Chief Illiniwek, the controversial mascot of the University of Illinois, is said to be on his way out as an official school symbol.

Sources told The Chicago Sun-Times that the chief will appear at the football season opener and at home basketball games this winter. But after that, he won't be considered an official mascot.

Sources said the reason for the change was the NCAA's decision to place the chief on the list of "hostile" and "abusive" mascots. The school won't be able to host post-season tournaments if it keeps the symbol.

School officials, alumni and students are developing a plan to determine the future of the chief, the paper said.

Get the Story:
The last dance for Chief Illiniwek? (The Chicago Sun-Times 8/31)

Relevant Links:
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois - http://www.uiuc.edu/dialogue/index.html
Retire the Chief - http://www.retirethechief.org

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