University of Illinois students who have portrayed the school's controversial Chief Illiniwek mascot say they are carrying on a proud tradition.
Students act as "chief" and "assistant chief." They are taught how to "dance" and perform by Former chiefs who have worn the costume.
"Any time any of the former Chiefs come to a performance, I'll get five phone calls later that night that say, 'Hey, that looked really great, but try doing more of this,'" current chief Kyle Cline told The Daily Illini. "All the former Chiefs help you perfect the dance."
The former chiefs also act as spokespersons and defenders of the mascot. "Part of being Chief is being a former Chief," said Tom Livingston, who wore the costume in the 1980s.
Get the Story:Maintaining the tradition (The Daily Illini 4/22) Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org Related Stories:
Drunk Student: Chief Illiniwek is not offensive to Natives (04/07)
Native lawyers file lawsuit against Chief Illiniwek (03/16)
Chief Illiniwek relegated to sidelines for games (3/11)
Column: Chief Illiniwek mascot inappropriate (12/02)
Opinion: Chief Illiniwek will take his last dance soon (09/15)
University board to discuss fate of Chief Illiniwek (06/17)
Anti-Chief Illiniwek activists stage sit-in at college (04/19)
Students support keeping Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/19)
School to poll students on Chief Illiniwek mascot (03/11)
Chief Illiniwek battle an especially harsh one (12/16)
Alumni support didn't drop after mascot change (2/20)
Editorial: Stop 'pussyfooting' on Chief Illiniwek (11/17)
Commentary: Don't get rid of Chief Illiniwek (11/13)
'Chief' school opens Native American House (02/07)
Ill. mascot foes awarded $5,000 (07/23)
Ex-school official faces suit in mascot case (5/29)
Students vote to retire Illiniwek (5/3)
Retain or retire, but no apology for 'Chief' (3/14)
Chief Illiniwek report released (3/13)
Editorial: Rethink mascot opposition (3/7)
Illiniwek foes win round in court (4/6)
Church gives money to Chief Illiniwek foes (2/8)