The University of Illinois band will play “Hail to the Orange” during halftime Saturday, as is traditional. But there will no appearance by Chief Illiniwek during the song.
Bowing to NCAA pressure, the university has retired the chief after years of debate and controversy. By sticking with the Chief, the school risked not being allowed to host NCAA events.
Illinois is starting a new tradition by having the players touch the Grange Rock as they run out of the locker room. The Grange Rock, dedicated in 1994 as a memorial to Illini great Red Grange, has been relocated near the northeast end zone, where the players enter the field.
“We’ve definitely talked about that,” receiver Kyle Hudson said. “We’re trying to make it a tradition, leaving from the rock. A lot of the players are excited about it.”