6-Banner Sunday: Bison mascot returning to IU athletics

  • Jun 1, 2025 6:31 am
 

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production between The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall, where we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

After weeks of hints from IU, the return of a previous mascot was announced several days ago. Also, an annual fan-favorite event took place on Wednesday with coaches Darian DeVries and Curt Cignetti.

Besides this, a couple of former Hoosiers wrapped up their series in the NBA playoffs and roster updates, amongst other things. As usual, we will conclude with weekly shows and a look at other Indiana sports, led by football announcing game times for some of their matchups.

Here is what is in this week’s edition:

• Bison mascot returning to IU athletics
• Hoosiers Connect NIL event at Huber’s Winery
• Indiana Pacers and Thomas Bryant advance to the NBA Finals
• IU coaching staff announced, ITH transfer portal spotlight
• Back Home Network shows
• Hoosier Roundup

Banner #1 – Bison mascot returning to IU athletics

For several weeks, IU athletics has been hinting through social media videos that a mascot was coming. On Tuesday, it was officially revealed what it would be. It turns out that said mascot will be a return of the bison used in the 1960s.

While this animal once roamed the entire Hoosier state, it has since been extirpated from the wild in this region. With that said, it is still on the state seal of Indiana and can be found in the preserved environments of Kankakee Sands and Ouabache State Park, amongst other places.

Now with official endorsement from the higher-ups in the athletic department, a Bison will be seen in costume form at IU sporting events.

Banner #2 – Hoosiers Connect NIL event at Huber’s Winery

One of the favorites amongst Hoosier fans in May is a yearly fundraising event at Huber’s Winery in Southern Indiana. The gathering brings in money for NIL and is put on by Hoosiers Connect.

As always, the featured speakers were IU’s top coaches. Cignetti is headed into his second season while DeVries will replace Mike Woodson this coming fall. Both spoke about their squads at the get-together with a couple of gridiron players making an appearance as well.

Banner #3 – Indiana Pacers and Thomas Bryant advance to the NBA Finals

The two former Hoosiers facing off in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals continued in their series all week. The players going head-to-head are O.G. Anunoby and Thomas Bryant.

Anunoby competes for the New York Knicks and is easily the more successful of the two who once donned the Cream and Crimson. He is a starter and averaged 18 points a game for his squad during the regular season.

However, Bryant is part of the team that competes in Indiana and is just up the road from Bloomington. While he is the backup center to Myles Turner, he plays a critical role off the bench for the Pacers at times.

Many Hoosier supporters have gotten their ideal scenario. Anunoby played quite well in each contest, while the in-state Pacers came out victorious in the series.

Either way, though, Bryant will be playing for an NBA Championship after a brilliant game six clinching performance. Also, the Pacers will be the ones making their first finals appearance since 2000. If the Pacers raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy, it will be their first title since the 1970s (and this was in the ABA).

Banner #4 – IU coaching staff announced, ITH transfer portal spotlight

Several other news stories occurred this week, involving the roster among other things. Inside the Hall continued its series previewing each player on the IU roster. The players looked at over the last few days are Tayton Conerway, Jason Drake, Nick Dorn, Sam Alexis, and Josh Harris. ITH also started to look at each Big Ten squad in detail beginning with Rutgers.

Also, more details about the previously announced Puerto Rico trip emerged, and the rest of the assistant coaching staff was officially confirmed. Finally, a highlight video for a Hoosier recruiting target was put out.

Banner #5 – Back Home Network shows

The Back Home Network was also on air multiple times this week. An Assembly Call offseason podcast and Crimson Cast both had shows over the last few days.

Banner #6 – Hoosier Roundup

• Football announced game times for several matchups this fall. Also, star defender Mikail Kamara received preseason honors.

• Women’s basketball added a couple of graduate managers.

• Soccer announced a date change for one of its matches, a couple of transfer additions, and the ability to vote for former Hoosiers who could participate in the MLS All-Star Game.

• Volleyball released its schedule for this fall, which includes its home match with Purdue being moved to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

• Softball’s Taylor Minnick was named an All-American while Brianna Copeland and others were also honored.

• Swimming and diving saw former program great and Olympic champion Lily King announce her retirement from the professional ranks at the end of this season.

• Track and field competed at the NCAA East Regional.

• Rowing competed at the NCAA Championships.

Thanks for your continued support of The Assembly Call and Inside the Hall. We’ll be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

Aaron (Ari) Shifron
Assembly Call Contributor

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