CHAMPAIGN - The camera flashes lighted up the Assembly Hall as Chief Illiniwek strode toward retirement. Just about to enter the tunnel and start his NCAA-coerced exile, the Chief pivoted and made his way back to center court. | Photo Gallery | Video

Not ready to go quietly, he turned in salute toward each side of the floor. The unprecedented move prompted an already thunderous ovation from a sellout crowd of 16,618 people to grow even louder.

"It was overwhelming, the crowd reaction was incredible," said Dan Maloney, who portrayed the Chief for the final time during halftime of Wednesday's game between the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan.

When he did pass through the tunnel for the final time, he met several former Chief Illiniweks who attended the game.

"Their only words were, 'Dan, phenomenal job,'" Maloney said.

"That was all they needed to say."

The encore was an effort to preserve the dignity of the Chief while doing something special for his last day.

"That was something I was thinking about since Sunday as a way to say thank you to all these people who have supported us," said Maloney, who admitted to not sleeping well the night before.

His mother, Carol, was among about 10 family members who attended the farewell. She was videotaping the dance from her seat in the stands.

"I was doing really good until the video came on," she said. "It was embarrassing. I was just bawling."

Maloney was hugged by each of the Illini players as they left the court.

"It's special and it's a tremendous tradition here," Illini coach Bruce Weber said. "It's disappointing for everyone, but it's something that has to be done."

But he won't be forgotten.

"All those things he stood for will stay in the hearts of the Illini nation forever."

The Chief's farewell was a resolution to a move by the NCAA that declared American Indian imagery as "hostile and abusive."

The decision to retire the Chief prompted the NCAA to end sanctions that prevented the university from hosting postseason games since 2005.

Quickly after the cameras stopped recording history on Wednesday, much of the Assembly Hall went black.

The Orange Krush cheering section and a good portion of the crowd went into mourning by switching from Illini garb to black T-shirts.

Kathi Schilling of Monticello was among those recording the moment from her seat six rows up from the court.

"It's really sad," said Schilling, a season ticket holder for almost 40 years.

She had three daughters graduate from the university but was not about to give up her seat for Wednesday's game, no matter what.

"No, I don't think so," she said. "I had several daughters who were asking for the tickets."

Barb and El Gentry of White Heath saw the writing on the wall for the Chief but didn't hide their disappointment in the university's choice, which was announced last week.

"It's sad that the vocal minority can rule the roost, but what can you do?" said El Gentry, who has been a season ticket holder for about 30 years. He wore a "Long Live the Chief" armband. "It was inevitable that it was going to happen."

"You can't cheat all the teams out of playing in the postseason tournaments," Barb Gentry said.

Beverly Hendron of Mahomet, a season ticket holder for about 30 years, also was trying to make the most of the night.

"I love the Chief. I'm sad to see him go, really sad," she said. "I think it's bittersweet. You get to see him one more time, but bitter because he can't do it anymore."

Those who did make it in the Assembly Hall saw the Illini players wear T-shirts in memory of the double occasion; it also was the last home game for the seniors. On the front of the shirts was "The last dance - 33, 41, 44," the jersey numbers for three seniors.

On the back was a large Chief logo with the words "Courage, Honor, Tradition" underneath.

The crowd also got to see a video tribute to past Chief Illiniweks on the large scoreboard. It also listed the name of each person who portrayed the university symbol, who performed at football and basketball halftimes, since the Chief debuted in 1926.

On sale were nine different types of Chief shirts, including four made in time for the game.

Maloney hopes they go quickly. Even though this was his last dance, he's not ready to think there will not be another for someone down the line.

"I would have to say the fight isn't over," he said. "Keep wearing the Chief gear, keep the Chief visible."

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Chief's last dance

The end of the tradition: Chief Illiniwek ended 81 years of halftime dances Wednesday night after the University of Illinois' decision last week to do away with the controversial American Indian mascot.

The background: While supporters see Chief Illiniwek as an honorable tradition, some American Indians and others have long complained the mascot is offensive. The NCAA in 2005 agreed, barring Illinois from hosting postseason sports.

The future: No decision has been made about the future of the chief trademark, or whether the university will adopt another mascot.

SOURCE: Associated Press