Why Is Fighting Illini the Mascot? Meant as a symbolic representative of the Illinois Confederation, also referred to as the ...

The school did have a de facto mascot from 1926 until 2007 in Chief Illiniwek, a Native American symbol representing the Illinois Confederation of tribes, also known as the Illini. Chief Illiniwek ...

After the NCAA banned Native American mascots in 2005, the University underwent two rounds of appeals, hoping to retain Chief Illiniwek, in addition to the names "Illini" and "Fighting Illini." The ...

Eighteen mascots, including Florida State’s Seminole and Illinois’ Illini, were on the list of offenders. Those schools will not be permitted to host future NCAA tournament games, and if ...

“Milo has become the Marching Illini mascot as you will,” Barry Houser, the Marching Illini director, joyfully explained. Milo said his favorite song is low brass and right now, his favorite ...