MASCOT MOURNING THANKS TO TYRANNY OF MINORITY: The CHICAGO SUN-TIMES breaks down the final performance of The Chief Illiniwek, the U of I’s mascot. (Deadspin provides pointer to video and pics of the performance).

The performance was taken in by “17,000 fans, dozens of state lawmakers and 150 journalists, twice the normal amount,” who would cover and Illinois basketball game (against U of M last night).

After the display, some students and fans slipped into black shirts to mourn the demise of one of the great mascots in sports, all the while chanting, “Save the Chief! Save the Chief!”

But before you get too misty, there’s this from sports blogger Joe Gisondi: “No longer will students get to see a 20-something white male jump around as if he had ants in his pants. No longer will people in the arena get to see the most ridiculous and insensitive portrayal of an ethnic group anywhere. Thank God.“