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This for real?

https://dailyillini.com/opinions/2019/03/04/illinois-hails-alma-otter-for-potential-mascot/

I'm trying to avoid the politics here by avoiding commenting on whether or not Illinois should have done away with the Illini mascot and whether or not they should do away with the Illini name:

Getting a new, non-Illini mascot while keeping the Illini name is a stupid compromise that pleases nobody.  IMHO, the choices should be either:

• Keep the Illini name and mascot, or
• Get a new name and a new mascot.  

It just makes no sense to see a giant Otter (or any other non-Illini mascot) running around cheering for the Illini.  If you are going to do it then I say rip the band aid off and start fresh as the Illinois (insert fearsome sounding animal or poisonous nut or whatever) and have your mascot reflect that.  

I won't be so non-politically correct.  I think it is a continued sign of how weak and sissified we have become as a society!   I have no dog in the in the fight, other than my opinion, but IF I were an Illini Alumni, I would not send another penny to the school, nor would my children consider attending the school.

I know many of these, and most of them no longer donate. One (my BFF) figures the protesters who "won" will pick up the slack...

"If we can't sell these Otters, we will have to raise our tax levy."

What does an otter have to do with anything?

How did they come up with "otter"?

I mean, if you want to ignite fear, be the Illinois Capones or something? Trade the Chief for a rotund man with slicked back hair in an expensive suit and pocket square, carrying a tommy gun.

What has been the Illini tribes opinion on this?  Shouldn't their opinion be the one that really matters?

That's the thing.  There is no Illini tribe.
It seems like they sort of started calling themselves the Illini, simply meaning "people from" or "students of" Illinois around the same time as some on campus tried to use Indians as the nickname, but it didn't stick.  Also using Native American imagery was en vogue in advertising and in the military at the time, so it seems like it all got conflated into Fighting Illini being a tribal thing.
So just strip that part away, as they've done, leave the name the same, but don't run a stupid otter out there.

That's the thing.  There is no Illini tribe.
It seems like they sort of started calling themselves the Illini, simply meaning "people from" or "students of" Illinois around the same time as some on campus tried to use Indians as the nickname, but it didn't stick.  Also using Native American imagery was en vogue in advertising and in the military at the time, so it seems like it all got conflated into Fighting Illini being a tribal thing.
So just strip that part away, as they've done, leave the name the same, but don't run a stupid otter out there.

I'd guess you could also work with tribes who have objected on ways to honor the Illini heritage...