A Bison Sideline Mascot

[76-1]

I'd just find the most realistic looking fake Bison head out there (or better..., contract with whoever makes that sort of thing to come up with two of them [a primary and a backup]...)

Have the head and horns be the focal point with long sleeves and long pants covering all else aside from the wrist and hand area... We' d have to come up with a couple of fake hooves to cover the hands and wrists...

Once again, stay far away from the clown look and lean towards realism... (Ped Pete is a great example of the ultra creepy "clown look" and what Not to do)...

Just a "Keep It Simple stupid" approach that could have things up and running rapidly and not have a great deal of upkeep and expenditure after the initial outlay for the two heads...

One key would be to find someone at least 6'2" with broad shoulders to wear the head...

The kids under 7 or 8 would love him...

My Avatar endorses this concept. 😎
He's willing to allow his image and likeness to be used as a prototype model if needed...

 

[sparkeyreturns]

What is up with the Bison? 99% of everyone under 60 would have no concept of the Bison even being related to IU out of Nicks.

 

[76-1]

What is up with the Bison? 99% of everyone under 60 would have no concept of the Bison even being related to IU out of Nicks.

Everyone who watched that Bison run on the big screen used to love it... That wasn't all that long ago... ((Besides I promised Univee I'd get on this in January so I'm finally getting around to it 😖))..

 

[sparkeyreturns]

Everyone who watched that Bison run on the big screen used to love it... That wasn't all that long ago... ((Besides I promised Univee I'd get on this in January so I'm finally getting around to it 😖))..

I bet when it was shown there was a large segment that was wondering why or probably assumed it was somehow related to the state of Indiana. Trust me. I am old, 48, and have followed IU football since Anthony Thompson and I only know of the Bison because of this board. Outside of this board, and Nicks, I would have zero context.

 

[IU_Hickory]

How about a bison burger eating contest before each game? lol

 

[vesuvius13]

IU does need a bison on the sideline and 76-1 has a good idea about it. The kids would love it and I bet the students at IU would love it with some that is good in that outfit.

 

[Tammany Hall]

Why not. Maybe it’s a Cig era thing. Everyone loves a mascot, especially kids. If it doesn’t work just drop it.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

COLUMN: The case for IU to bring back the bison mascot

The bison mascot lasted from 1965-1969, Indiana’s most successful mascot attempt.

www.idsnews.com

 

[Al Bino]

What is up with the Bison? 99% of everyone under 60 would have no concept of the Bison even being related to IU out of Nicks.

Haven't you heard, a bison is on the state seal.
Indiana automatically jumps into anyone's mind when bison are mentioned even though there hasn't been a wild bison in Indiana for well over a 100 years!
IMO, a forced marriage at best. How many years would sideline commentators have to explain why there is a bison as IU's mascot?
If it was done tactfully, I wouldn't oppose it, but I have zero confidence in IU doing that.

 

[Blood brother]

Haven't you heard, a bison is on the state seal.
Indiana automatically jumps into anyone's mind when bison are mentioned even though there hasn't been a wild bison in Indiana for well over a 100 years!
IMO, a forced marriage at best. How many years would sideline commentators have to explain why there is a bison as IU's mascot?
If it was done tactfully, I wouldn't oppose it, but I have zero confidence in IU doing that.

We’d be getting a late start but I like the bison idea. Southern Indiana claims the Buffalo Trace, a hugely important early byway from now New Albany to Vincennes. The wild buffalo created the trail over centuries of annual migration from the Plains to Kentucky. (Hence Buffalo Trace bourbon).

 

[Rags to Roses]

We’d be getting a late start but I like the bison idea. Southern Indiana claims the Buffalo Trace, a hugely important early byway from now New Albany to Vincennes. The wild buffalo created the trail over centuries of annual migration from the Plains to Kentucky. (Hence Buffalo Trace bourbon).

For those who need an Indiana History refresher

A bit of Buffalo Trace history

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

Like 76 said KISS, classy and purposeful. Yes a big guy being the Buff is an important need.

 

[Tammany Hall]

In the recent Washington Post article on the Little 500:

"Then, victory. A place in Little 500 history. A trophy, a red and white lei, and — for some reason — a small stuffed buffalo as prizes."

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

The Fightin’ Hoosier Bison is unstoppable.

Try and tackle this sumbitch

And buy your girl a hat for the games:

 

[iubud]

Everyone who watched that Bison run on the big screen used to love it... That wasn't all that long ago... ((Besides I promised Univee I'd get on this in January so I'm finally getting around to it 😖))..

