After a long wait, the Indiana Hoosiers' Bison mascot is officially back in Bloomington. The announcement was made through a series of teaser videos featuring cameos from football coach Curt Cignetti, men's basketball coach Darian DeVries, and senior associate athletic director Jeremy Gray. The final reveal drew inspiration from 'Star Wars' and Michael Jordan's iconic return to the NBA in 1995.

The History of the Bison Mascot

According to the video's brief history lesson, the bison -- which used to roam the Bloomington area and is featured on the state's seal -- served as the university's mascot from 1965 to 1969, before disappearing from usage. The mascot didn't leave Bloomington entirely though -- the bison has long been the symbol of Nick's English Hut, a local pub. As recently as December, the school's student government passed a bill advocating for its official return.

The Mascot's Return

Indiana's announcement video said the mascot, named Hoosier, will make its official debut this fall. The reveal offered little detail as to the mascot's costume, though a zoomed-out video of Hoosier peering over Memorial Stadium showed a bison head sporting a red shirt and candy-striped pants.

Community Reaction

The return of the Bison mascot has been met with enthusiasm from the Indiana community. Fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, with many sharing memories of the mascot's previous appearances. The university's official Twitter account also shared the announcement video, which quickly garnered thousands of views and retweets.

Future Appearances

Hoosier, the Bison mascot, is expected to make regular appearances at Indiana Hoosiers' games starting this fall. The university has hinted at more surprises in store for fans, including potential mascot interactions and special events.

For more updates on the Indiana Hoosiers and their Bison mascot, stay tuned to our sports coverage.