Release of Survey Results on Chief Illiniwek Delayed

Results from an online survey conducted this week asking students on the University of Illinois’ Urbana campus if they support Chief Illiniwek aren’t being released just yet.

A challenge from student senator, Josh Good is temporarily keeping those results from being released.

According to Student Body President Brock Gebhardt, Good maintains that a previous survey asking students to rate a series of mascots to replace the Chief conflicts with another survey from several years ago in which a large number of students voted in favor of reinstating the Chief as the U of I’s official symbol.

The University of Illinois' Board of Trustees retired the Chief in 2007 to avoid NCAA sanctions that barred the school from hosting postseason athletic events.

A student judiciary committee is scheduled to hear oral arguments on the case next week. After that happens, results from this week's survey on the Chief will be made public.

Chancellor Phyllis Wise has said the Chief mascot isn't coming back.