Bloomington, Indiana – For the first time in almost six decades, Indiana University Bloomington is bringing back a figure that holds a deep connection to both the state and the university’s long history. The bison is officially back, and this time it is here to stay. IU announced that the beloved mascot will return in full force as Hoosier The Bison – a name chosen to honor IU’s athletic spirit, its traditions, and its unique place in Indiana history.
The announcement comes after the Indiana University Student Body Congress passed the ‘Bring Back the Bison Act’ on December 16, 2024, making the bison’s return official. In response to this show of student support, IU Athletics agreed to revive the bison mascot for the Bloomington campus. The re-introduction of Hoosier The Bison is being framed as a celebration of IU’s legacy, school pride, and the enduring bond between the university and the state of Indiana.
IU Athletics revealed that Hoosier The Bison’s first public appearance will be at Memorial Stadium on August 30 during the 2025 football season opener against Old Dominion. The moment will mark a significant return for a mascot that has been absent from IU athletics since the late 1960s, despite lingering affection from many corners of the university community.
While some may wonder why a bison would be chosen to represent Indiana University, the answer lies in the state’s own history. The bison has been an official symbol of Indiana for more than 200 years, predating Indiana’s admission into the Union. Back in 1801, when William Henry Harrison served as the Governor of the Indiana Territory, the bison was featured prominently on government seals and documents. These seals showed a woodsman clearing land while a bison roamed freely in the foreground—an image symbolizing both expansion and the wild frontier. That imagery remains part of the Indiana state seal today.
Given this historical context, IU’s choice to embrace the bison as its mascot is not random but rather rooted in a broader tradition. The university itself shares this connection, dating back to the 1960s when the bison first appeared on campus as a mascot.
The bison’s story at IU began in 1965, thanks to efforts from the IU Student Athletic Board and the IU Student Senate. Their original plan was bold: they wanted the university to purchase an actual live bison, which would live at Brown County State Park when not attending IU games or events. Unsurprisingly, state and university officials pushed back on this idea, raising concerns about safety and logistics.
Instead, IU settled on a student dressed in a bison costume. The first costumed mascot appeared at the Old Oaken Bucket game on November 20, 1965. That initial costume, though, was far from perfect and quickly gave way to a more realistic design introduced in 1966 with the help of a Los Angeles-based company.
That version of the mascot became something of a fixture during IU’s Big Ten Championship and 1968 Rose Bowl appearance. However, the realistic costume was difficult to maneuver in, which led to further redesigns in subsequent years. By 1969, enthusiasm for the bison had faded, and IU gradually phased it out.
Even after the official mascot disappeared from IU’s sidelines, the bison’s influence persisted across Bloomington in subtle but meaningful ways. Nick’s English Hut, a campus-adjacent restaurant founded in 1927, adopted the bison as part of its branding in the 1960s and continues to use the image today.
Furthermore, the IU heraldic coat of arms—first adopted in 1962—features a crimson bison along with symbols representing light, truth, and knowledge. IU’s Army ROTC Bison Battalion, dating back to 1917, has also kept the bison as part of its identity throughout the decades.
The bison even made appearances in athletics during the 1980s and 1990s under Head Coach Bill Mallory, when IU Football players wore helmet stickers featuring a silhouette of a bison paired with the IU trident logo. More recently, bison mascots have made guest appearances at Little 500 races and events hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Fast forward to December 16, 2024, when IU’s student government made the bison’s comeback official by reaffirming it as the campus mascot. This time, IU Athletics was asked to take the lead on the project—developing a fresh, modern mascot while keeping the traditions of the past in mind.
IU Athletics says that Hoosier The Bison will not replace the university’s nickname, ‘Hoosiers.’ Rather, the mascot serves as a visual embodiment of IU’s spirit and traditions, complementing the longstanding identity of the school.
The mascot’s unveiling on August 30 is expected to draw significant attention from both fans and alumni, many of whom remember the bison fondly from its previous stints at IU. Hoosier The Bison is poised to become a prominent figure at athletic events, community gatherings, and campus functions moving forward.
In addition to its physical appearances, Hoosier The Bison will also have a presence on social media platforms such as X and Instagram, where fans can follow updates and news about upcoming events and merchandise. IU Athletics has teased that more information about official Bison-themed apparel and other fan gear will be shared later this summer.
The reintroduction of Hoosier The Bison is about more than just bringing back a mascot—it represents a rekindling of school pride, a nod to history, and a unifying figure that bridges the past and future for IU’s Bloomington campus.
“The Bison is back in Bloomington.” These words resonate not just as an announcement but as a celebration of tradition restored. Hoosier The Bison’s return is likely to bring a new energy to IU’s student body, alumni, and fan base as they cheer for their teams under the banner of both Hoosiers and bison.
IU’s decision to revive the mascot highlights the unique ability of tradition to connect generations of students, alumni, and fans. It reflects the university’s willingness to listen to its student body and act on their desire to restore an important piece of campus history.
And as the countdown to the football season continues, there’s little doubt that Hoosier The Bison will take its place at the heart of the action—ready to inspire, entertain, and proudly represent Indiana University Bloomington for years to come.
