The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) does not have an official mascot. However, the athletic teams are known as the Fighting Illini, and they have used a representation of Chief Illiniwek as their mascot in the past. Chief Illiniwek was depicted as a Native American chief and performed at sporting events, but the portrayal was controversial and has since been retired. The use of Chief Illiniwek as a mascot was seen as offensive and disrespectful by many Native American groups and other individuals. It perpetuated stereotypes and cultural appropriation, and it was discontinued by the university in 2007. Since then, UIUC has not adopted a new official mascot.
Opinion | Is it time for UI to adopt a new mascot?
“Stuff Huff” Friday night at Huff Hall for the women’s volleyball game as hordes of fans swarmed the court to cheer on the Chief during his halftime performance on Aug. 25, 2006. Senior columnist Maggie Knutte and columnist Grayson Hodson share their opinions on the university’s mascot status.
Senior columnist Maggie Knutte and columnist Grayson Hodson share opposing perspectives on replacing the mascot for the Illini. Knutte argues in favor of a replacement with the belted kingfisher, whose campaign gains traction yearly, whereas Hodson argues it would be too divisive at this point in time.
The belted kingfisher mascot fits fantastically
A vibrant orange and blue bird swoops down and dives gracefully into the water, emerging victorious with a fish. It is the kingfisher.
If you have watched “ Our Planet ,” an Emmy Award-winning nature documentary, then you have likely watched this scene. While short, it shows a captivating shot of a kingfisher in action in the seventh episode, titled “ Fresh Water .” Renowned broadcaster and biologist David Attenborough introduces it as “the kingfisher, the most glorious of divers.”
This semester, the belted kingfisher became the unofficial mascot of the University, filling a spot that has been vacant since 2007 .
Despite mixed opinions about the choice of a mascot, not many know much about the bird itself.
There are several different species of kingfisher birds, but it is the belted kingfisher that can be found in Illinois. They often nest near water bodies such as streams or shorelines, fishing for fish and crawfish like their name suggests.
The belted kingfisher specifically gets its name from its blue belt that wraps around its breast. Female kingfishers also have an orange belt across their chest, sporting Illinois’ colors against their white base.
This bird is a proud symbol of the University but is also becoming more scarce . As fishery competitors, belted kingfishers used to be hunted. There are now laws in place protecting them, but they can only do so much. Kingfishers have also become displaced because of habitat loss.
Making the belted kingfisher our mascot could help bring awareness to conservation efforts. A bird that is so unique and important to our local ecosystem deserves nothing less than to thrive.
Supporters of the belted kingfisher created a website with information about the potential mascot. It includes everything from the timeline of the kingfisher becoming a mascot figure to student-made designs for the mascot. There is a page about how you can get involved in making the kingfisher our mascot.
The Kingfisher has several social media accounts that post updates, merch and anything else Kingfisher-related.
Mascots should be something fun for everyone to enjoy and appreciate. The Kingfisher does not have any deep historical connections to the University, but it is a unique member of the Champaign area that is symbolic of the Illini spirit.
We are not ready for a new mascot
In 2007 , the National Collegiate Athletic Association ruled that the University’s mascot, Chief Illiniwek, should be retired. Ever since then, the Illini have been without a mascot. The question “Who should be the next mascot?” still lingers in people’s minds, but we don’t need a new mascot and aren’t ready for one anyway.
The conversation is now coming to a head, with many students and Illini fans giving ideas for a new mascot. The kingfisher has been the most talked about, with an advisory vote three years ago by the Illinois Student Council — then the Illinois Student Government — that passed. Additionally, the unofficial mascot has even appeared in full costume for the first time on campus this year.
However, I don’t think we are ready for a new mascot, and that’s OK.
As of October, there are still four NFL teams without a mascot: the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Chargers, the New York Giants and the New York Jets. These teams still have thriving fan bases, and none are petitioning for an official mascot. Why can’t Illinois be the same?
