After an extended wait, the Indiana Hoosiers‘ Bison mascot is formally again in Bloomington.
On Tuesday morning, following a build-up that included 4 teaser promotional movies that includes cameos from football coach Curt Cignetti, men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries and multiple acting roles from senior affiliate athletic director Jeremy Grey, the Hoosiers made official what had been hinted at for the previous week and a half.
Indiana’s announcement video drew from “Star Wars” and Michael Jordan’s iconic return to the NBA in 1995 to inform the story of the bison mascot’s origins and, finally, verify it might be returning.
Lastly unleashed. 🦬
Welcome again dwelling, @HoosiertheBison. pic.twitter.com/hMotSXeF0A
— Indiana Hoosiers (@IUHoosiers) May 27, 2025
In response to the video’s transient historical past lesson, the bison — which used to roam the Bloomington space and is featured on the state’s seal — served because the college’s mascot from 1965 to 1969, earlier than disappearing from utilization.
The mascot did not depart Bloomington solely although — the bison has lengthy been the symbol of Nick’s English Hut, an area pub. As not too long ago as December, the college’s pupil authorities passed a bill advocating for its official return.
Indiana’s announcement video mentioned the mascot, named Hoosier, will make its official debut this fall. The reveal provided little element as to the mascot’s costume, although a zoomed-out video of Hoosier peering over Memorial Stadium confirmed a bison head sporting a purple shirt and candy-striped pants.