Welcome Week, Aug. 18-22
When students move in or return to Bloomington, Welcome Week begins. IU puts on a series of events during the week including CultureFest, a cultural food fest; Spirits and Traditions of IU, an IU pep rally; and more to welcome students back to campus.
This year’s edition concludes with a concert on Aug. 23 featuring Krewella and Chance the Rapper. Visit fye.indiana.edu/orientation/welcome-week for more information.
Homecoming, Oct. 13-17
Every fall across the country, schools and groups organize special activities for their alumni. IU is no different.
The week features a variety of events such as a parade, a “Nearly Naked Mile” run and the Homecoming football game against Michigan State on Oct. 18.
Alumni and students alike participate in tailgating, or small cookouts and parties that take place in the stadium parking lot and nearby fields before the big game.
IUDM, November
IUDM is IU’s dance marathon, the second largest student-run philanthropic organization in the nation. Students work year round fundraising and raising awareness for Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital for Children, and every fall the 36-hour dance marathon occurs.
The event includes dancing, performances and the sharing of stories from families benefitting from Riley Hospital’s stories. To get involved or learn more about IUDM, visit their website at iudm.org.
Little 500, April 24-25
Every spring, teams of four make their way around the quarter-mile cinder track at Bill Armstrong Stadium in the country’s largest collegiate cycling race. Men and women ride in separate races, with the men completing 200 laps, or 50 miles, and the women completing 100 laps.
The annual Little 500 race has brought several celebrities to town to watch the race. President Barack Obama made a stop at the 2008 women’s race while on the campaign trail and professional cyclist Lance Armstrong once called it “the coolest event I ever attended.”
IU Athletics, year-round
IU has more than 600 student athletes involved in 24 varsity sports. If there’s one thing that’s great about going to a large public university such as IU, it’s all of the spirit and traditions surrounding our athletics. In the fall, go out to a soccer game. IU’s men’s soccer team won the national championship in 2012.
Our football team might not have the best record, but it’s worth going to a game at Memorial Stadium. In the winter and spring, start practicing your cheers for the IU basketball season. The Crimson Guard is the largest basketball student section in the country, and the fans are always yelling loud for our team in cream and crimson at Assembly Hall.
IU Fight Song
“INDIANA, OUR INDIANA”
Learn the words of the song students sing during athletic events to cheer on our teams.
Indiana, our Indiana
Indiana, we’re all for you
We will fight for the cream and crimson
For the glory of old IU
Never daunted, we cannot falter
In the battle, we’re tried and true
Indiana, our Indiana
Indiana, we’re all for you!
Lyrics by Russel P. Harker and music from “The Viking March” by Karl L. Kin.
