Indiana Hoosiers to Visit White House on May 11 After Historic 16-0 Championship Season

Key facts

• Indiana Hoosiers football team will visit the White House on Monday, May 11, 2025.
• The Hoosiers finished the 2025 season with a 16-0 record, winning their first national championship.
• Indiana defeated the University of Miami 27-21 on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium.
• Quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Eight Indiana players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, with six others signing as undrafted free agents.
• Indiana's men's basketball program has five national titles; this is the first football championship.
• Ohio State was the last football program to visit the White House, on April 14, 2025.

A Historic Visit for an Undefeated Season

The Indiana Hoosiers football team, national champions for the first time in program history, will visit the White House on Monday, May 11, to celebrate their undefeated 2025 season. Sources confirmed the visit to multiple outlets, with Outkick’s Dan Dakich first reporting the news. The Hoosiers capped a perfect 16-0 campaign with a 27-21 victory over the University of Miami on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium. The visit continues a tradition of championship-winning teams meeting the President at the White House. Alabama became the first college football national champion to do so in 1961. Indiana's men's basketball team, which has five national titles, was the first college basketball champion to visit in 1976. The most recent football program to make the trip was Ohio State, on April 14, 2025.

Star Quarterback and NFL Draft Success

Starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza was a central figure in Indiana's championship run, winning the Heisman Trophy before being selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft. His leadership and performance were key to the Hoosiers' undefeated season. Eight Indiana players were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft last weekend, and six others signed as undrafted free agents. The championship roster is now scattered across the country, but Indiana is aiming to bring back as many players as possible for the White House visit.

First Football Title for a Basketball Powerhouse

Indiana's national championship is the first in football for a university long known for its men's basketball program, which has won five national titles. The Hoosiers' football team had never reached such heights before, making the undefeated season and championship victory a landmark achievement. The 16-0 record includes a College Football Playoff title, cementing the team's place in history. The White House visit will honor not only the championship but also the perseverance of a program that had previously been overshadowed by its basketball counterpart.

Reunion Amidst NFL Careers

With many players now beginning their professional careers, the White House visit presents a logistical challenge. Indiana is working to coordinate travel for players spread across NFL teams. The university aims to gather as many members of the championship roster as possible for the May 11 event. The visit will be a reunion for teammates who achieved something unprecedented. For many, it will be a chance to reflect on a season that saw them go from unranked to national champions, a story that captivated college football.

Tradition and Precedent

The tradition of championship teams visiting the White House dates back to 1961, when Alabama's football team first made the trip. Indiana's basketball team followed in 1976, setting a precedent for other sports. The Hoosiers' football visit continues this legacy, joining a select group of college football champions honored at the White House. Ohio State's visit on April 14, 2025, was the most recent before Indiana's. The Hoosiers' trip will be the first for a football program from Indiana, adding to the state's sports history.

What Comes Next for Indiana Football

The White House visit marks the culmination of a historic season, but questions remain about the program's future. With key players like Mendoza heading to the NFL, Indiana will need to rebuild. The championship, however, has elevated the program's profile, potentially boosting recruiting and investment. For now, the focus is on celebrating the achievement. The May 11 visit will be a moment of pride for the university, its fans, and the state of Indiana. As the Hoosiers prepare to meet the President, they carry with them the memory of a perfect season and a championship that will be remembered for generations.

The bottom line

• Indiana Hoosiers football team will visit the White House on May 11, 2025, after a 16-0 championship season.
• The Hoosiers won their first national title with a 27-21 victory over Miami on January 19.
• Quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy and was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
• Eight Indiana players were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, and six others signed as undrafted free agents.
• The White House visit continues a tradition started by Alabama in 1961; Ohio State was the last football team to visit.
• Indiana aims to reunite its scattered championship roster for the event.