The Shield turns 53 Friday. The first issue of The Spartan Shield was published Oct. 15, 1968. After three issues, the newspaper was renamed The Shield. The Shield established its website, usishield.com, in 2002. President Ray Hoops designated The Shield as a public form, free of administration control in 2005.

The Shield has documented the history of The University of Southern Indiana for 53 years. The 2021-2022 staff digitally republished stories from the 53-year-old Shield Archive to celebrate The Shield’s 53rd birthday. The following stories have been republished but have not been edited by the 2021-2022 staff.

“Independence Issue leaps first hurdle” published Jan. 31, 1985 reflects the steps and anxieties involved with the separation from Indiana State University.

“Eagle Access card provides convenience” published Oct. 14, 1999 is about the introduction of Eagle Access Cards that gave students access to Munch Money and Meal Plans.

“New York Tragedy rocks USI” published Sept. 13, 2001 after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The Shield staff felt this story was appropriate to remember as the country reflected the 20th since 9/11 this year.

“Women’s Liberation” were two stories published side-by-side on April 2, 1971. The two stories written by the 1971 Shield staff show the conflicting ideas of women’s rights and independence in the 1970s.

“O.J. Simpson: Morally guilty, legally not” was an opinion about the O.J. Simpson trial published Oct. 9, 1995. The jury on Oct. 3, 1995 famously found  O.J. Simpson not guilty of the murder of Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

“Excitement of Elite Eight Tournament” published Mar. 13, 1995 when Men’s Basketball entered the Elite Eight for the second time in two years. In 1995 USI won the NCAA Division II National Championship for men’s basketball.

“Looking at the recent History of USI sports” published  Aug. 29, 2019 complies a list of sports achievements in the university’s history.

“Madman… Some Good Cuts” published Jan. 18, 1972 is a pitch given by Shield writer on why the now classic Elton John album “Madman Across the Water” was worth the money.  In 1972, you could buy a copy of Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water” for only $6. That’s roughly $40 today when adjusted for inflation. While streaming music is the norm today, in 1972 buying an album was typically done on rare occasions.

“Led Zeppelin Sold Out in Indy” published Feb. 7, 1975 was a review of a sold out concert at the Market Square Arena as part of Led Zeppelin’s “‘75 North American Tour.” The Shield has always been known to inform our readers with the best in popular music. The 1970s were no exception.