Yes, I’m well aware that Indiana is called the Hoosier State, even though this name’s derivation is a bit murky, but I propose a far more appropriate name that comes with great justification: the Stadia State. I came to this conclusion after visiting the campus of the University of Notre Dame.*

The University of Notre Dame’s campus is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful university campuses around the world, and is noted for the Golden Dome, the Basilica, the Grotto and its many statues and museums. It has grown from the Old College, used as a residence, bakery, and classroom, into a campus of 1,250 acres that includes 170 buildings and athletic fields.

But you have to drive quite a distance to find the oldest part of the campus. As you approach the campus, all that you see are the various stadia that now occupy the campus; the above is one of the biggest, where the Fighting Irish football team…well, fights. (Actually, all of the unversity’s athletic teams are know collectively as the Fighting Irish.) There are several more stadia.

At the end of our drive through the Notre Dame campus, I was impressed at its beauty, but moreso at how remarkable that a university can be recognized as one of the top universities in the United States, and also gained such prominence in the athletic world. To name just a few: 7 Heisman Trophy winnders, 13 athletics in the Pro Hall of Fame, and 17 national chamionships in various sports.

So with all this input, and also realizing there are many more Indiana schools that have proven excellence in their athletics, I believe Stadia State is most appropriate.

*”Hoosier” is the official name for the People of Indiana, but its origin is debatable. It was in general use by the 1840’s, having been popularized by John Finley’s 1833 poem, “The Hoosier’s Nest.” There is an entire body of scholarship surrounding its etymology. If you’re interested, check out https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosier.