1. Hep’s Rock: The best IU football tradition is the most symbolic and profound. Former IU Coach Terry Hoeppner found a limestone boulder on the practice field in his first season in Bloomington.
He had it moved to its current location in the north end zone where every player would touch the rock before each game. After his death from a brain tumor, the rock now serves as a memorial to him.
Today, players touch the rock before running onto the field. The rock will always have a special place with the IU program because anything tapping into emotion and legacy makes for a distinctive tradition.
2. Uniforms and Helmets: IU isn’t Oregon when it comes to crazy uniform combinations, but IU’s uniforms are always terrific. The team doesn’t change it up when it comes to jerseys and pants because the Hoosiers have a few sets that really work.
The helmets are awesome. From the chrome to the state flag, they really draw you in and set IU apart from most other teams. IU hasn’t done anything too crazy with the uniforms yet. When you don’t have a traditional look, it’s fun to make being different a tradition.
3. The Fight Song: Every school has a fight song, and IU’s is one of the better ones out there. It sparks passion and pride into the fanbase, while uniting IU fans past and present.
Best of all, it is played after every IU touchdown, so if you are hearing it, you know IU scored. It’s quintessential college football.
Bonus points for the fists and blades at the end of the song, which sets it apart from other fight songs.
4. Raise the Flag: After an IU victory, a giant IU flag is raised above Memorial Stadium to proclaim a Hoosier victory. The crimson flag is massive and can be seen from far away on campus.
What’s better than seeing this sign that IU has won, especially after a big victory? “Raise the flag” also doubles as cool motivational slogan.
5. Third Down Shark Chomp: Whenever the Hoosiers are on the defense and need a stop on third down, IU fans are prompted to make noise and do the shark chomp.
While it might resemble Florida’s gator chomp, the Jaws music and the arm motion create an intense atmosphere inside Memorial Stadium. It would be higher on the list, but it’s a shark chomp, which has zero direct ties with the state of Indiana or Hoosiers.
