhusker guy and I wouldn't quite know how a soybean plant would be portrayed (a large seed pod?). It can't have any Native American connection. Abe Lincoln is a great historic figure associated with Illinois and specifically Central Illinois, however, a student dressed as Abe wouldn't work as Abe jumping up and down and cheering would just be the opposite of the dignified Abe we know from history. It would be great if a new mascot presented itself organically rather than being manufactured from above. That hasn't happenned. So what are we left with? People have suggested a WWI doughboy. Again, hard to see him jumping up and down and retaining the dignity of the Illini who lost their lives "over there". I've come to the conclusion that only a live animal will do. Like the Colorado Buffalo, Georgia Bulldog or Bevo, it would be what it is. Again, the problem here is how do you randomly pick an animal and also ensure that it doesn't upset the animal rights people. A farm animal would probably be most appropriate but which one? A steer? Hog? Another choice would be to go the wild animal route with a Red Tail Hawk (very common in Illinois), but then you're sure to run into protests from animal rights groups and the Hawkeyes already have the Hawk idea. Going back to Lincoln, what if you had him in his rail splitting days and at half time have him actually split a rail or piece of firewood? All too corny?

Aug 16, 2012, 04:18 PM	#88
Big Jack Location: Decatur Posts: 210	I think we should hire Mike Tyson to be the Fighting Illini.. Dress him in an orange Kool Aid jug and let him parade a tiger around.. Pretty stupid right? So is any other option or suggestion that does not include the chief.. End of the story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aug 16, 2012, 06:48 PM	#94
unimaroon Posts: 3	An American Indian symbol may not be impossible, but it would have to be representative of the Mississippian culture that flourished here and not be a caricature Lakota Sioux war party leader from Montana. Giving the Cahokia mound builders the recognition they deserve could reflect well on everyone, especially our favorite institution devoted to high standards in education. Provided no one objects, of course. Oskee-wow-wow and cha-he-cha-ha-cha-ha-ha-ha indeed.

Aug 16, 2012, 08:20 PM	#96
IlliniX Banned Posts: 172	I prefer one of vultures picking at the carcass of a lion. http://prints-4-u.com/store/images/N...391875517T.jpg

Aug 16, 2012, 09:27 PM	#99
4Cheef Posts: 80	The only mascot/symbol Illinois should EVER have is the Chief. If he cannot be brought back, we should have none at all. A large mural on the side of the stadium based on this: would be cool. With a ghosted image of chief, instead of a microphone, and images of Grange and other historic players standing with heads bowed. Never let the bastards that took the Chief away win. NEVER!