IU offers much for students but also has a wide range of traditions that make IU the campus it is. An important tradition for students in their educational endeavors is shaking the hand of the statue of Herman B Wells. Wells was a former IU president, so students seek out his statue before each semester for good luck in their courses.
From basketball to football, IU takes sports seriously. If you're a sports fan, one trip to Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall makes the traditions list. Hoosier Hysteria is a tradition in Bloomington to introduce the new basketball teams in a day full of fun and basketball including dunk and three-point contests.
Every fall, IU Dance Marathon raises millions of dollars for Riley Children’s Hospital. The event takes place over an entire weekend when students dance for 36 hours straight for those who can’t.
Every spring, IU is home to the Little 500, two bike races including a men’s and women’s race. Little 500 weekend has been called “the greatest college weekend,” and it lives up to the hype.
Hoosier spirit and pride are a main tradition at IU. The fight song is sung at about any IU function from ceremonies to sporting events. Knowing the fight song and the movements that go with it are musts. When the final “IU” is shouted, Hoosiers put up their hands in fists to represent an “I” and then bring them down to shoulder height and make blades for the “U.”
And finally, the candy stripes. IU is known for the iconic candy stripe basketball pants, but now, it has turned into all IU gear.
The striped cream and crimson design has become a fashion statement by Hoosiers and allows them to show their stripes.
