The University of Illinois (U of I) mascot has been a subject of controversy and discussion for many years. The mascot, known as Chief Illiniwek, has been the center of both support and criticism from various groups. Chief Illiniwek was introduced as the U of I mascot in 1926 and was portrayed by a student who would perform during halftime shows at sporting events. The portrayal included dancing and wearing Native American regalia. The intention was to honor and celebrate the Illiniwek tribe, who were the original inhabitants of the land. Over the years, however, the portrayal of Chief Illiniwek has faced criticism from Native American groups and other organizations.

Laura's Birding Blog

In the late 1990s, I circulated a petition trying to get the Black-capped Chickadee named Minnesota’s Emergency Auxiliary Backup State Bird, to serve during the six months of every year when loons have flown the coop and are not fulfilling their obligations. I got a few thousand signatures, my DFL precinct caucus voted in favor of it, and if I recall correctly, my congressional district convention approved it too, but that’s as far as it went. It was a lot of work on a fun campaign. I failed, but at least we still have a state bird, absent half the year though it may be.

School mascots are like state birds—not all that important in the overall scheme of the universe, but at their best, they provide a unifying symbol of community spirit and shared identity. My adult children have forgotten a lot of details about their elementary school but still remember the Lakeside Lion because of the funky design and colors on school supplies and sweatshirts.

Elementary school mascots have less impact on us beyond childhood than high school and college mascots do—I can’t remember what my elementary school’s mascot was, but I do remember the West Leyden Knight. When I started college at the University of Illinois in 1969, the mascot was “Chief Illiniwek.,” which even in my ignorance at the time seemed offensive. In 2008, the university finally got rid of that shameful stereotype, and in 2011, a campus survey of 11,440 U. of I. students revealed that 85 percent supported the decision. But in the 14 years since, the university hasn’t replaced the mascot with anything else.

To fill that vacuum, in 2019, a fun, determined, and talented astrophysics student, Spencer Hulsey, spearheaded a campaign to name as mascot a splendid blue and orange bird.

The Belted Kingfisher has a lot going for it besides bearing the school colors. The powerful, heavy beak and shaggy crest give it the proportions of an athlete, especially one wearing a funky helmet; and kingfishers exemplify skill, concentration, and focus as well as power, making them an excellent choice for a school that excels in academics and sports both. And unlike many mascots and a certain state bird I could mention, the Belted Kingfisher lives right there in Champaign-Urbana year-round. Its loud rattle would make a perfect battle cry for any sporting event and is mechanical enough that some enterprising individual is bound to make a cool noise-making toy mimicking the sound that could create a craze like the vuvuzela did in the 2012 Olympics only, with luck, less damaging to our eardrums. Spencer and her friends suggested a giant Kingfisher Kazoo. What could be more fun?

One little-known fact about the Belted Kingfisher makes it especially appropriate as a football team mascot—it’s one of the few birds that form huddles. Nestling kingfishers stay in a tight huddle, wings snugly wrapped around one another even as they shuffle about in their dark nesting burrows.

That huddling can also be construed as a group hug that could endear the birds to the most sports-averse students as well as football fans. And that is exactly what a mascot should do: appeal to the many diverse interests and passions of a university community.

Spencer Hulsey created a lot of engaging illustrations to promote the kingfisher and gave me permission to post them on my blog.

In 2020, she presented her case to the University of Illinois Senate who passed the resolution 105 to 4, but the endorsement legislation is still sitting on the Chancellor's desk. Now her group is focused on building community support so the chancellor can see they mean business. She said that ultimately, their work “proved to him that the campus and faculty are ready for a new mascot, and we expect he will vote to adopt a new mascot before Spring 2024. The kingfisher is the only contender at the moment, but the floor could be opened to other suggestions.” The Kingfisher website includes information about how we can join the Letter Campaign to most effectively support making this splendid and fun bird U. of I.’s official mascot.

Kingfisher mascot discussions continue in committee

Boneyard Area Mural !nitiative presents their mural Kingfisher located on 3rd Street. Since the University has retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007, many support the idea of having kingfisher as the new mascot.

