A bison will as soon as once more be roaming the sidelines at Indiana residence video games. The college formally reinstated its bison mascot after a 56-year hiatus.

From 1965-69, Indiana athletics featured the bison mascot, nevertheless it was scrapped following the 1969 season due what the college describes as a scarcity of help from the fan base. Nevertheless, in December of 2024, the Pupil Physique Congress handed the “Deliver Again the Bison Act” which referred to as on the college to reinstate the previous mascot.

That is precisely what Indiana did on Monday. After teasing the bison’s return in Might, the Hoosiers made it official, asserting that Hoosier the Bison will make his debut at Indiana’s season-opener towards Outdated Dominion on Aug. 30.

The hyperlink between Indiana and the bison could appear random, however there’s a connection that spans over 200 years in the past — earlier than the state even existed. The official seal of the Indiana Territory featured bison operating within the background, however that is not all. In response to the college, a bison was featured on official Indiana Territory paperwork, which have been signed by future president William Henry Harrison.

Although the unique bison’s tenure was short-lived, it did get to see one of many biggest seasons in Indiana soccer historical past. In 1967, the Hoosiers went 9-2 and made a Rose Bowl look. Possibly Hoosier the Bison can convey again a few of that magic this fall.

That will not be out of the query contemplating Indiana is coming off an 11-2 document and a School Soccer Playoff look in 2024.