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Illinois Fighting Illini




  Logo UIUCillinijpg
  University University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Conference Big Ten
  Division Division I
  Director Ron Guenther
  City Champaign
  State Illinois
  Stateabb IL
  Teams 21 (10 men's, 11 women's)
  Stadium Memorial Stadium (Champaign)
  Arena Assembly Hall (Champaign)
  Mascot None
  Nickname Fighting Illini
  Fightsong Illinois Loyalty , Oskee Wow Wow
  Color1 Orange
  Color2 Blue
  Hex1 FF6600
  Hex2 003366
  Pageurl http://fightingillinicstvcom/


The Fighting Illini (also known as '''The Illini''') are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign . The University offers 10 men's and 11 women's varsity sports.

The University operates a number of athletic facilities, including Memorial Stadium for Football , the Assembly Hall for men's Basketball , and the Atkins Tennis Center for men's and women's Tennis . The Fighting Illini lay claim to over twenty five National Championships dating back to 1900. However, the Illini have won just two National Championships since 1958 — Men's Tennis in 2003 and Men's Gymnastics in 1989.


ORGANIZATION

The University's Division of Intercollegiate Athletics administers the official athletics teams of the University. All of the University's athletics teams participate in the NCAA 's Division I , and form the Big Ten Conference with 10 other primarily Midwestern universities. The football team participates in a subdivision within the Division I known as Division I-A.


Men's Sports

Baseball , Basketball , Cheerleading , Cross Country , Football , Golf , Gymnastics , Tennis , Track And Field , and Wrestling .


Women's Sports

Basketball , Cheerleading , Cross Country , Golf , Gymnastics , Soccer , Softball , Swimming and Diving , Tennis , Track And Field , and Volleyball .


ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS


Baseball



Basketball: Men

See Also: Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball




Basketball: Women



Cross Country: Men



Fencing: Men



Football

See Also: Illinois Fighting Illini football




Golf: Men



Gymnastics: Men



Gymnastics: Women



Swimming and Diving: Men



Tennis: Men

See Also: Illinois Fighting Illini men's tennis




Track and Field: Men

''INDOOR''

''OUTDOOR''


Track and Field: Women

''INDOOR''

''OUTDOOR''


Volleyball



Wrestling



FAMOUS ATHLETES



NOTEWORTHY TEAMS



Men's Basketball: 1988-1989 season


Overall record: (31-5)

Head coach: Lou Henson


Story: Ranked #1 during the regular season. Known for their athletic style. Defeated in the Final Four of the 1989 NCAA Tournament , by the Michigan Wolverines even though they had defeated them twice during the regular season. Michigan went on to win the National Championship.


Men's Basketball: 2004-2005 season


Overall record (tournaments included): 37-2

Regular season: 29-1

Big Ten Conference play: 15-1

Head coach: Bruce Weber

Starters:

Story: The first Illinois men's basketball team to be ranked number one in the polls since Lou Henson 's "Flying Illini" of 1989 . Illinois won the Big Ten Tournament and were the overall number one seed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament , eventually losing to the University Of North Carolina in the finals, 75-70. This Illinois team tied the NCAA record for most wins in a season with 37 and was undefeated until losing the final game of the regular season at Ohio State by the score of 64-65.


SYMBOL AND CONTROVERSY

See Also: Chief Illiniwek


A symbol of the University's athletic teams was, until recently, a Native American figure, Chief Illiniwek, who sparked significant controversy. Critics of the symbol claimed that it was a racist stereotype, and as a symbol of oppression to Native Americans that took place in past American history. Supporters claimed that it was unoffensive and is a source of pride and reverence to the Native American heritage of Illinois according a majority of students and alumni. Recently, after past Sioux elder, Frank Fools Crow, sold an authentic ceremonial costume and headdress to the university, the Oglala Sioux tribe has demanded the costume and headdress back from the university .

The University was deeply divided on this issue; while some of the faculty condemned the symbol, the administration remained supportive of it. The University Board of Trustees announced on February 16, 2007 that the Chief's last public performance would be the final home game of the 2006-2007 Men's Basketball season. The name "Fighting Illini" was retained, as the NCAA rescinded its criticism of the use of the term. Debate continues over the team name, with the University arguing that it is derived from the name of the state, not necessarily the Native American group of the same name. At the Chief's last performance on Wed., February 21, 2007, students wore black to honor and mourn the chief's final performance.

  "http://wwwchicagotribunecom/sports/chi-ap-il-chiefilliniwek-ti,1,6374587storycoll=chi-news-hedChief" class="copylinks" target="_blank">Illiniwek's last performance