How ironic, considering that one of the objections to Chief Illiniwek is that his regalia wasn't authentic, not native to Illinois. For shame, kingfisher supporters!
The mascot debate/fandom thread
The same people who got rid of Chief Illiniwek want to get rid of "Fighting Illini."
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
I'd be cool with that or Blocky the I. At least both have real ties to the university.
Blocky the I is the perfect solution.
He’s just a stupid block I. He can be customized into whatever we want.
He’s already a part of our branding.
He’s not serious enough to be thought of as a symbol to replace the beloved Chief of old.
He’s simply a goofy, dumb, perfect block I.
(I’m also good with absolutely nothing)
He’s just a stupid block I. He can be customized into whatever we want.
He’s already a part of our branding.
He’s not serious enough to be thought of as a symbol to replace the beloved Chief of old.
He’s simply a goofy, dumb, perfect block I.
(I’m also good with absolutely nothing)
That might work for football. Basketball? Baseball? Gymnastics? Volleyball? Track and field? Any other sport? Not so much.
Ahhh but when Red Grange came to the UofI he was going to play basketball and run track. It was only when the powers that be begged him to play football, then legend was born.
I’ve been following the Chief Illiniwek debate for the last half century or so, and this is the first time I’ve heard of an 1882 student editorial on the subject. Was there controversy then?
It does seem peculiar to me, however, that “Illini” would come purely from the ether. There had to be something that made the original publishers of the Student student newspaper to change the name to the Illini (later to become Daily Illini). What were they thinking, that Illini was simply an abbreviation of Illinois. Well, Illinois is just a Frenchified version of Illini, which of course is an Anglicized version, which was not a written language at that point anyway.
But I digress.
Illini has been and always has been associated with the Illini Confederation. To assume anything else is spurious logic. I men, com’on, man.
That the ultimate prize isn’t changing the name? Incremental changes haven’t been made already. To wit, the War Chant. Used, by the way, by Florida State (which also does the Tomahawk Chop).
No changing of the name? Preposterous. It has been done numerous times. Ask the Fighting Sioux, actually supported by Sioux but change by a white college president who felt offended for them.
The goal is to eliminate all vestiges of Native imagery at the University of Illinois. And the nickname? Don’t kid yourself.
I do have a compromise, but it likely wouldn’t be supported by either side of the debate. More’s the pity.
socalini
- So Cali
True. I was laser focused on football. There really is no easy answer.
I don't remember ever seeing the Chief at any sport other than football and basketball. He was at some homecoming events but did he ever appear at other sports?
band camp
- STL City
I appreciate the steadfast dedication to blocky by some. It's kinda cute. But, I'm not buying a blocky hat or polo. How many people would? I think it takes away from the prestige of the university. And would be a target for the opposition.
And most importantly, it won't sell merchandise like something pro series.
I'm in the Ghost camp. Merch could be cool, can be applied to other all sports, and if the imagery of a certain southern hate group can be be avoided, it could work.
SKane
- Tennessee
I recall only basketball and football - and only for the three-in-one during halftimes. I don't recall The Chief being at away games.
He used to go to Braggin Rights. A drunk Mizzou goober tackled him one year.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
No, but then again, Chief wasn't a mascot. Many opposing teams bring their big-head or furry to prance around on the sideline in front of section 109 at MS, it isn't illogical to think we might do the same.
Fun anecdote--at the game last week against UW, a 10 year old (or so) kid behind me asked his dad "What's that over there on the other side of the field?"
Dad: That's Wisconsin's mascot
Kid: What's it supposed to be?
Dad: A badger. Bucky Badger
Kid: That's stupid looking
Dad: That's Wisconsin
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
If it was Blocky it would still just be the Block I as our main symbol, as it is now. Same as Stanford with their tree, although they also just use the capital S.
...while ignoring the mascot.
band camp
- STL City
Understood.
What can be done with the standard block presently used is also limited. In relation to merchandise and branding.
No mascot will sell merchandise. Sure people might buy merchandise with a mascot. But they would be just as likely to buy some other Illinois branded gear. That is certainly not a reason to have a mascot.
Illinois has a brand. A fake, manufactured mascot will only dilute the current one.
band camp
- STL City
Except they don't. Compared to other P5 programs, the offerings are not the same.
And so, let me get this strait, bigger revenues are not important?
I'm not debating for or against a mascot. I am saying if the UIUC is going to have one, it shouldn't be lame.
splitter
- and not Nebraska
Take the O and the S out of the name of the state. i don't see a kingfisher.
I know a Stanford alum who is wholly embarrassed by his alma mater's logo and mascot. I know that's a sample of one, but get serious. Don't compare Chief Illiniwek to the Stanford Tree. It's not an "official mascot," but he's on the court at basketball games and I don't know where else. If you want a symbol equal to that of Chief Illiniwek (and we're worthy of it), try Chief Osceola of Florida State, not Stanford's abomination.
GrayGhost77
- Centennial, CO
I don't see where I was comparing Chief Illiniwek to anything at all. It was the hypothetical Blocky the I that was being compared to the tree.
Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
- Bloomington, IL
It's the official mascot of Stanford's band, FWIW.
Correct. But not of the university. And the band, well, it's the Stanford band.