The bison video on the big screen was awesome. Someone in our group mentions how the miss it. I hope they do something new that doesn't suck or bring the bison video back. Oh yeah, BRING BACK THE WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE!!!

 

[IU_Hickory]

 

[vesuvius13]

The bison video on the big screen was awesome. Someone in our group mentions how the miss it. I hope they do something new that doesn't suck or bring the bison video back. Oh yeah, BRING BACK THE WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE!!!

William Tell has nothing to do with Indiana except for our small town on the Ohio River "Tell City".

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Haven't you heard, a bison is on the state seal.
Indiana automatically jumps into anyone's mind when bison are mentioned even though there hasn't been a wild bison in Indiana for well over a 100 years!
IMO, a forced marriage at best. How many years would sideline commentators have to explain why there is a bison as IU's mascot?
If it was done tactfully, I wouldn't oppose it, but I have zero confidence in IU doing that.

I will not list all the mascots which have no real connection to their state or school, but will say that “boilermakers” do not bring to mind anything favorable.

 

[IU_Hickory]

William Tell has nothing to do with Indiana except for our small town on the Ohio River "Tell City".

That and the song is played for basketball team

 

[Al Bino]

In the recent Washington Post article on the Little 500:

"Then, victory. A place in Little 500 history. A trophy, a red and white lei, and — for some reason — a small stuffed buffalo as prizes."

Exactly what I am talking about. The Washington Post had no idea!

 

[Al Bino]

I will not list all the mascots which have no real connection to their state or school, but will say that “boilermakers” do not bring to mind anything favorable.

And I would imagine that most of those schools like the one in WL, have used those names forever.
I guess it isn't too late but I think it will be hard to get it going.
IU would still be the Hoosiers and would have a bison as a mascot???
How many schools have a mascot that has nothing to do with the name of their sports teams?

 

[Sonap]

I was waiting for this annual post.

Something is happening though. The Lil 500 gave the winners a stuffed buffalos and said that it was anew tradition. And the Buffalo themed Lil 500 tshirts sold out.

 

[E.Z.Rider]

And I would imagine that most of those schools like the one in WL, have used those names forever.
I guess it isn't too late but I think it will be hard to get it going.
IU would still be the Hoosiers and would have a bison as a mascot???
How many schools have a mascot that has nothing to do with the name of their sports teams?

Right off the top of my head; Alabama Crimson Tide is an elephant, Western Ky. Hilltoppers is a towel. I'm sure I could find more if I was to study on it. (props to Andy Griffith).

 

[76-1]

Exactly what I am talking about. The Washington Post had no idea!

That's a pretty regular thing (having no idea) with the Washington Post... I wouldn't let that concern you...

 

[HoosierAlum07]

In a previous thread about this subject, I submitted for IU to become the Yaks. Yaks are a similar bovine animal that resemble bison. I think there are more Yaks in Indiana per capita now than Bison. Plus IU fans like to yak alot!

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

I was waiting for this annual post.

Something is happening though. The Lil 500 gave the winners a stuffed buffalos and said that it was anew tradition. And the Buffalo themed Lil 500 tshirts sold out.

Things such as this limited T-shirts slam dunk drives me to think this could build pretty fast and easy. Real proactive action to give this buffalo mascot for IUFB a sincere attempt with the realization the possible need to adapt and improvise the product for 2-3 years till it's what we like. What the hell, this isn't the reach of a drum, fake train engine and some clown-shoed character with a sledgehammer is.

 

[red hornet]

One could always convert an AI robot & dress it up as a bison!

 

[76-1]

My avatar says the bulk of the western Bison family is a little embarrassed by their lightweight, metrosexual, cousin who's spent far too much time hanging out in a Connecticut Zoo and they haven't been in touch for years...,but..., whoever drew his caricature probably did actually come fairly close to capturing what a puny human would look like wearing a small Bison head...

He also said:
Lose the cigarette and the goggles and add another inch and a half to the horns, bulk him up a touch all around and you might have a reasonable facsimile of a young Bisons head...

Looks like whoever drew that did a nice job with the fore-hooves too...
Sportsman's guide has an Italian Army Trigger Finger Overmitt that might preclude having to fabricate fake fore-hooves...:

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/italian-military-surplus-waterproof-trigger-mitten-covers-4-pack-new?a=2230834

They also have a Czech version (but you'd have to pull out the liners and vent it somehow or they'd be too warm):

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/czech-military-surplus-m55-trigger-mitts-6-pairs-like-new?a=2271096

Looks like we're nearing a potential tentative template to present to Scott Dolson...

Well Done.

Carry On...

 

[IU_Hickory]

In a previous thread about this subject, I submitted for IU to become the Yaks. Yaks are a similar bovine animal that resemble bison. I think there are more Yaks in Indiana per capita now than Bison. Plus IU fans like to yak alot!

yakkity yak, don't come back

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

Haven't you heard, a bison is on the state seal.
Indiana automatically jumps into anyone's mind when bison are mentioned even though there hasn't been a wild bison in Indiana for well over a 100 years!
IMO, a forced marriage at best. How many years would sideline commentators have to explain why there is a bison as IU's mascot?
If it was done tactfully, I wouldn't oppose it, but I have zero confidence in IU doing that.

Nah….start a tradition and no explanation needed. Plenty of examples out there of schools with mascots that become tradition and have no apparent ties.
Auburn Tigers - release the War Damn Eagle” prior to games. Didn’t know a war eagle was part of their official mascot but they do it and everybody knows it. It’s not part of their nickname. Didn’t even know that “war eagles” were connected to the state? Eagles and Tigers are a perfect match, everyone knows.
Roll Tide - hey, let’s stick an elephant in there for the mascot. Makes perfect sense.
Stanford - the foam tree tied in perfectly with a Cardinal. Another perfect union.
The WKU Hilltoppers - chose a red blob…because everyone knows a Hilltopper looks like something like Grimace from McDonalds.

New era of football. Kids are getting paid. Change is needed. Embrace it. All the old school of thought can go out the window. A mascot for IU is no more a shock to the system than pay for play and amateur free agency. Go with the new era and embrace radical change.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

What is up with the Bison? 99% of everyone under 60 would have no concept of the Bison even being related to IU out of Nicks.

99% of those under 60 are more obsessed with selfies. It would create no more turmoil in their life introducing a new mascot. People have bigger things to worry about like taking pictures of their food and posting it for all to see.

 

[Sonap]

Lil 500 Buffalo tshirt. Only 2xl left

Official Online Store

 

[IU_Hickory]

I don't mind the idea of a person dressing up as a bison. much better than a real bison idea that had been floated on here years ago.

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

Nah….start a tradition and no explanation needed. Plenty of examples out there of schools with mascots that become tradition and have no apparent ties.
Auburn Tigers - release the War Damn Eagle” prior to games. Didn’t know a war eagle was part of their official mascot but they do it and everybody knows it. It’s not part of their nickname. Didn’t even know that “war eagles” were connected to the state? Eagles and Tigers are a perfect match, everyone knows.
Roll Tide - hey, let’s stick an elephant in there for the mascot. Makes perfect sense.
Stanford - the foam tree tied in perfectly with a Cardinal. Another perfect union.
The WKU Hilltoppers - chose a red blob…because everyone knows a Hilltopper looks like something like Grimace from McDonalds.

New era of football. Kids are getting paid. Change is needed. Embrace it. All the old school of thought can go out the window. A mascot for IU is no more a shock to the system than pay for play and amateur free agency. Go with the new era and embrace radical change.

Triple DITTO!

 

[Univee2]

Everyone who watched that Bison run on the big screen used to love it... That wasn't all that long ago... ((Besides I promised Univee I'd get on this in January so I'm finally getting around to it 😖))..

I want a real bison, snorting like hell and pawing the ground. Take him on a road trip to West Lafayette and let him drop a load on the 50-yard line.

Go all out or don’t go at all . . . .

 

[Tammany Hall]

I don't mind the idea of a person dressing up as a bison. much better than a real bison idea that had been floated on here years ago.

Colorado has the real bison/buffalo (yea I know they’re not the same) covered with Ralphie.

 

[IU_Hickory]

Colorado has the real bison/buffalo (yea I know they’re not the same) covered with Ralphie.

Poor ralphie

 

[goody1986]

Everyone who watched that Bison run on the big screen used to love it... That wasn't all that long ago... ((Besides I promised Univee I'd get on this in January so I'm finally getting around to it 😖))..

Not true. Old timers loved it but the student section always watched in confused silence. I'm probably in the minority on this site, but that video was always awful and cheesy. The bison really does not connect with IU. A mascot doesn't have to be a thing - it can just be a costumed human character. A Hoosier, afterall, is a human.

 

[jsenleo]

... Why just a Bison?.... How about a Bison BURGER mascot!!... Not to promote McD's but looking kinda like Mayor McCheese or even The Hamburgalar!

 

[mobilehoosier]

I'm all in on the Bison. Not any dumber than somebody using a mascot named after a place in Greece over 2,600 years ago. Just saying. Go Hoosiers!