Editor’s note: This is the third in a three-part series that profiles those who portray Chief Illiniwek and the deep significance they attach to the symbol amidst the controversy.

Tom Livingston was working as an aide to the governor in 1995 when a bill containing a legislative endorsement for Chief Illiniwek landed on his desk. For Livingston, whose job as Jim Edgar’s higher education advisor usually focused on funding issues, it was an odd surprise.

“I’m looking down at this thing going, ‘I can’t believe it,'” Livingston said. “I had to play that as fairly as I could, but it was a strange position to be in.”

Livingston portrayed Chief Illiniwek for three years in the late 1980s.

“It’s something that not a week goes by that it doesn’t come along,” Livingston said. “It’s something that seems to travel with you through life.”

“Part of being Chief is being a former Chief”

No student has worn the Chief Illiniwek regalia for more than four years. But after graduation, when a Chief’s days of performing are over, he takes on another role: ambassador to the larger public and perpetuator of an 80-year tradition that endures through criticism and adversity.

“Part of being Chief is being a former Chief,” Livingston said. “That’s part of your service to the University, really. One of the fun parts is when you pass the headdress on to the next person and you become part of a very small group of people who are former Chiefs.”

Current Chief Kyle Cline and assistant Chief Dan Maloney rarely speak to the press. When the Chief is debated, they try not to get involved. Even when groups like the Honor the Chief Society and Students for Chief Illiniwek meet, Cline and Maloney tend to stay away from the mic.

Their responsibility is to portray an image, not to pick a fight or rally a cause.

“Your job (as current Chief) isn’t to be out there in the public eye; it’s to carry on the role and then pass it on,” said Matt Veronie, Chief in 2001-’04.

Former Chiefs serve as media contacts.

As the men’s basketball team approached the postseason and questions arose as to whether the Chief would be performing in Chicago, Indianapolis or St. Louis, Cline kept mum.

Livingston, on the other hand, was quoted in a Chicago Tribune story that appeared in publications nationwide. Former Chief John Madigan was interviewed by ABC-7 in Chicago when a vote concerning retiring the Chief was put before the Board of Trustees – and removed before the Board meeting – in 2003. Even oldest-living Chief Bill Newton was quoted in the Sun-Times a few years ago.

“The former Chiefs know how the tradition is kept, and they can answer those questions,” Cline said.

Livingston is one of the most active former Chiefs. He has worked with the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association. He is one member of a University group working to build a relationship with the Peoria Tribe, the only survivors from the Illini confederation.

“It’s kind of an unorganized, organized group,” Livingston said. “We don’t hold meetings; we don’t have letterhead. We kind of respond as we think we should.”

“Former Chiefs help you perfect the dance”

Former Chiefs say their job is to ensure the tradition is carried on with dignity. Many are actively involved in choosing the next student to hold the role. They know the responsibility that comes with the job and want someone who can handle everything that portraying the Chief entails.

“The tryouts seem to work because we’ve never finished the tenure of a Chief and gone, ‘Thank God that’s over, we made it through,'” Livingston said. “Everybody seems to have risen to the occasion.”

Once a student is chosen, former Chiefs teach him everything from the details of the dance to the history of the tradition. Livingston met with original Chief Illiniwek Lester Leutwiler, who was still living when Livingston was in the role. Livingston has become one of the biggest instructors helping each new Chief prepare for the task.

“Any time any of the former Chiefs come to a performance, I’ll get five phone calls later that night that say, ‘Hey, that looked really great, but try doing more of this,'” Cline said. “All the former Chiefs help you perfect the dance.”

While former Chiefs happily share their knowledge and experiences, they are only there to guide, not to instruct. They have passed to the second stage in the Chief Illiniwek role. New students take over the performance aspect, while they join the behind-the-scenes support staff.

“Part of our charge is to maintain the legacy of the tradition,” Livingston said. “We’re there at tryouts; we’re there to keep an eye not only on the current Chief but also on all the extra positive and negative noise going on around it.”

“The bigger picture of why they cheer is what I will always remember”

Performing as Chief Illiniwek is, at most, a four-year job. Perpetuating the Chief tradition, however, is a role Chiefs say they assume for a lifetime.

Even when a Chief’s tenure is up, there are experiences – both on and off the field – he can remember the rest of his life.

“Sneaking through the band was awesome,” Livingston said. “It was like turning up 10 stereos louder than you’ve ever heard. Those hornbells are right in your ears. The orange and blue capes are brushing against you. And then you see that open plain coming up closer and closer, and those streaks of sunlight, and whoa, that is just spectacular.”

For Livingston, there are also the memories of performing at the Final Four and getting to know the Flyin’ Illini and head coach Lou Henson. John Bitzer, Chief in 1970-73, remembers performing with his father, Bob Bitzer (Chief in 1945 and ’46) on Dad’s Day. And Veronie said he will never forget when a stadium full of Louisiana State fans stood up and cheered for the Chief when the Illini played in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, 2001.

But portraying the Chief is not about the person wearing the regalia.

“Obviously, on a personal note, breaking out of the band and hearing the roar of 60,000 people is amazing,” said Chad Schrand, assistant Chief in 2001-’03. “However, the bigger picture of why they cheer is what I will always remember.”

By portraying Chief Illiniwek, students get a unique connection to the University’s symbol. They say they also develop a closer tie to the school they represent.

“If you walk along the east wing of the Union you see these images of all these great alumni,” said Ben Forsyth, Chief in 1960-’63. “I think Chief Illiniwek pays homage to that; he represents the spirit of the modern Illini.”

And memories aren’t the only thing Chiefs take away from the role.

“You start to learn more about yourself and how you best motivate yourself,” Cline said. “My ultimate goal is not to make Kyle Cline the best, but to make sure that Chief Illiniwek is upheld with the same honor and dignity and respect as has always been associated with the tradition.”