Springfield Reacts to Chief Illiniwek

A night to remember for Illini fans ... And the symbol many people associate with the U of I.. for 81-years. Chief illiniwek's last dance was tonight ..at Assembly Hall. Fans here in Springfield packed local pubs to see it for themselves.. A somber night for Chief Illiniwek fans as he made his last dance on the hardwood. Many sat in awe as they hailed the Chief for the last time on the big screen. Near the end tears where shed. But other fans say they weren't bothered by the end of the tradition. However, one family says the Illini have been in the family for over four generations ... so it's a tough and emotional night. "It's an emotional thing for people throughout Central Illinois. Just the pride, the integrity and I think it's very unfortunate that they are taking a symbol like this away from people that go to school there. I think that they should make up their own decision." Tom Carey, U of I Alumni. His daughter, 10-year old Jennifer Carey is sad to see the Chief go too,"I like the Chief and I've seen it since my whole life." And the university's fan club "orange crush" didn't wear their illini gear ... Rather they were speaking out with black t-shirts. Who knows when we'll see the next wave of orange seep through the stands. And one fan says fans should stand behind the University and hopefully they will change the mascot to the "Orange Crush"