Indiana Hoosiers football is set to celebrate its rich history by introducing retro uniforms, reminiscent of the iconic designs worn during Coach Bill Mallory’s successful tenure. These vintage-inspired Indiana Hoosiers Uniforms are part of the Adidas Reverse Retro Collection and will make their debut on September 18th during a sold-out home game against Cincinnati. Fans eager to own a piece of Hoosier history can purchase these Indiana Hoosiers uniforms starting September 6th at adidas.com, Fanatics.com, and the Indiana University Bookstore.
The retro Indiana Hoosiers uniforms offer a striking contrast to the current team apparel. A key design change is the return of the classic Block I logo on the helmet, complete with bold black and white center stripes and a black facemask, elements that evoke a sense of nostalgia for longtime Hoosier fans. Another significant alteration is the jersey, which proudly displays “Hoosiers” across the chest, a departure from the current “Indiana” lettering, further enhancing the vintage feel of these special edition Indiana Hoosiers uniforms.
Coach Bill Mallory, the winningest coach in Indiana Hoosiers football history, led the program through a golden age from 1987 to 1996, the very era these retro Indiana Hoosiers uniforms commemorate. During the 1987-93 seasons, Mallory’s teams achieved a remarkable 47-32-3 record, punctuated by five bowl game appearances and victories in the 1988 Liberty Bowl and the 1991 Copper Bowl. This period also saw the Hoosiers consistently ranked among the top teams in the Big Ten Conference.
These successful teams featured legendary Indiana Hoosiers players, most notably Anthony Thompson, the 1989 Heisman Trophy runner-up and a two-time Big Ten MVP. Thompson’s Hoosier career saw him break NCAA records for rushing yards, touchdowns, and single-game rushing yards. Other notable players who donned similar Indiana Hoosiers uniforms during that era include All-American running back Vaughn Dunbar, NFL quarterback Trent Green, and Big Ten MVP wide receiver Ernie Jones, solidifying the historical significance of these retro Indiana Hoosiers uniforms.
