Saturday, November 22, 2008

Sweet Sioux adieu

In the Big 10 conference, the winners of many of the league's football games take annual possession of a trophy. Some are well known--the victor of the Indiana-Purdue game gets to keep The Old Oaken Bucket for a year. Minnesota and Michigan battle for the Little Brown Jug.

Since 1948, the winner of the Illinois-Northwestern game has taken possession of the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. Last year the Illini won. Today's game is at Northwestern and the trophy will stay in Evanston--regardless of the winner.

Last year Illinois was forced to retire its longtime mascot, Chief Illiniwek. Native American groups and politically-correct types finally won the day over tradition.

But that's not enough. The Tomahawk, which offended no one, is also being put to rest because it is viewed as Native American imagery by the NCAA.

Will it ever end?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That isn't the Tomahawk the Indians
used to scalp Custer was it?

Anonymous said...

Wait. It gets better. This afternoon, the IHSA (Illinois H.S. Sports Association) barred two Catholic schools, playing against each other on private property, from saying the traditional pre-game prayer that is said beofre EVERY game. (Sacred Heart/Griffin from Springfield, IL playing at Providence Catholic in New Lenox, IL)

Anonymous said...

If this were a "Tommy Gun" from
Copone era I could understand the
objection. And the IHSA made the
separation of church and state
argument no doubt.

Jim Roper said...

Can also be used as a hair cutting
tool.

Jim Roper said...

It is a nice piece of history
that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Pundit you are without a doubt,
a real class act. Your man Bush is
leaving the White House. Hardy har
har! Let the Dems fix the mess
Your guy left behind.

Anonymous said...

No sir, I don't think it will end.