The desire for a new mascot comes from the fans who want to leave the old one behind and move forward. There are also fans who are passionate about the removal of the Chief and even consider him to still be the symbol that represents Illini football. To implement a new mascot is to create an unnecessary divide within the fan base and is one that could be easily avoided.
The best thing that the University of Illinois can do is nothing. If the University were to implement a new mascot, it would make the younger generation of fans happy but upset the older. The University should wait until the connection between the Chief and the Illini is all but severed.
At that time, we could create a new mascot that fans could get behind, like the Kingfisher. But as of now, the fans who still recognize the previous mascot will see a new one as the twisting of a knife already stuck in their back.
At the end of the day, football is about bringing people together, and if creating a new mascot divides the fan base, then it isn’t worth it.
Maggie is a junior in Media.
Grayson is a freshman in LAS.
CORRECTION: In a previous version of the column, it was written that “ The kingfisher has been the most talked about, with an advisory vote three years ago by the Illinois Student Council and then the Illinois Student Government that passed.” Th is quote has been edited for clarity. ISC’s official stance is that they have not officially endorsed the kingfisher — the vote was merely an advisory vote.
Chief Illiniwek: Understanding the Issues
To some, Chief Illiniwek is an honored symbol of the University of Illinois which should be preserved. To others, he is a race-based sports mascot that had to go. For parts of three decades, opponents demanded that the University of Illinois Board of Trustees retire the Chief. The Board voted to affirm their support of the Chief in 1990, and the Illinois General Assembly gave its backing several years later. Amid continued protest, UI administrators launched a campus-wide dialogue to better understand the conflicting perspectives. Several more years passed until the NCAA ruled in 2006 that certain Native American-based college mascots and symbols were "hostile and abusive" to minorities. The next winter, under the threat of losing the right to host post-season athletic events, trustees voted to retire Chief Illiniwek.
WILL has covered the issues and perspectives raised in the debate on Chief Illiniwek for many years. Listen to the features and interviews below and explore links to other resources.
Since then, UIUC has not adopted a new official mascot. Efforts to select a new mascot have been ongoing, with various suggestions and proposals put forth by students, alumni, and other stakeholders. However, a consensus has not yet been reached, and the university continues to operate without a mascot.
Last Dance
February 22, 2007 - For the sellout crowd at the Assembly Hall in Champaign February 21, the big highlight wasn't Illinois' victory over Michigan, but the last appearance of Chief Illiniwek. The Chief has plenty of critics - but at the game, supporters showed how much they loved him. AM 580's Jim Meadows reports.
Listen to the story:
The absence of an official mascot has not deterred school spirit, as UIUC students and fans still passionately support their athletic teams. The Fighting Illini name remains in use, and the university's orange and blue colors are recognizable symbols of UIUC pride. While the issue of selecting a new mascot may continue to be debated, the institution remains focused on providing a high-quality education and fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students..
Reviews for "The UIUC Mascot: A Marketing Tool for the University"
- John - 1 star - The new Uiuc mascot is absolutely terrible. It looks like a weird cross between a robot and a scarecrow. I have no idea what they were going for with this design, but it definitely missed the mark. It lacks any kind of personality or charm, and does not represent the spirit of Uiuc at all. I am very disappointed with this choice.
- Sarah - 2 stars - As an alumni of Uiuc, I was excited to see the new mascot. However, I was extremely disappointed when they unveiled it. The design is just really strange and not at all representative of the school or its values. It looks like a character from a completely different universe. I don't understand why they couldn't stick to something more traditional or classic. Overall, I think this new mascot is a big miss.
- Michael - 1 star - I was really hoping for something great when Uiuc announced they were getting a new mascot, but this is a major letdown. The design is boring and uninspiring. It seems like they just threw together a mishmash of random elements without any thought or consideration. It's just not a mascot that I can get behind or support. I hope they reconsider and come up with something better in the future.