Traditions
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana University first claimed the term Hoosiers during the 1923 football season, when the team nickname became the Scrapping Hoosiers.Not only is Hoosier the nickname for Indiana's athletic teams and residents of Indiana, but it is also one of the oldest state nicknames – coming into use in the early 1800s. John Finley of Richmond, Indiana wrote the poem, "The Hoosier's Nest". In the poem, the word "Hoosher" seems to refer less to the pioneers of Indiana and more to the qualities he thought they possessed, like self-reliance and bravery. In 1848, Bartlett's Dictionary of Americanisms defined Hoosier as "a nickname given at the west, to natives of Indiana."
In January 2017, the U.S. Government Publishing Office released an updated version of its style manual, a guide that has directed the language usage for printing and publishing since 1894. Formerly known as Indianans, residents of the state are now officially recognized by the federal government as Hoosiers.
Trident
The trident is the official logo of Indiana University. Originating as early as 1898, the current version of the trident is used institution-wide and at the unit level. Many of the early examples of the symbol were used for athletic purposes. IU is one of few NCAA schools who use one logo for the university and athletics.
Cream and Crimson
Indiana's school colors were chosen by the class of 1888 to confront the problem of multiple colors. Crimson and black were the school colors, and the senior class' colors were cream and gold. In order to eliminate confusion, they combined the two color groupings for the binding and introduced the cream and crimson.
Candy Stripes
Legendary Indiana coaches James "Doc" Counsilman and Hobie Billingsley outfitted Indiana's swimmers and divers in candy stripes in the 1960s to better spot them at the pool, creating what would become an iconic IU design.
Men's Basketball began wearing candy stripes during warm-ups in 1971-72, the first season in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The stripes quickly became a fan favorite, growing more popular and more identifiable with Indiana in the 1980s. Since then, even more IU teams have adopted them.
Championship Stars
Stars represent the ultimate intercollegiate athletic accomplishment – a national team championship. The stars may appear in a line, on an arc, or under various sport marks and equal the number of national championships that sport has earned.
No Names on Jerseys
Indiana's uniforms are known for the simple, clean, classic look that tradition implies. The most prominent example of this has long been the Men's Basketball uniforms – the classic look and nod to the notion of "team over self". The absence of players' names on uniforms has now been adopted by Indiana's athletic teams (with the exception of Football), consistent with the department's Brand and Uniform Guidelines.
The Spirit of Indiana
Indiana's standard for setting priorities, allocating resources, and making decisions. It’s both who we are and who we aspire to be.
We are able people of integrity who play by the rules.
We are well in mind, body and spirit.
We reach our highest academic potential and earn Indiana University degrees.
We reach our highest athletic potential and win championships.
We are unselfish leaders and teammates.
We represent Indiana University with passion, appreciation, respect and distinction.
We are positive, responsible, inclusive and integrated with our University.
We are a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Fists and Blades
One of the ways to show your school spirit, learn how to cheer on the Hoosiers the proper way.
Hep's Rock
During his first season as Indiana Football Head Coach, Terry Hoeppner found a limestone boulder on the practice field. It was moved to its current location in Memorial Stadium's north end zone where players would touch the rock before each game. Since his passing, Hep's Rock now serves as a memorial and players touch the rock prior to competition.
Hoosier Army
Named for Indiana Men's Soccer fans – the Hoosier Army has a long history, dating back to the Jerry Yeagley coaching era. Yeagley referred to the soccer supporters of all ages as his army. Bill Armstrong, who was nicknamed Army, was instrumental in Indiana soccer becoming a varsity sport in the 1970s. The group name later morphed into Hoosier Army.
Hoosier Hysteria
Named after the Indiana state high school basketball championship. Originally, the excitement stemmed from the inclusion of all tournament entrants into the same tournament bracket. Basketball season begins with Hoosier Hysteria, this event kicks basketball season into high gear with lots of pageantry.
Martha the Mop Lady
During the mid 1970s, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance ads included this iconic campaign. The ad often ran prior to Indiana Basketball games on local television channel WTTV-4. For roughly 20 years, Martha was displaced due to game broadcasts expanding to national networks. It was not until 2010 when Martha reappeared; this time,on the video board prior to tip-off.
Mascots
Ox the bulldog was a fan favorite in the late 1950s, but was never named an official mascot for the Hoosiers. His owners were members of Theta Chi.
On October 14, 1965, a unanimous resolution by the Student Senate adopted the bison as the first official mascot. Rooted in state history and pictured on the state seal, bison were once a common sight south of Bloomington. Indiana University decided to retire the Bison completely in 1969.
