A “Hoosier” mascot refers to the mascot representing Indiana University (IU), whose teams are called the Hoosiers, meaning people from the state of Indiana. Today, IU’s on-field costumed mascot is a bison character named Hoosier the Bison , which stands in for the otherwise abstract nickname “Hoosiers.”

What “Hoosier” Means

  • “Hoosier” is the long-standing nickname for residents of Indiana, and IU adopted it as its athletic nickname in the early 20th century.
  • The word itself does not describe an animal or object, which is why IU historically did not have a traditional, obvious mascot like a tiger or bulldog.

The Actual Mascot: Hoosier the Bison

  • Indiana University uses a costumed bison character called Hoosier the Bison as its official mascot for IU–Bloomington athletic events and campus spirit.
  • The bison was chosen because bison historically roamed southern Indiana along routes like the Buffalo Trace, tying the mascot to the state’s landscape and heritage.

Why a Bison for a Hoosier?

  • Since “Hoosier” just means an Indiana person, IU needed a visual symbol that still felt rooted in Indiana; the bison fits that role while the teams remain the Hoosiers.
  • The bison mascot had existed decades ago, disappeared, and was later revived after a student-led push known as the “Bring Back the Bison” effort, which restored Hoosier the Bison as the campus mascot.

In Simple Terms

  • “Hoosiers” = people from Indiana and the nickname for IU teams.
  • The Hoosier mascot = a bison costume called Hoosier the Bison that represents IU’s Hoosiers at games and events.