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Friday, February 23, 2007 10:52 PM CST
Letter: Sad day for beloved University of Illinois
By PAULA COKER, Mattoon
It is a sad day for our beloved University of Illinois and the people of the state of Illinois! Long live the Chief! Honor and kudos to all who had the privilege to serve as the Chief.
Both of our parents went to the University of Illinois and dad played football with Red Grange. Mom was in the stands the day Red made his phenomenal run of 90-plus yards and earned the nickname, “The Galloping Ghost!”
As youngsters, we were privileged to experience Illini FB and Chief Illiniwek and in turn, I took my children for the same experience. What a thrill to see the Chief come bursting out of the midst of the Illini Marching Band! I still get a lump in my throat and goosebumps just thinking about it!
I was told many years ago that in order to even try out for Chief, one had to be an Eagle Scout. Pretty elite company, don’t you think? Remember several years ago, the FB player who at half time took over the role of the Chief?
Also, did you know that in 1943, because all the men were either fighting the war, on the FB field, or in the band and that there was a Princess Illiniwek -- the only woman to ever fill the position. Her name: Idelle Stith and her home address was Fairfax, Okla.
I also am curious if every NCAA team was surveyed to see if they found their mascot offensive in any way to any one!
As a ticket taker at the U of I football games, I witnessed the “demonstrations” --some with only 30 or less people parading -- to ban the Chief. Of course, the cameras made it appear to be many, many more when aired on the news.
I have great respect for the Indian nations and am a great believer in their rights, their heritage, their intelligence, their arts, and their skills.
I ache for their treatment many years ago when our country was becoming a nation.
These kind of things are truly the weak points of our nation’s history. We must learn from our past so the future will hold better things for our children and grandchildren.
When they asked for letters of appeal a few years ago, my family e-mailed letters to the powers that be and sent the address, etc. to friends and family all over the U.S.
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kay wrote on Apr 10, 2007 9:27 AM: