The debate surrounding the return of the bison as Indiana University’s mascot had been brewing for months. It began with a whisper among a few dedicated alumni, and now it was a full-fledged conversation. As the news spread through social media, the arguments exploded. Fans on both sides rallied behind their reasons for either reviving the long-lost mascot or keeping the current one.
IU had first introduced the bison as its mascot in the 1800s, a nod to the natural history of the region and its fierce, wild spirit. However, over time, the bison had been phased out in favor of the more familiar Hoosier, an identity rooted in the state’s settlers and its evolving culture. Yet, the sight of the bison, strong and untamed, seemed to strike a chord with people—especially those who felt that IU had lost a bit of its original, rugged soul.
“There’s something primal about the bison,” argued Carl, a passionate alum who had watched IU grow from a small state school into the powerhouse it was now. “The bison represents resilience, independence, and strength—qualities we need to remind ourselves of in the competitive landscape of college sports. We aren’t just a basketball school; we’re rooted in history. The bison embodies that.”
For Carl and others, the idea of bringing back the bison wasn’t about nostalgia, it was about reconnecting with the essence of what made Indiana University great. The bison was a symbol of the wild and untamed spirit of the land long before the establishment of the university. To them, this connection to the past felt essential in a modern world often dominated by corporate-sponsored teams and generic mascots.
On the other side, there was Emily, a current student who found herself deeply skeptical of the push to resurrect the bison. “Sure, the bison sounds cool in theory,” she said with a thoughtful frown, “but the Hoosier identity is so much more relatable to the everyday person. The Hoosier, with its roots in the people of this state, resonates with students, faculty, and alumni alike. It’s not some lofty symbol, it’s about community. I get why people want the bison back, but I don’t think it’s going to do anything for us now.”
Emily, like many students, felt a strong bond with the Hoosier mascot, a figure that represented both the common folk and the evolving spirit of Indiana. The Hoosier wasn’t just a mascot—it was a living, breathing idea that celebrated the state’s rich cultural heritage. It was approachable and inclusive, not something that felt distant or out of touch.
But then, there was Dean Harrison, who stood somewhere in between. A member of the university’s administration, he had seen the evolution of IU’s image firsthand. “The Hoosier identity has served us well, but there is merit in looking back and seeing what made us who we are,” he mused. “A compromise might be in order. What if we integrate the bison in some capacity, like for special events or sporting campaigns? That way, we honor our past without turning our back on the present.”
For some, the solution seemed simple: create a hybrid identity, one that fused the enduring spirit of the bison with the current Hoosier persona. A mascot that could capture the best of both worlds—a reminder of IU’s wild, untamed beginnings, while staying rooted in the strong sense of community that had made the university what it was today.
As the debate continued, one thing was clear: the return of the bison had sparked something deeper within the IU community. Whether or not the mascot would return, the passion behind the conversation had reminded everyone that Indiana University was more than just a school—it was a place where history, spirit, and identity collided. And that, more than any mascot, was what made IU truly great.
