Indiana football evolved into a College Football Playoff contender without ever having a mascot leading the charge from the sidelines. Across the Big Ten, most schools embraced energetic mascots as symbols of school spirit—yet Indiana’s athletic programs traditionally operated without one. That’s about to change.
According to Brett McMurphy of On3/Rivals, Indiana University is reviving a long-dormant piece of its history.
“Hoosier the Bison is back, baby,” McMurphy announced on X (formerly Twitter). “Indiana University’s official mascot – Hoosier the Bison – has returned to the IU-Bloomington campus after nearly 60 years. The Bison will make its public debut Aug. 30 when Indiana hosts ODU.”
The return of Hoosier the Bison marks a nostalgic revival for the university and brings IU in line with the mascot traditions of its conference peers.
This fall, Hoosier the Bison will join the ranks of iconic mascots across college football, sharing the field with the likes of Herky the Hawkeye (Iowa), the Oregon Duck, Sparty (Michigan State), and the Penn State Nittany Lion.
Hoosier’s return comes at a time of renewed excitement around Indiana football, fresh off a stunning College Football Playoff run under new head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers are working to sustain that momentum on the recruiting trail, highlighted by the recent addition of highly sought-after edge rusher Ronelle Johnson, who chose IU over Missouri and Ole Miss on July 5.
Indiana has also been active in the transfer portal, landing former Tennessee tight end Holden Staes to bolster its offense.
The legend of “Hoosier” is being revived on campus—not just as a symbol of tradition, but as a rallying point for a program on the rise.
Indiana football will enter a new era this fall—not just with a playoff-caliber team, but with the long-awaited return of a mascot. For decades, IU stood out in the Big Ten as one of the few programs without a costumed character rallying fans. That changes now.
Revealed by Brett McMurphy of On3/Rivals, Indiana is bringing back a storied symbol from its past: Hoosier the Bison.
“Hoosier the Bison is back, baby,” McMurphy announced on X (formerly Twitter). “Indiana University’s official mascot – Hoosier the Bison – has returned to the IU-Bloomington campus after nearly 60 years. The Bison will make its public debut Aug. 30 when Indiana hosts ODU.”
Originally introduced in 1965 during head coach John Pont’s first season, “Hoosier” was never intended to be a costumed mascot. As reported by The Daily Hoosier, student leaders originally envisioned a live bison, housed at nearby Brown County State Park and transported to campus for gamedays and special events. That idea was ultimately scrapped due to logistical and safety concerns, leading to the creation of a bison costume instead.
The costumed version of Hoosier the Bison lasted only a few seasons before quietly disappearing by 1969. A short-lived revival attempt in 1979 with a new figure, “Mr. Hoosier Pride,” lasted just one year.
Momentum to bring back the bison returned in late 2024 when the Indiana Student Government passed the “Bring Back the Bison” act. “The bill was passed in December and officially signaled the return of Hoosier the Bison to represent Indiana Athletics,” Indiana Daily Student writer Conor Banks reported in May 2025.
Now, nearly 60 years since its first appearance, Hoosier the Bison returns to the spotlight—this time, to rally a program already on the rise.
Indiana football, led by head coach Curt Cignetti, is fresh off a shocking College Football Playoff run that has energized fans and recruits alike. The Hoosiers have capitalized on that success, landing four-star edge rusher Ronelle Johnson over SEC programs Missouri and Ole Miss on July 5. IU also added former Tennessee tight end Holden Staes through the transfer portal to bolster its offensive arsenal.
This fall, Hoosier the Bison will once again take the field—joining the ranks of iconic mascots like Herky the Hawkeye, Sparty, the Oregon Duck, and the Nittany Lion. When IU kicks off the 2025 season against Old Dominion on August 30, it won’t just be about football—it’ll mark the return of a legacy.
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