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--- nickname:willie_wampum [2007/06/20 22:27] – fixed format mu_hilltopper
+++ nickname:willie_wampum [2025/06/29 14:55] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 "It's around someplace because you can't destroy fiberglass. It would take a long time to disintegrate in a landfill," said Loucks. "Willie lives on but we don't know where."
+{{nickname:75warrior.jpg|}}{{nickname:williew.jpg|}}{{nickname:williesfuturenotsobright.jpg|}}{{nickname:cryingforwillie.jpg|}}{{nickname:headlesswillie.jpg|}}
+=== The Beginning of the End of Willie Wampum (And Eventually, The Warrior) ===
+Early in 1971, Fr. James Groppi, in a TV discussion, declared that the Indian mascot was offensive and degrading.  Indian students on campus rallied, demanding that Willie be ousted.  Student and public reaction was quick and surprising.  The vast majority were in favor of retaining Willie.  The ASMU reacted otherwise.  After heated debate, the senate recommended that Willie be retired.  It felt it had a duty to protect the rights and wishes of minority students.
+{{  nickname:willie73.jpg|}}
+Students, however, did not agree.  They claimed that the ASMU as a representative body should reflect the majority's wishes and keep Willie.  But the CSL also recommended that Willie be ousted, adding that "depicting of people in a derogatory manner is inappropriate to a Christian university."
+The question was- who had the power to depose Willie?  The students, administration or alumni?  Willie was started by students in 1961 and while students and alumni were in favor of retaining him, decision-making bodies were not.  After the 1970-71 basketball season ended, Dr. James Scott, vice president for student affairs, made the final decision- scrub Willie.  The ASMU was directed to select a new mascot, unoffensive to anyone.
+Willie served us well, inciting the fans and the team on to victory, but as our country moved into the 1970s, we became more aware of the feelings of others.  Willie was offensive to some Indians and Marquette did their best to retire him gracefully.  The picture to the right is from 1973 and shows the revised version of the Warrior mascot, which still included a tomahawk, but featured a much smaller, more respectful caricature of a Native American head.
 ===== Willie Wampum Dates in History =====
   * February 1961 – Name of "Willie Wampum" emerges from a student who won $5 in a “Name the Warrior” contest.
-  * Feb. 24, 1961 – "Willie Wampum" makes first appearance at a Marquette basketball game.
+  * Feb. 25, 1961 – "Willie Wampum" makes first appearance at a Marquette basketball game versus Drake University.
   * Feb. 15, 1971 – Student Senate passes resolution requesting the administration permanently retire the character of "Willie Wampum" as soon as possible (16 to 9 vote)