U Of I Moves Forward With Plan To Establish A Mascot
(CBS) – The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana is moving forward with plans to identify a "first-ever" mascot, officials said.
Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson announced Monday that she intends to appoint a steering committee of 10 to 12 people who will do the preliminary planning. The idea, Wilson said, is to involve current students, the campus community and alums.
Student leaders have already endorsed the plan.
"I am optimistic that this initiative will help build school spirit and loyalty beyond athletics," Wilson said in a prepared statement.
Chief Illiniwek had long been identified as the U of I's main symbol, but opposition mounted over years based on concerns the icon – once portrayed at events by typically white students – was racially insensitive. The university stopped using the Chief in 2007 under pressure from the NCAA.