Fighting Illini Doughboys?

My law class simulated a version of the Chief Illiniwek dispute in a mock negotiation. 
A fictional group, Native Americans for Justice, protested the University of Illinois’s use of the name “Fighting Illini.” I have run the simulation since 2002.

Something new happened today. The Native American group did a deep dive into the history of the name “Fighting Illini.” They found that the term was coined before Memorial Stadium was even built. The name applied to the hundreds of men—University of Illinois students— who fought in World War I. The name grew in circulation when the university built a stadium to honors fallen UI soldiers. Only later—in about 1926— was the name Fighting Illini linked to the first Chief Illiniwek. 

Generations later, many people think of Fighting Illini as a reference to a long-forgotten tribe. Historically speaking, this paves over the origins of Fighting Illini.

So, this group of law students proposed that U of I adopt the Doughboys as a new mascot. They made the political argument that Chief supporters, who are generally patriotic and pro-military, would have difficulty arguing that this symbol was not part of American heritage. They argued, too, that it made good sense to have a mascot that embodies the idea behind the name of Memorial Stadium.

The Native American team and UIUC administration team could not agree to this concept. The administration team contended that whether or not the history lesson is accurate, this does not reflect the current and longstanding view of “Fighting Illini”— at least not in the minds of already disappointed Chief supporters. The administration thought that the new name would simply stir the pot, not calm the waters. (The Army had a unique role in killing and forcibly removing Native Americans, so the administration team thought this could revive that history.)

My question for you is: What do you think? Share your views on FB or at mhl@illinois.edu. All ideas are welcome.

Photo Credit: The logo was posted by DomIllini on the Illini Loyalty Fan Board on May 3, 2016. The image is copyrighted by Chad Garland.