Despite having over 200 years to develop a brand and marketing, Indiana University lacks in one area— it has no mascot.
It’s not for a lack of trying. During the 1900s, IU tested out a slew of mascots, from an owl to a raccoon to dogs, but none ever stuck. Finally, in 1965, IU’s student senate unanimously voted for the bison to represent IU.
The push for the bison was founded on Indiana’s history. They were once native to Indiana but were hunted close to extinction. Now, only about 100 live in a protected prairie in northwestern Indiana. A bison is also pictured at the bottom of the state seal.
IU ran into trouble figuring out how to put a bison on the field. The initial idea was to purchase a live bison, but feeding, housing and training one would pose too many problems, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, which conserves endangered species, public land and national parks, eventually shut the plan down.
Instead, a bison costume was purchased by the Student Athletic Board. The design left much to be desired— the bison costume’s lateral eyes, lack of arms and hunched posture made it difficult for whoever was in the costume to move on their own, let alone perform tricks or gimmicks to entertain the crowd. Instead, they were led around the field by a rope.
The bison mascot only lasted until 1969, but the push to bring it back has resurfaced 55 years later. Late last year IU’s Student Government voted to pass a bill that would reinstate the bison as IU’s official mascot. The move came after a poll on their Instagram story found that nearly three-quarters of respondents favored bringing it back.
The bill stated that the Bison had sporadically reappeared at IU events and that reinstating it would “enhance the sense of pride and unity among students, faculty, alumni and other supporters of IU athletics”.
But until the university makes an official move, the fate of the furry bovine will remain in limbo.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's Source print publication March 3, 2025.
