The Students for Chief Illiniwek will be presenting Chief Illiniwek and the “Next Dance” on October 2nd at Assembly Hall.

Like the 2008 event, which drew over 10,000 people after the disappointing Illini loss to Ohio State, tickets will be sold through the Assembly Hall ticket office, Illini Union Ticket Central, and Ticketmaster.  All revenues from the event will go to support worthy causes.  Tickets are free for all University students who obtain them with their valid i-card.  Similarly, tickets for children 12 & under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

 At the 2009 event, Students for Chief Illiniwek will be hosting a special surprise guest speaker prior to Chief Illiniwek XXXVII Logan Ponce’s performance.  The event is scheduled to last no more than an hour and will be accompanied by a band of University of Illinois Alumni.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Friday, September 17th at 10am. Tickets are $5 for the public, but free to UIUC students with an i-card. NOTE: Students still must get a ticket.

Students for Chief Illiniwek 
Chief Illiniwek – Wikipedia

This is the fourth part of a four part series outlining Illini student football traditions. This series was published in 2008 and is being republished as an updated edition.

After an exciting two quarters, it is half-time. This is the only time where Illinois students sit in their seats. Sometimes the opposing band will perform, but usually the MI has a show ready to perform. This makes for a great time to go to the bathroom, get something to eat, or just take a break from the baking sun (or freezing temperatures). The end of the MI’s show is always the same. The students get back up and join in. The performance is known as the “Three-In-One” and used to feature Chief Illiniwek. The tradition was for the students to mimic the Chief’s motions, and you may still see some students doing this even though the Chief has been officially retired. The show includes a lot of clapping and the singing of the Alma Mater.

At Illinois, the Alma Mater is a uniting piece where all students put their arms around each other, and sway back and forth as they sing. It is vital as an Illinois student that you know the words:
Hail to the Orange.
Hail to the Blue.
Hail Alma Mater,
Ever so true.
We love no other,
So let our motto be
Victory, Illinois, Varsity.

The second half plays out much like the first, hopefully with the Illini winning.
At the end of the game, the football team likes to climb the stairs of the north bleachers and celebrate amongst the band and students. After playing the fight song “Illinois Loyalty”, the students, band members and players jump into the A cappella version of the Alma Mater. This singing tradition is one that is carried throughout all Illinois sporting events. Following the game, the MI performs a short concert on the steps of the Education Building for all those interested. The celebration does not end there however. In Champaign-Urbana, the party continues long into the night. Enjoy yourself, but be careful.

If you cannot make it to the game, or were not able to get tickets, you can still enjoy the festivities. Find a fun tailgate, or tune in on radio/TV to follow the Illini. Check out the The Quad’s Media Guide to view coverage for each game. So no matter how you do it, support Illinois and enjoy the game.

Continue to monitor The Quad for its complete coverage of Illinois football.

Go Illini!

“Are you going to the Rally?”

The Students For Chief Illiniwek student group is hosting an event to honor The Chief. The event will be on Saturday at 3:30 pm after the Illini win over Ohio State. Tickets are free to students and can be picked up at the Illini Union Ticket Central or to the Assembly Hall ticket office.

Come to the Assembly Hall on November 15th and celebrate the Illiniwek Tradition! The event will include presentations on the Honorable History of the Illiniwek Tradition, capped off with a performance by Logan Ponce, the 37th portrayer of the Illiniwek tradition! Tickets are free for students and 5 dollars for the general public. Oskee Wow-Wow!

The Facebook event has 872 confirmed guests.

Chancellor Richard Herman has reversed the policy of banning The Chief in UIUC’s Homecoming parade. Quite a fiasco, to say the least.

Chancellor Richard Herman, who did not sign off on the original policy, was notified about the policy earlier this week, reviewed it and determined the policy was “overly broad,” said university spokeswoman Robin Kaler.

UI’s homecoming parade policy on Chief overturned

Apparently “the university has no plans for a new mascot or symbol.” This was announced by Chancellor Richard Herman after a long speculation of a new mascot. It has been a joke for months in student circles, some suggesting the “Dinosaurs” or even the “Lincoln Top Hats.”

Illini dealing with life after Chief

A judge on Tuesday dismissed a pair of lawsuits that claimed the University of Illinois broke state law when it shelved its American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

Chief portrayers’ lawsuit dismissed by county judge