I would like to suggest to the U of Illinois that they change their mascot to the "Fighting Slovaks." My grandparents came to this country at the turn of the 20th Century and many of their peers were coal miners. So, the mascot can be a big Slovak miner with a carbide lamp on his head, running around the field or court -- I, along with other Slovaks, give the U of Illinois permission to do so. Leave the Native Americans alone so they can effectively run their casinos.
U. of Ill. Appeals to Keep Indian Mascot
I would like to suggest to the U of Illinois that they change their mascot to the "Fighting Slovaks." My grandparents came to this country at the turn of the 20th Century and many of their peers were coal miners. So, the mascot can be a big Slovak miner with a carbide lamp on his head, running around the field or court -- I, along with other Slovaks, give the U of Illinois permission to do so. Leave the Native Americans alone so they can effectively run their casinos.