The Indiana Hoosiers represent one of the most iconic programs in college sports. Known for their excellence in Indiana Hoosiers basketball and a proud tradition in Indiana Hoosiers football, they compete in the Big Ten Conference. Their history features championships, legendary players, and unforgettable moments that have shaped NCAA athletics for over a century.
College Sports Established
1899
Location
Bloomington, Indiana
College Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
1899 – Present / Big 10
Nickname
Hoosier - The Indiana Hoosiers are one of the most storied teams in college sports. The team's long and proud history dates back to 1887 when it was founded as the Indiana University Bloomington Men's Basketball Team. But what many people don’t know is where their iconic nickname comes from.
Indiana Hoosiers Origin
The origin of “Hoosiers” can be traced back to settlers who moved into southern Indiana during the early 19th century, mainly from Virginia and Kentucky. These newcomers were referred to affectionately by other locals as “Hoosier Hillbillies” or simply “Hoosiers." This term became so popular that it eventually spread throughout Indiana, becoming an unofficial state nickname for anyone living in or near the Hoosier State.
So how did this term become associated with IU? It appears that some students at IU began using "Hoosier" informally around the 1890s to refer to themselves and each other; they even printed up shirts with "Indiana Hooiser" on them! From there, newspapers started referring to IU athletics teams (most notably basketball) collectively as "the Hoosiers," which caught on quickly among fans inside and outside campus walls—and thus began one of college sports' greatest traditions!
Today, whether you're cheering for your favorite player at Assembly Hall or just showing off your school spirit elsewhere around town—you can proudly proclaim yourself a part-time member of #TeamHoosier!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 5
1987, 1981, 1976, 1953, 1940
Women's Basketball 0
Football 1
2026
Soccer 8
2012, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1988, 1983, 1982
- 1982
- 1987
- 1999
- 2004
- 2012
- 2013
- 2025
-
Hoosiers’ 1st NCAA championship
In 1982: The men’s soccer team won the national championship, defeating Duke in the NCAA Tournament Final. The 1982 championship started it all. IU won again in 1983, 1988, 1998, 1999, and 2003. The 2003 season was Yeagley’s last. He ended his career with a 544-1-45 record in 31 seasons and six NCAA championships. IU has since won two more ... -
1987 Hoosiers Basketball Title
The 1987 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men’s NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1987, and ended with the championship game on March 30 in New Orleans, Louisiana. A total of 63 games were played. Indiana, coached by Bob Knight, won the ... -
1999 NCAA Championship
In 1999: The men’s soccer team wins its fifth national championship, defeating Santa Clara in the NCAA Tournament Final. -
Indiana Hoosiers men’s soccer team wins its seventh national championship
In 2004: The men’s soccer team wins its seventh national championship, defeating UC Santa Barbara in the NCAA Tournament Final. -
Hoosier Soccer Champs Again in 2012
The 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament is a single-elimination tournament involving 48 teams to determine the champion of the 2012 NCAA Division I men’s soccer season. It was the 54th edition of the tournament. Indiana defeated Georgetown, 1–0, to win its 8th national title. -
Hoosiers baseball team reaches the College World Series
In 2013: The baseball team reaches the College World Series for the first time and becomes the first Big Ten school to do so since 1984. -
Undefeated Hoosiers Wins National Title
The Indiana Hoosiers completed a historic undefeated 16–0 season by defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27–21 to claim the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. Led by Head Coach Curt Cignetti and Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana secured it’s first-ever football national title. Mendoza’s clutch fourth-quarter touchdown run and Jamari Sharpe’s late interception at Hard Rock Stadium sealed the victory. This ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Indiana Hoosiers History
The Indiana Hoosiers are one of the most storied athletic programs in NCAA history. Known especially for Indiana Hoosiers basketball and Indiana Hoosiers football, the school has cultivated legends, championship teams, and a deeply loyal fan base. Competing in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers have left an indelible mark on college sports through decades of success and perseverance.
The Indiana Hoosiers football program dates back to the late 19th century, with the team competing in various forms before the formation of the Big Ten. Over time, Indiana football secured conference titles and bowl appearances, though it often played in the shadow of the school’s basketball successes.
On the hardwood, the Indiana Hoosiers basketball program is celebrated widely. Indiana has won five NCAA men’s basketball championships (1940, 1953, 1976, 1981, and 1987)—including the perfect 1976 season, the last undefeated men’s champion in NCAA Division I. Under coaches like Branch McCracken and Bob Knight, Indiana Hoosiers basketball set standards in tradition, defense, and national prominence.
The Indiana Hoosiers also field a competitive baseball program. Indiana baseball has a long history stretching back into the late 19th century; in modern times, Indiana Hoosiers baseball has made multiple NCAA Regional appearances, claimed Big Ten regular season championships, and even advanced to the College World Series in 2013. The program now competes in the Big Ten, playing home games at Bart Kaufman Field.
Beyond these flagship programs, the Indiana Hoosiers athletics department supports many other sports, and have produced All-Americans, Olympians, and professional athletes across football, basketball, baseball, and beyond. That breadth is part of what makes Indiana Hoosiers athletics admired nationwide.
Hoosiers Achievements
In Indiana Hoosiers basketball, notable achievements include the five NCAA championships, eight Final Four appearances, and the perfect season in 1976—still the last time a men’s Division I team finished undefeated. The program has also claimed over twenty Big Ten regular season titles and produced numerous NBA players and Hall of Famers.
For Indiana Hoosiers baseball, achievements include seven Big Ten regular season championships, four Big Ten tournament championships, and a run to the College World Series in 2013. Indiana’s baseball teams have also made many NCAA Regional appearances, contributing to the university’s multi-sport legacy.
With storied histories in Indiana Hoosiers basketball, Indiana Hoosiers football, and Indiana Hoosiers baseball, the Hoosiers continue to build on a legacy of excellence. Their achievements across eras underscore the program’s resilience, ambition, and capacity to produce greatness on both the court and the field.
