The Iowa Hawkeye is a hawk, which is a type of bird. Specifically, it is based on the red-tailed hawk, which is a common hawk species found throughout North America.
Quick Facts About the Iowa Hawkeye
Here are some quick facts about the Iowa Hawkeye:
- It is the mascot for the University of Iowa athletics teams.
- It was chosen as the mascot in 1898 after an article referred to Iowa football players as “Hawkeyes.”
- The current costumed mascot is named Herky the Hawk. He wears a black and gold jersey with the number 1.
- Hawkeyes are known for their excellent vision and hunting abilities.
- The red-tailed hawk screech (“kee-eeeee”) is often played at Iowa sporting events.
History of the Hawkeye Mascot
The Hawkeye mascot has a long history at the University of Iowa.
The nickname “Hawkeyes” originally referred to the settlers of the Iowa Territory in the 1830s. It appeared in news articles referencing residents of the territory. The name may have been derived from the Native American leader Black Hawk.
In 1895, the University of Iowa football team was first referred to as the “Hawkeyes” in an article previewing that year’s football season. The nickname caught on and was adopted by the university.
The first Hawkeye mascot character was a live red-tailed hawk named Baskerville. He appeared at Iowa football games in 1927.
Costumed mascots were later created to represent the Hawkeye. Herky the Hawk was introduced in 1948 and has gone through several iterations over the years. The current costume was designed in 1979.
Herky remains one of the most beloved college mascots in the country. He appears at Iowa sporting events and often interacts with fans.
Red-Tailed Hawk Facts
Since the Iowa Hawkeye is based on the red-tailed hawk, here are some facts about that bird species:
- Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common hawk species in North America.
- They have brownish upperparts and white underparts with a reddish-brown tail.
- Their wingspan ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 feet.
- Red-tailed hawks can reach speeds up to 120 mph when diving after prey.
- They mainly eat small mammals like mice, but also prey on reptiles, amphibians and other birds.
- These hawks live an average of 5-10 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.
- Most red-tailed hawks do not actually migrate. Those that do travel south may migrate thousands of miles.
Red-Tailed Hawk Habitat
Red-tailed hawks occupy a wide range of habitats across North America including:
- Open country like fields, prairies and deserts
- Farmland
- Grasslands
- Woodlands
- Suburbs and urban areas
They commonly perch on poles, trees or rocky outcroppings when hunting for prey. Nests are usually built high up in large trees.
Red-Tailed Hawk Hunting
Red-tailed hawks primarily hunt by perching and waiting for prey to appear. They have extremely sharp vision and can spot potential prey from very high vantage points.
Once spotted, they will swoop down and strike prey with their talons. They may also pursue prey on the ground by flying low and knocking them over. These hawks carry prey back to their nest with their talons.
Red-tailed hawks are well-adapted predators with excellent eyesight and maneuverability in flight. This makes them effective hunters able to capture a variety of small animal prey. Their skill as predators inspires the Iowa Hawkeye mascot.
Iowa Hawkeyes Sports Teams
The Iowa Hawkeyes have varsity athletic teams in 23 sports. Here is an overview of the key Hawkeyes sports:
| Sport | League | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Football | Big Ten Conference | Kinnick Stadium |
| Men’s Basketball | Big Ten Conference | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
| Women’s Basketball | Big Ten Conference | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
| Wrestling | Big Ten Conference | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
| Baseball | Big Ten Conference | Duane Banks Field |
The football team is the most prominent of the Iowa Hawkeyes sports. The team plays home games at Kinnick Stadium, which seats around 70,000 fans.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams are also very popular, with home games held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Wrestling is another premier sport at Iowa.
Overall, Hawkeyes athletics are an important part of the culture and community at the University of Iowa and in the state of Iowa.
Famous Iowa Hawkeyes
Many famous athletes have competed for the Iowa Hawkeyes over the years. Here are a few notable former Hawkeyes:
- Nile Kinnick – Star football player who won the 1939 Heisman Trophy; Kinnick Stadium is named for him.
- Dan Gable – Legendary wrestler who went 117–1 in college and won an Olympic gold medal.
- Tom Brands – Won two NCAA wrestling championships for Iowa in the 1990s.
- Chuck Long – All-American quarterback who was Heisman runner-up in 1985.
- Roy Marble – Iowa’s all-time leading basketball scorer with over 2,000 points.
Many former Hawkeyes have gone on to professional sports careers in the NFL, NBA, MLB and more. Iowa has especially produced many standout football players and wrestlers over the decades.
Conclusion
The Iowa Hawkeye is a proud symbol that represents the athletic teams at the University of Iowa. Modeled after the red-tailed hawk, the Hawkeye mascot conveys attributes like strength, speed and competitiveness.
The Hawkeye nickname has a long history dating back to the 19th century. Costumed mascots like Herky the Hawk bring excitement to Iowa sporting events andrally fans.
With successful teams in sports like football, wrestling and basketball, the Iowa Hawkeyes have created a rich legacy of athletic achievement. The Iowa Hawkeye endures as an iconic mascot in college sports.
