L
ester Leutwiler 1929—better known as the first Chief
Illiniwek—was the Urbana native who created the halftime
performance in 1926 along with Ray Dvorak, director of the
marching band.
Lester was born on April 1, 1907, and grew up in Urbana, the
son of professor Oscar Leutwiler, head of U. of I.'s Department
of Mechanical Engineering for many years. Lester also earned a
degree in mechanical engineering at U. of I. in 1929.
Dvorak had taught at Urbana High School when Leutwiler was
a student there and knew of his interest in Native Americans.
Dvorak persuaded Leutwiler to wear his costume for the
halftime show he created for the game against the University of
Pennsylvania on October 3, 1926, and another band member
dressed as William Penn.
Leutwiler remained closely connected with the university after
graduating, returning for Homecoming and alumni events,
serving on the Alumni Association board, and taking his son to
football games two or three times a year when he could get away
from work. He was on hand for the 30th and 50th anniversary
celebrations of Chief Illiniwek, wearing his old headdress.
He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1980 and was an
Illini Comeback Guest in 1981. A scholarship he endowed is still
awarded each year to a top student in the department. Lester's
father was Oscar A. Leutwiler, a founding member of Illinois Beta
Chapter (the Red Ribbon Society).
Leutwiler donated his Chief costume to the university in 1983 for
an exhibit in the North Main Lounge of the Illini Union. It included
the headdress, moccasins, and a beaded breechcloth and
leggings he'd made himself, plus a shirt with beaded armbands
made by Native Americans. It was later removed for fear of
vandalism and returned to Leutwiler.
When Leutwiler died in 1993, his family gave several pieces of his
memorabilia to Steve Raquel, Chief Illiniwek at the time and now
president of the Council of Chiefs.
The Chief was retired in 2007 after nearly two decades of
controversy, and the University of Illinois put its remaining Chief
regalia into storage.
"He loved the University of Illinois," his son Robert Leutwiler said.
Learn more at tinyurl.com/FirstChief.
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Learn About Lester Leutwiler 1929
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