Although several who emailed or posted comments pointed out he was not a mascot, after all, but merely a “symbol” of our giant land-grant university with some 56,000 students. Sure.

In the same way Dee Brown’s orange headband popped up on heads around town in 2004-05, black masks are all the rage as the current team marches toward greatness.

Disclaimer: I am about to utter a word that will make even the weakest Illini fan cringe. Mascot. With all of your might, please refrain from hitting the comment section immediately. To be quite frank ...

The Chief will forever hold a special place in my heart. He is an honored symbol, not a mascot. Period. The last thing on the planet the Illini need is a mascot. Bucky Badger, the dancing Buckeye ...