<P> The University of Illinois official team nickname is the Fighting Illini . The earliest reference of Illini appears to be mentioned in January 1874 , when the campus weekly newspaper changed its name from The Student to The Illini . An editorial in the first edition of the renamed newspaper indicated that Illini was a new term . During the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century , it was used to refer to the students , faculty , staff , and alumni of the University , as well as to the campus as a whole . </P>
<P> The University of Illinois official team nickname is the Fighting Illini . The earliest reference of Illini appears to be mentioned in January 1874 , when the campus weekly newspaper changed its name from The Student to The Illini . An editorial in the first edition of the renamed newspaper indicated that Illini was a new term . During the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century , it was used to refer to the students , faculty , staff , and alumni of the University , as well as to the campus as a whole . </P>
where did the name fighting illini come from
where did the name fighting illini come from
newspaper changed its name
newspaper changed its name