“Hoosier” is not an animal costume mascot like many other schools use; it is the nickname for a person from the state of Indiana and serves as Indiana University’s team name and identity.
Word meaning
A Hoosier is the common, long-established term for a resident of Indiana, used as the state’s official demonym since the 1800s. Indiana University’s athletic teams are called the Hoosiers to represent people from the state rather than a specific creature or character.
Mascot vs. nickname
Historically, IU experimented with physical mascots like an owl, raccoon, and especially a bison, but none became a permanent, universal figure on the sidelines. The school emphasizes that a Hoosier is “not a mascot” in the usual sense but a proud member of the IU community and the broader Indiana family.