In 1979, another attempt at a mascot was introduced: a red-bearded man in a cowboy hat called “Mr. Hoosier Pride.” He was retired after only one football season.
Victory Flag
Located in the southeast corner of field, Memorial Stadium's flagpole is the tallest in college football (154.5'). Installed in 2013, it is dedicated to all Indiana alumni veterans.
After every Indiana Football win, the enormous Victory Flag is raised by members of the Student Athletic Board.
Barn Burner Trophy
The Barn Burner trophy is given to the winner of the Indiana-Purdue women's basketball game and was introduced during the 1993-94 season. The wood plaque resembles a barn with a basketball hoop attached. The winners of each game are marked on the plaque in red (Indiana) or gold (Purdue) with the score of the game.
Golden Boot
The Golden Boot trophy was first introduced in 2002 for the Indiana-Purdue women's soccer rivalry. After each victory, the winning team takes the trophy home and adds a letter to the chain attached to the gold-dipped soccer shoe. On each letter, the date and score of the match is engraved.
Monon Spike
The Monon Spike was introduced in 1981 for the Indiana-Purdue volleyball rivalry. It is a reference to the historic Monon Railroad in the state.
Old Brass Spittoon
The Old Brass Spittoon trophy is given to the winner of the Indiana-Michigan State football game.
When the original spittoon was found, inside was a note that read it was in use during the 1800s at a trading post. As the story goes, residents of both Michigan and Indiana would pass by the trading post and use the spittoon while hunting and fishing in Michigan.
Old Oaken Bucket
The Old Oaken Bucket trophy is made to resemble a wooded well, with a chain made of bronze block "I" and "P" letters representing Indiana and Purdue.
The team who wins the traditional football game each year has possession of the Old Oaken Bucket until the next game. The winner of the bucket also gets an "I" or "P" link added to the chain of the bucket with the score, date, and city where the game was played engraved.
Purdue alumnus Fritz Ernst and Indiana alumnus Whiley J. Huddle were appointed to find a suitable oak bucket. They found such a bucket at the Bruner family farm between Kent and Hanover in southern Indiana. The bucket might have been used at an open well on the Bruner family farm settled during the 1840's.
The inaugural Old Oaken Bucket Game ended in a 0-0 deadlock on November 21, 1925, in Bloomington resulting in the very first and most visible link, an "I-P" link, being added to the handle of the bucket.
Governor's Cup
The Governor's Cup is awarded in the Indiana-Purdue rivalry. It was first introduced in the fall of 2001 as the Titan Series, renamed the Crimson and Gold Cup in the fall of 2004, and the name was again changed to its current name in the fall of 2013.
The schools accumulate points based on the results of head-to-head competition or standings at the Big Ten Championships for each of their sports and the athletic department with the most points at the end of the year wins the trophy. A total of 20 points are available in the competition – one point for each sport in which both schools compete in.
William Tell Overture
Known as The Greatest Timeout in the History of College Basketball. During the under eight minute timeout in the second half of basketball games, the Big Red Basketball Band plays the "William Tell Overture." Cheerleaders race from out of the tunnel and onto the court waving 18 flags, the majority used to spell out Indiana Hoosiers. As the song comes to a close, the band transitions into "Indiana, Our Indiana", which ends just in time for the buzzer to sound as the crowd yells "I-U" in unison.
Hail to Old IU
Indiana's official alma mater, "Hail to Old IU," was first performed on March 10, 1893 in Indianapolis. J.T. Giles, who organized the Indiana glee club, wrote the words to a Scottish song in order to give the Hoosiers a school song for a performance at a state contest.
Come and join in song together,
Shout with might and main;
Our beloved Alma Mater,
Sound her praise again.
Gloriana Frangipana, E'er to her be true.
She's the pride of Indiana,
Hail to Old IU!
Indiana, Our Indiana
"Indiana, Our Indiana" was first performed in 1912 during a football game against Northwestern by the Indiana Band. Student bandleader Russell P. Harker wrote the words for the song. The melody is "The Viking March", by Karl King.
Indiana, Our Indiana,
Indiana, we’re all for you!
We will fight for the cream and crimson,
For the glory of old IU!
Never daunted, we cannot falter,
In the battle, we’re tried and true!
Indiana, Our Indiana,
Indiana, we’re all for you!
The Walk
One of the exciting traditions for Hoosier fans on game days is The Walk. Fans, the Marching Hundred and cheerleaders gather to show their support for the football team as they make their pregame walk to Memorial Stadium in preparation for victory.