Indiana's National Championship Trophy Tour Stops in Notre Dame's Backyard

More than 1,000 fans turn out to see the Hoosiers' historic haul in South Bend, just miles from Notre Dame Stadium.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:40pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in bright crimson and cream colors, depicting an abstract scene of Indiana's national championship trophies on display and surrounded by a crowd of enthusiastic fans.The Indiana Hoosiers' national championship trophy tour brings the team's historic hardware to the doorstep of in-state rival Notre Dame, sparking a celebratory community gathering.South Bend Today

As part of a nine-city tour around the state, the Indiana Hoosiers' national championship trophies, including the Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff trophy, spent the afternoon on display at Indiana University South Bend, just three miles from Notre Dame's campus. Despite the proximity to their in-state rivals, the Hoosiers' fans were eager to celebrate the program's first national title, with some waiting over 90 minutes to get a glimpse of the historic hardware.

Why it matters

Indiana's national championship run was a Cinderella story, as the Hoosiers had long been one of the worst football programs in the country. The trophy tour is a chance for the team and fans to savor the moment and share their triumph with the broader Indiana community, even if it happens to take place in the backyard of their longtime rival Notre Dame.

The details

The trophy tour made nine stops around the state, including all five of IU's extension schools, plus four other locations. The IUSB stop drew over 1,000 fans, with the line still snaking through the building after it had closed for the night. Fans waited patiently to take photos with the complete set of trophies, including the Heisman, College Football Playoff trophy, and the Old Oaken Bucket.

  • The trophy tour stop at IUSB took place on Thursday afternoon.
  • Indiana won the national championship in the 2024 season.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, who led the program to its first national championship.

Pat Coogan

The starting center for the Indiana Hoosiers and a team captain, who previously played for Notre Dame.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

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What they’re saying

“I never thought this would happen and I don't know if it will ever happen again. I'm trying to participate in all of it, do as much as I can.”

— Chris Luchene, Indiana fan

“Notre Dame has won plenty of trophies. So it's good to share the shine. Just as long as it's anybody but Purdue.”

— Jason Cook, Indiana fan

“For us it doesn't matter. Now, you did challenge me a little bit to how I can use it as motivation. Maybe I'll go back to my office and think about this? I'm always looking for ways to motivate the guys.”

— Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame head coach

What’s next

Indiana is scheduled to return to South Bend to play Notre Dame in 2030, with the Irish set to play in Bloomington in 2031.

The takeaway

Indiana's national championship triumph has captured the imagination of the state, with fans eagerly turning out to celebrate the program's historic accomplishment. The trophy tour is a chance for the Hoosiers to share their success with the broader Indiana community, even if it means bringing the hardware to the doorstep of their longtime rival Notre Dame.