But has it always been that way? For several decades, IU has tried to instate a mascot that encompasses the spirit and pride of the Bloomington campus.
In 1923, the IDS published an article seeking support to purchase a goat as an official school mascot, but the idea never reached reality. This proposal, however, “planted a seed for future discussion of (a mascot),” according to Jennifer N. Nailos in the Journal of the IU Student Personnel Association.
By 1935, the idea brought with it an election sponsored by Blue Keys honorary society at the Powwow banquet before homecoming. The student body voted on several mascot ideas, ultimately deciding to implement a Collie as the campus mascot. However, the students were unable to raise the $75 needed to purchase the dog and were unable to attain the mascot in time for the homecoming football game.
In December of 1951, the Hoosier Schoolmaster was instated as the IU mascot, based off one of the folktales that tell the origin of a “Hoosier.” Dressed in 19th-century clothing and adorning a wig and a cane, the schoolmaster’s job was to hobble around the basketball arena, slowly gaining momentum and athletic ability as the band picked up tempo, ?according to Nailos.
Student gymnast Dick Albershardt portrayed the mascot and was able to create a routine that was ?engaging for the audience. Because of the ability requirements, however, it was hard for many students afterward to follow in his footsteps. In 1952, the Hoosier Schoolmaster was retired, mostly because people started associating the mascot with Albershardt as a person, not the character he was supposed to be ?portraying.
Following these attempts at instating a mascot for the IU campus came other, short-lived ideas.
The Crimson Bull was initiated by the Greek community in 1956, and in 1959, Ox the Bulldog was brought into the picture.
Belonging to Theta Chi fraternity, Ox sported a crimson sweater and supported the teams from the sidelines, but the Bulldog lacked a crowd-pleasing act like that of the Hoosier Schoolmaster. The Crimson Bull nor Ox the Bulldog lived to see a full year of sports performance.
By 1965, the IU Student Senate adopted another official mascot, the bison, which is also featured on the Indiana State Seal. There were obstacles of ?purchasing, training and maintaining a real bison, so the student body decided to make an alternative.
The first appearance of the bison mascot was at the bonfire pep rally of 1965 before a football game against Purdue. A student wore a mask and a furry jumpsuit, which was not seen as a strong symbol.
The bison was retired two years later because fans complained that the mascot was poorly designed, embarrassing and non-inspiring.
The last unofficial mascot attempt was instated in 1979. Mr. Hoosier Pride was designed by Athletic Director Ralph Floyd and featured a cowboy hat and a large, caricature smile. In the 1970s, IU was the only Big Ten University without a mascot.
Mr. Hoosier Pride was, like many other mascots, disliked by students, alumni and fans, and retired that same school year, according to Nailos.
Today, IU stands behind its Hoosier reputation, simply meaning a person or group of residents from the state of Indiana.
