As a Marquette alum now working at the University of Illinois, I noted some errors in your recent article on the retirement of the chief. The chief tradition began in 1926, before "mascots" were common. A "mascot" cheers from the sidelines during the game, while the chief takes the place of honor at center stage during the halftime show. Just as the Marquette Warriors, the chief was killed by a vocal politically-correct minority and a cowardly administration. The retirement decision, rushed through without a meeting by only three trustees, is very unpopular. Students for Chief Illiniwek held a rally Monday night and have various forms of protest planned for the entire week, as detailed at studentsforchief.com.

James Phillips is a 1993 alumnus of the College of Arts & Sciences.