Basketball Game Day Traditions
Candy Stripes
Legendary swimming and diving coaches Doc Counsilman and Hobie Billingsley outfitted IU swimmers and divers in candy stripes to better spot them at the pool, creating what would become an iconic IU design. The men’s basketball team began wearing candy striped warm-ups in 1971-72, the first season in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. The stripes quickly became a fan favorite. Over the years, the stripes grew more popular and identifiable with IU. More sports adopted the stripes and fans wore them too, making candy stripes an IU phenomenon.
Championship Banners
Nothing embodies basketball success like the championship banners adorning the rafters in Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall. Among the banners are five national championship seasons, twenty-five big ten championships, Final Four appearances, and other achievements which help define Indiana Men’s and Women’s Basketball.
Martha The Mop Lady
Roughly ten minutes before every home game, the crowd rises and joins in song together as the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall videoboard features the iconic 75-second Martha the Mop Lady video.
In 1971, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance became the sole sponsor of Indiana Basketball broadcasts on central Indiana-based television station WTTV (Channel 4). By mid-decade, Farm Bureau Insurance television ads were always shown prior to the start of every Indiana game broadcasted on the station. The ads featured Martha Webster, an opera singer and actress dressed as a cleaning lady, singing the IU fight song while sweeping the hallways of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Over time, the ads became more and more popular, running for more than a decade until Indiana games were broadcast more frequently on national TV, thus ending the local ad campaign. For more than two decades, Martha was out-of-sight until 2010 when the TV commercial was reintroduced at home games as part of the videoboard show.
Big Red Basketball Pep Band
For nearly 100-years, the Big Red Basketball Band has entertained fans and cheered-on the basketball Hoosiers during home games in Bloomington. The 100-member ensemble is comprised of the top musicians from the Marching Hundred and is situated on gamedays within the student section of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Greatest Timeout In College Basketball
The under-8 minute media timeout in the second half, dubbed “The Greatest Timeout in College Basketball” dates back to 1980 and has been performed nearly 1,000 times over the years. The two-minute soundtrack for this Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall tradition is the “William Tell Overture” – a song easily recognizable as the theme song to “The Lone Ranger” – which the Big Red Basketball Band blends into a rousing rendition and arena sing-along of “Indiana, Our Indiana” fight song. Noise levels commonly reach over 100 decibels during the performance which is comparable to a jet flyover or jackhammer. Between 30 and 40 enthusiastic cheerleaders enhance the moment with intricate choreography that also includes 18 IU flags. Join in the fun with your fellow Hoosiers during this fan favorite tradition!
Cheerleaders and RedSteppers
Everyone knows IU cheerleaders support the team and cheer the Hoosiers onto championship moments. However, IU cheerleaders are also champions in their own right. The IU cheerleading program has claimed the Division I National Championship six times! Catch the squad in action during home games inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Adding an element of sparkle with show-stopping routines and dazzling high kicks, the RedSteppers dance team is a performs special pregame and halftime routines during select home basketball games each season. Founded in 1972, the 30-member RedSteppers squad is part of the Marching Hundred and performs at football games during the fall as well as many other IU sporting events during the year
North and South Lobbies
The north and south lobbies of Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall house sculptures and historic objects related to Indiana Basketball’s proud tradition. The collection was funded by a generous gift from Bill and Juanita Beach, lifelong Indiana University and IU Basketball supporters. The collection includes five bronze sculptures depicting great moments and players in Indiana Basketball history. The center-court portion of floor, used from 1976-1995, is on display in the north lobby along with the original goals installed in 1971. Hanging on display in the south lobby, fans will see the arena’s scoreboard, used from 1983-2005. The restored scoreboard features working parts that track the score of current home games. Finally, Men’s and Women’s Big Ten basketball championship trophies are on display in the south lobby in special trophy cases.
Student Section
The student section of Hoosier Nation stands steadfast every home game in support of Indiana Basketball! More than 10,000 students purchase student season tickets every year to Basketball games, helping to make the Hoosier student section one of the largest and loudest student sections in the nation.
SAB Hoosier Hype Crew
With an arsenal of t-shirt guns, prize giveaways, and yes…even a long-range hot dog shooter, the Hoosier Hype Crew, powered by members of IU’s Student Athletic Board, perform high energy and sometimes-zany routines throughout game-day to keep Hoosier fans energized! Be on the lookout for these energetic ambassadors-of-fun!
Student Athletic Board
The Student Athletic Board – The Spirit Behind IU Sports – is a student-led spirit group responsible for encouraging student involvement and support of all 24 IU varsity sports. Founded in 1956, SAB oversees the official men’s and women’s basketball student section activities for Hoosier Nation, and facilitates a variety of IU-sports centered, philanthropic, and student leadership development events throughout the year.
