Here's the truth of it, regardless of where you stand on getting a mascot or not.
At our first game on 9/3, we have the opportunity for the fans, the press, and the sporting world to have something positive to say about Illinois athletics. A new, intelligent, eager AD, who is also a former star athlete and student. An amazing get as a football coach, beloved by nearly everyone who interacts with him.
For a university that has been brought low time and time again by poor decisions, poor leaders, poor coaching, fan apathy, etc. etc. we NEED a positive spin on our story. Lovie and Josh are that perfect story.
Instead, the non-offensive, non-silly new mascot will come running out and be booed soundly by alumni and local fans. The discussion in the stands and on air will be about the fans hating the new mascot.
Barb, please. You hit a home run with Josh and Lovie. This place creates enough negative stories without having this one added to it. Let's just stick with the Lovie and Josh story and get a positive news story for a change. If you and your 28 friends want a mascot, set up your own tailgate, maybe at the Savoy Walmart. Have your fun, take your pics and rally around it all you want. Let's just have the public seeing a POSITIVE view of our beloved just this once.
Here's my full letter to Barb and the president:
May 10, 2016
Dear President Killeen and Interim Chancellor Wilson:
I am sure you are familiar with the phrase “perception is reality.” I respectively ask you to consider that phrase and its meaning as you consider the implementation of a mascot at the University of Illinois. By way of introduction, I am a 1988 graduate of Illinois, a four year member of the Marching Illini and current member of the alumni band, a four year chimes player at Altgeld Hall, a former Illini club president, and an active member of the Illinois Connections program. I mention those connections to indicate my allegiance to and interest in the continued success of the University.
As you are already aware, the last decade or so has been a tough one for my alma mater in terms of public perception. Poor leadership, poor decision making, scandal, poor basketball and football results and other incidences have all had multiple opportunities to give the University a black eye in public perception. Rightly or wrongly, that perception has hurt the University in financial terms, in academic terms, and in general fan interest in the many valuable things the University offers the local, national and global communities.
Recently the chancellor announced the search for a first ever mascot. In her words the mascot will not be “demeaning or silly.” The president announced that it would “honor tradition.” I certainly have my own opinion about the lack of need for a mascot at Illinois, but I chose to educate myself about the issue by reading articles and listening to radio broadcasts devoted to the issue along with discussing it with fellow graduates, current students, and fans. I also went back and reviewed the campus poll conducted three years ago asking students to vote on their desire for a mascot. I came away from that brief analysis believing that while the intention may be good, the results will be divisive and negative.
All of my minor research tells me that if this mascot is introduced at a sporting event, the mascot will be soundly booed, and ridiculed. To use baseball terms, Interim Chancellor Wilson hit a home run with the hiring of Josh Whitman, and made it a grand slam with the subsequent hiring of Lovie Smith. After so much turmoil in our athletic department, and so much scandal and negative press about our administration, we finally had a great story out of Champaign for the world to hear.
At our first football game on September 3, we have a great story to tell the sporting world, which will reflect on the University as a whole. The broadcasters of that game can tell the world that we had problems, but that things are quickly on the mend and that there is a new buzz on campus. They can talk about our first African-American football coach, a super bowl coach, a person who is respected and admired by all who meet and know him. Or, we can tell a different story. We can have the announcers observe our new mascot and talk about how Illinois has once again shot itself in the foot, that the fans don’t want the new mascot, and then they can revive the discussion about Chief Illiniwek.
I believe you by now understand that I believe an institution with the prestige of Illinois has no need and no place for a mascot. We simply do not need one. The earlier announcement indicated that we need a mascot for “people to rally around.” I would point to our B1G brethren to completely discount this concept. Do we want our fans to be like Michigan football or Indiana basketball fans who somehow manage to limp along without a mascot? They seem to draw a decent crowd for their sporting events. Or do we want to be more like Northwestern, who does have a mascot, and despite football success has to lay tarps over bleachers for football games due to lackluster attendance? I think you can determine my answer to these rhetorical questions.
Please consider the perception of our great University. Please allow us one moment in the sun, where the world can think kindly about us. Please do NOT move forward with something that will do nothing more than divide our campus yet again. At the very least, conduct a survey and LISTEN to the results of students, fans, and alumni. The University deserves a good story.
Sincerely,
Illiniwek66, Class of 1988
Cc: Athletic Director Josh Whitman