Tomorrow is a big day in my world.
The day marks the full return of college football across the country.
There are two games I will be following:
- Old Dominion at Indiana
- Alabama at Florida State
Following the successful football season at Indiana last year, members of the student government sought to fill a void in the football program’s history: the lack of a mascot.
In October 1965, Indiana adopted a bison as the school’s mascot. But four years later, the bison had disappeared chiefly from athletic events. (Technically, there have been other mascots introduced, but none had the impact or appeal of the bison.)
So in December 2024, the student government debated and voted on the Bring Back the Bison Act of 2024.
And it passed.
Resoundingly.
A social media poll garnered 72% of voters supporting the return of the bison.
Then it was put in the hands of the athletic department.
There have been some comments made here and there before the official announcement. A video post on the Indiana Hoosiers X account broke the silence. “Finally unleashed.“
Exactly how Hoosier the Bison will be revealed at Memorial Stadium tomorrow is still unknown. But I will be watching intently to see Hoosier’s debut, and looking forward to starting the season 1-0.
If you would like to do a deep dive into the history of Indiana University and the bison, check out How Indiana lost, remembered, and revived its 50-year-old bison mascot published by ESPN.
PHOTO CREDIT: The return of the Bison is announced. (Indiana University Athletics)
