Why Indiana bringing its football trophies around the state really, really matters

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Why Indiana bringing its football trophies around the state really, really matters
Jan 24, 2026; Bloomington, IN, USA; A general view of the National Championship trophy and the Coaches Trophy Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during the Indiana Football College Football Playoff National Championship celebration and parade at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Indiana fans filled stadiums in Indianapolis, Pasadena, Atlanta and Miami this past season during the football program’s run through the College Football Playoff.

Hoosier fans met the moment and then some, giving the team an extra jolt of crowd energy throughout its run up to the championship game, where the cream and crimson clad faithful forced Miami to call timeout to avoid a delay of game in the Hurricanes own home stadium. The team rewarded that energy with trophy after trophy, from the Big Ten championship to the College football Playoff National Championship.

Several fans got to see head coach Curt Cignetti hoist these trophies in person. Others stayed home in Indiana and watched on television because, well, travel is expensive. Indiana Athletics has taken the extra step of making sure these fans get an in-person glimpse of history.

The National Championship Trophy Tour includes several trophies Indiana won this past season, which is so many that the Hoosiers can’t feasibly bring all of them. The tour travels to all parts of the state from the north to the south.

Anyone who knows Indiana knows that it’s essentially three different states in one with the northern, central and southern portions of the state being culturally different. All parts of the state send students to Indiana University and cheered on the football team this past season. Even South Bend, where the tour stopped earlier in April.

Giving those fans who couldn’t travel a chance to see the Hoosiers’ success in person is a meaningful gesture from the athletic department. No doubt multiple future Hoosiers have paid them a visit.

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