The University of Illinois will no longer use the music known as the “War Chant” during athletic events on its Urbana-Champaign campus.
Word began to spread on social media last night about the decision … which was confirmed by U of I athletic department spokesman Kent Brown Friday morning.
Brown says the administration made the decision in part to enhance the atmosphere at Illini events … and in part to make those events more inclusive.
“And there’s been discussion about that for many years, as I said, through the university administration and some other groups on campus, and so we feel like this is an opportunity to have a … to make it more inclusive for everybody at our events.”
The U of I retired Chief Illiniwek as its symbol in 2007 … but the marching and pep bands have continued to perform music associated with the Chief.
Brown says the use of the music known as the “Three in One” will continue during halftime of athletic events.
