Indiana College Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hoosiers

IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system, and was founded in 1820 as the State Seminary. Their nickname is that of the state itself, Hoosiers, the origin of which is somewhat debated, the most common theory being that it is a contraction of "who's here?".

Indiana is a member of the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and is most noted for its men's basketball squads which won five national titles between 1940 and 1987.

Answer: Purple Aces

Evansville is the third most-populated city in Indiana, and UE was founded there in 1854 as Moores Hill College. The Purple Aces nickname stretches back to the 1920's when the basketball coach of rivals Louisville claimed that UE coach John Harmon had five aces up his sleeve. Purple is the main colour of the school's uniforms. UE is a member of the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference, although they haven't fielded a gridrion team since 1997.

Answer: Cardinals

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Delaware County, and is named after its founders, the Ball brothers, local industrialists. The school was originally nicknamed the Hoosieroons, but changed to Cardinals in 1927, inspired by the St Louis Cardinals (MLB) logo. Ball State is a member of the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Their gridiron team had a unfortunate record in post-season bowl games, going 0-7 before breaking their duck with a 34-13 victory over San Jose State at the 2020 Arizona Bowl.

Answer: Wildcats

Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is located in Marion, Grant County. It was founded in 1920 as Marion College, adopting its current name in 1988. The school's Wildcats nickname is a very common one, used by numerous colleges throughout the USA. IWU is a member of the NAIA Crossroads League for most sports, although their gridiron team competes in the Mid-States Football Association.

Answer: Fighting Irish

The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842 in South Bend, St Joseph County. The Fighting Irish nickname dates back to the early 20th century, although there are conflicting theories as to its origin. Notre Dame are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference for most sports.

However, their gridiron team, one of the most storied in the nation, has always remained independent.

Answer: Ravens

Anderson University was founded in Anderson, Madison County, in 1917, originally as Anderson Bible Training School. The school's nickname was Tigers until 1937 when Ravens was adopted. Anderson is a member of the NCAA Division III Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Answer: Sycamores

Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Vigo County, and was founded in 1865 as Indiana State Normal School. ISU's unusual nickname was chosen due to the preponderance of sycamore trees in the area. The Sycamores are members of the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference (the gridiron team play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference).

In 1979, their men's basketball team reached the final of the 1979 national championship, with future NBA legend Larry Bird on board, but lost to a Michigan State team featuring Magic Johnson.

Answer: Bulldogs

Butler University was founded in Indianapolis in 1955 and is named after its founder, Ovid Butler. The school's Bulldogs nickname is an alliterative one and is shared by many colleges across the USA. The Bulldogs are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference for most sports, and the Pioneer League for gridiron.

Answer: Boilermakers

The flagship campus of Purdue University is based in West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County. Founded in 1869, the school is named after benefactor John Purdue. The Boilermakers moniker has existed since a newspaper report used that name in 1891. Purdue are members of the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and have enjoyed some of their greatest success on the basketball court - the women's team won the national title in 1999, with the men finishing as runners-up in both 1969 and 2024.

Answer: Beacons

Valparaiso University was founded in 1859 in Valparaiso, Porter County. The school's teams were known as Crusaders for many years, before deciding to have a new one in 2021. The Beacons name was chosen as it alludes to the university's motto "In Thy Light We See Light". Valparaiso is a member of the NCAA Division I Missouri Valley Conference, with their gridiron team playing in the Pioneer Football League.