The Indiana Hoosiers. Every student at IU knows our name, but do they know what a Hoosier is?
It is common knowledge that IU has no mascot attached to it, so, the school goes by the enigmatic term: Hoosiers. The folklore surrounding this term is sporadic and a confirmed origin behind the name has not been found.
“The Rise and Fall of Campus Mascots at Indiana University,” a journal by Jennifer Nailos, highlights some of the theories behind the origin of Hoosier. The theories range from a man who built a canal on the Ohio River, pioneers who would often be seen removing ears as trophies or the thick accent Indiana residents had when asking “who’s there?” when a knock came at the door.
The only clear definition of a Hoosier is an Indiana resident or, more specifically, a student at IU. However, IU did experiment with a few other ideas for mascots in its long history, dating back to 1820.
In 1923, according to Nailos’ journal, there was an article from the IDS seeking to have a goat as IU’s first mascot. When this didn’t work, students continued trying.
In 1935, through some popular demand, the mascot sought was a collie. However, not enough money was raised in time to purchase the collie for a rival game, according to Nailos’ journal.
The 1950s were liberal times for mascot changes, according to Nailos’ journal. The mascots of this decade included the Hoosier Schoolmaster in 1951, the Crimson Bull in 1956 and a bulldog named Ox in 1959.
In 1965, IU had its first official mascot — the Bison — but ran into trouble with many aspects of the large mascot. Purchasing and maintaining a live bison would be extremely difficult and expensive. IU elected to have a costumed student represent the school’s new mascot, however, the costume caused the person inside to stumble around the field or gymnasium, according to Nailos’ journal.
After many disputes between the administration and students, the Bison was abandoned as IU’s mascot.
In 1979, an attempt was made once more, this time with Mr. Hoosier Pride, but to no surprise this mascot worked only as well as the others and was abandoned the same year it was introduced, according to Nailos’ journal.
Whether it was because of economic problems, administrative and student disagreements or a failure to unify and represent the campus, every mascot attempt ultimately failed. This is why IU is still known as the Indiana Hoosiers.
Even though Hoosier is an ambiguous term, students at IU seem to take pride in being known as one, for many different reasons.
“It embodies Indiana,” said freshman Emily Carrico. “You can’t say some animal embodies a state.”
The Hoosier is an iconic symbol of IU, and there is a vast amount of tradition surrounding the name.
“It’s definitely unique to IU,” junior Jason Market said. “It’s whatever you want to make it. It doesn’t have to be a thing.”
Graduate student Bailie Whittakre found it strange that students of IU were known as Hoosiers but said you identify more strongly once you’re affiliated with IU.
“Being brought into this as an older student is interesting,” Whittakre said. “I enjoy being part of the Hoosier Nation.”
A fondness for how unique the representation of IU is seemed to carry over through many students.
“It represents us in a certain way that I think is good,” freshman Thano Liodos said. “It’s our own word.”
When asked about changing to mascot to something traditional, some students had trouble thinking about what they would change it to. Others wouldn’t want it changed at all.
“I don’t want it to change,” Market said. “There’s too much history.”
Market was not alone in his opinion.
“I don’t think it could, nor should it, because of the tradition,” Whittakre said.
Some students offered their suggestions if the mascot was to ever be changed.
“Maybe a bald eagle — make it patriotic,” Carrico said.
Liodos shared Carrico’s idea.
“Something predominate,” Liodos said. “A type of bird — a falcon, maybe, or an owl.”
