Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series based on an interview with the current Chief Illiniwek portrayer, Ivan Dozier. 

He’d never been yelled at by Jesus before.

Current Chief Illiniwek portrayer Ivan Dozier’s first performance was in October 2010 and was called “The Next Dance.”

In front of a crowd of approximately 6,000 people at then-Assembly Hall, Ivan danced on the court to the “Three-In-One,” played by band alumni.

When the band reached the Alma Mater and Ivan raised his arms above his head, a man in the stands dressed as Jesus pretended to be crucified and yelled, “Culture vulture!”

“That was unfortunate,” Ivan told me. “But he had every right to be there. … Part of the Chief tradition to me is freedom of speech.” 

Right off the bat, Ivan experienced the contention that has surrounded Chief Illiniwek for decades. Anti-Chief protests cropped up on campus in 1989. And since the University retired the Chief in 2007, pro- and anti-Chief sentiment has ebbed and flowed.

Each side has its own reasoning: Many of those who don’t support Chief Illiniwek as a University symbol think that it was insensitive toward Native Americans, and many of those who support the symbol think of it as an honorable tradition. 

“The Chief has always been portrayed with the intention to be honorable,” Ivan said. 

Chief only appears at halftime, and does not make facial expressions. He does not speak and does not take part in the goofy antics that are customary to other universities’ mascots, such as mocking the opposing team. 

“I realize you can make an honorable intention, and it will still offend people,” Ivan added. 

But to Ivan, the Chief was, is and continues to be a tradition worth continuing at the University. 

In March, the Illinois Student Senate sponsored a survey that was sent to students on behalf of the registered student organization Campus Spirit Revival, asking whether the University should instate a new official mascot. 

In addition to multiple new mascot suggestions, there was a “no change” option, which received the largest portion of the votes at 15 percent. Of those who took the survey, 78 percent (9,003 students) supported Chief Illiniwek as the symbol of the University. 

This is an eight-percentage point increase from spring 2004, when 9,161 students responded with their support for Chief Illiniwek as the symbol of the University. 

“I would rather have no mascot than something besides the Chief,” Ivan said. “In my mind, when you think of the University, you think of tradition, unity, knowledge, respect and honor. What symbol can you get to embody all those qualities?” 

Chief Illiniwek, he implied. 

When Ivan appears at Illini sporting events, he follows similar protocol as when the official Chief danced on the field during football games and on the court during basketball and volleyball games. 

When the band plays the March of the Illini segment of the “Three-In-One,” Ivan’s cue is the lyrics “Keep us marching and singing / In true Illini spirit.” At that point, he comes into view by “sneaking,” or walking low to the ground with his arms behind his back. Once the dance starts, he straightens up and folds his arms parallel to the ground, and walks around the audience. 

During the Alma Mater, he raises his arms above his head and does so once again at the conclusion of the piece. The latter was something started by Dan Maloney, the last official Chief Illiniwek, to thank the crowd.

“That’s telling all the Illini fans that are cheering there, since the Chief can’t speak, that’s my way of saying thank you to the fans, thanks to the crowd, and thanks for all the support that keeps this alive,” Ivan said. “That’s why we still do it — because so many people are still so proud of the tradition.” 

Though Ivan has only heard two people boo-ing him at appearances, he is aware that some people don’t support what he is doing. 

As the University continues to distance itself from the Chief, it seems to be clear that the official Chief Illiniwek will remain to be a part of the University’s past. 

But Ivan is keeping the Chief a part of its unofficial present. 

“A lot of people always say why don’t I just let (the Chief tradition) fade away,” Ivan said. “But I don’t think it can fade away. … This is an 80-year-old tradition, and people are proud of their traditions.”

Kirsten is a junior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected].