URBANA, Ill. -- The University of Illinois will retire its 81-year-old American Indian mascot, Chief Illiniwek, following the last men's home basketball game of the season on Wednesday.

The NCAA in 2005 deemed the buckskin-clad Illiniwek an offensive use of American Indian imagery and barred the university from hosting postseason events.

Chief Illiniwek Retired

Some fans on an Illini message board are suggesting new Illini symbols. Some rather interesting suggestions (15th post down is especially interesting, by a poster called Cratchelow).

Sucking Tully Monsters