By Jessie Wang, Staff Writer
October 12, 2022

A University committee is working to identify new traditions that don’t rely on depictions of Native Americans, and supporters of the kingfisher mascot are hoping that their pick will be included in the discussion.
The committee is one part of Chancellor Robert Jones’ announcement in 2020 on the University’s Implementation Plan on Native Imagery.
In 2020, the University Senate passed a resolution in favor of an orange and blue kingfisher designed by University alum Spencer Hulsey. The resolution called on Chancellor Jones to approve the new mascot and consider the kingfisher as a possible successor to Chief Illniwek.
Since the resolution was passed, there have not been any significant updates to the status of the kingfisher as the University mascot, said Robin Kaler, spokesperson for the University.
The University retired Chief Illiniwek in 2007 and has been without a mascot for 15 years. The retirement of the Chief came after the NCAA cited the mascot as “hostile and abusive” in 2005, after decades of controversy surrounding the mascot.
According to Dana Yun, a former University student senator who graduated this year, the Chancellor’s committee “discussed a new infrastructure” for how to vet a new mascot.
Yun is part of the Kingfisher Alumni Organization, an organization that promotes the proposed mascot by selling merchandise, working with campus RSOs to adopt the kingfisher and collaborating with Native American communities.
“It’s really amazing to see this shift, and we’re trying to gain more formal support,” Yun said. “We’re actually in communication with the Embassy of Tribal Nations … and working closely with their mascot task force to make sure that we’re aligning our goals with members of that group.”

According to the organization’s website, their efforts “send a strong signal that University of Illinois alumni are ready to see our alma mater unify school spirit and create new traditions.”

The kingfisher is also present in murals created by the Boneyard Area Mural !nitiative, or BAM!.

Murals of the kingfisher can be spotted at South Third Street and in the top right corner of the new mural on the side of Skyline Tower on Green Street.
Jacqueline Carrillo, a graduate student studying public health, said she remembered seeing the Chief on merchandise worn by students and talks about “bringing back the chief” when she began as an undergraduate at the University in 2018.
“When I did my own research about what the Chief was … I deemed (that) to be disrespectful,” she said.
Carrillo said she is happy the University no longer uses the Chief as a mascot, but is unsure about the kingfisher because of the University’s reputation as the Fighting Illini.
“When it comes to bringing in the new mascot, I think that (the University) is fine without a mascot,” she said. “I don’t think it would be a great idea to bring in a new mascot when we are already known as the Fighting Illini.”
However, the 2020 senate resolution stated that this mascot proposal is not intended to serve as a team name change but rather create new and inclusive traditions for the entire campus community.
Yun notes that although many people have strong ties to the old mascot, the creation of new symbols can bring a larger sense of unity and community.
“A mascot brings together a community more than any other marketing technique, so we’re just trying to give students a bigger sense of community,” Yun said.

The University of Illinois Might Make a Kingfisher Its New Mascot. It should!

Spencer Hulsey, a former U of I student, began the campaign last year. This Monday the school's Senate will vote on the proposal.

Over the years, however, the portrayal of Chief Illiniwek has faced criticism from Native American groups and other organizations. Many argue that the representation of a Native American mascot is offensive and perpetuates stereotypes. They believe that it is cultural appropriation and disrespectful to Native American culture.

Birds in This Story

Belted Kingfisher

In response to the criticism, the U of I has taken steps to address the issue. In 2007, the university officially retired Chief Illiniwek as the mascot. However, the controversy surrounding the mascot continues to this day. There are still groups and alumni who believe that Chief Illiniwek should be reinstated as the U of I mascot, as they argue that it is a symbol of tradition and school pride. They argue that the portrayal was respectful and meant to honor the Illiniwek tribe. On the other hand, there are also many who support the retirement of Chief Illiniwek and believe that the university should move away from using Native American imagery altogether. They argue that it is important to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for all students and faculty. The debate over the U of I mascot is complex and multifaceted. It raises questions about cultural sensitivity, representation, and the role of mascots in the world of sports. It is an ongoing discussion that continues to have an impact on the university and its community..

Reviews for "The U of I Mascot and Social Media: How does it engage with fans online?"

1. Claire - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with the new U of i mascot. As an alumni, I was expecting something that would represent the university's history and values. Instead, what we got was a cartoonish character that looks more like a children's toy than a symbol of higher education. It's a shame that such an important decision was made without properly consulting the alumni and students.

2. Joshua - 1 star

The U of i mascot is a complete disaster. It lacks any sense of originality and looks like a cheap knock-off of other mascots. It's hard to take the university's sports teams seriously with this childish and unimpressive representation. I can't help but feel embarrassed for my alma mater every time I see it at a game. A mascot should inspire pride and excitement, and this one fails miserably.

3. Sarah - 3 stars

While I understand the need for a new mascot, I think the U of i mascot falls short in terms of design and creativity. It's not that the mascot is terrible, but it's certainly underwhelming. The university had an opportunity to create something iconic and memorable, but instead, we got a forgettable character without any distinguishing features. It feels like a missed opportunity and I can't help but think that they could have done better.

The U of I Mascot: Tradition vs. Progress