'What's in the box?' Indiana trailer has fans wishing for bison mascot return
A stampede of fans clamored for the return of an Indiana mascot not seen since 1969: the bison.
Debuted in the 1920s and used on and off until 1969, a bison mascot has not-so-subtly been hinted as a return as IndyStar's Dana Hunsinger Benbow detailed in March. The latest of which was posted by IU Athletics on social media in a video that included animal noises and had someone guarding a box that read "DO NOT OPEN," "DANGER" and "ATHLETICS" on the box.
A scene of three men was shown with the supervisor telling an employee, "Remember to turn out the lights. Remember to lock up and whatever you do, don't touch that." The employee says, "I got it. I got it. I got it," in a sarcastic manner before the third man points and sternly says, "No, he's serious. Don't touch that."
The two men leave and the employee walks on gravel to a stool where he sits in front of the aforementioned box. Then, he says to himself, "Stuck here all night with nothing else to do, I'll open that box if I want to." He begins to open the box and, after slightly opening it, intense music plays as he runs away as a black glove with four fingers appears to hold up the box before it fades to a "to be continued" screen.
Thus, it would appear a mascot is returning to IU's sidelines. When the 2025 Indiana football schedule was released, there were more hints at the bison's return. Several graphics used bison imagery, notably of the Penn State game with a bison glaring down at a Nittany Lion.
Watch the trailer below and see fan reactions.