Oskee-Wow-Wow

We are honored — since we've mentioned it only sparingly, though expect that to change as college hoops gets going — that so many of you have noted that we are proud graduates of the University of Illinois and have asked our opinion of the NCAA ruling that the Chief Illiniwek nickname and "symbol" are unacceptable, banning the school from hosting any postseason games until they change the name. (This means, of course, that the school won't be able to host women's basketball or volleyball NCAA tournament games, costing the university dozens of dollars.)

Having spent four years in Champaign (and 17 just an hour south), we recognize that this decision is ultimately meaningless in town, because they're never going to get rid of the name because too many members of the fraternity council (current and alumni) enjoy putting on war paint and whoop-whooping around. (And besides, it would cost too much to change all the merchandise.) But what do we think of Chief Illiniwek? What's our stance, you ask? Our stance is that after four years at the college newspaper in Champaign, any "opinion" on the matter we might have has been beaten out of us. Whichever is more likely to make the issue go away, that's what we're for. Yes, the Chief is probably offensive, no matter how much alumni might love to do shots wearing a headdress. But we can't get fired up about this anymore. Sorry.

Illiniwek Appeal Denied [Daily Illini]