Herky The Hawk – 75 Years Young.

It’s 2023 and it’s time to sing “Happy Birthday” to our favorite college mascot – Herky The Hawk!

Yup, Herky looks a bit different than he did when he was first hatched on paper in 1948, but in all honesty, he looks pretty spry for a 75-year-old bird – don’t you think?

In another post, we spell out – in detail – Herky’s history. Did you know, for example, that SUI had two other ‘big name” mascots before Herky the Hawk came to Iowa City? Read more here. So, on this page, we simply want to give you a photographic overview of Herky the Hawk – from 1948 to today. So, here we go…

Above left is a very rare photograph (from the collection of Rich Franklin) of his father, John Franklin (with Rich’s brother, Bob, behind) “shaking hands” with Herky. The inscription reads: Best wishes to the man who named “Herky” from the guy who drew him! Dick Spencer III.

In 1949, Herky appeared only on paper – but without a doubt – he was well-received by Hawkeye fans.

In the early 1950’s – Herky made his first live appearances at Iowa Stadium. Read more about Herky, as he came to life here.

Of course, when Coach Forest Evashevski came to Iowa City (1952), and the Hawkeyes started to win some football games, Herky was right there to help cheer the team on to victory.

When the Hawkeyes won the Big Ten Championship in 1956, and again in 1958, Iowa fans went crazy. Herky, of course, was primed and ready to go “national” with live TV appearances in the 1957 and 1959 Rose Bowls. Read more here.

From 1961 to 1978, Iowa football became the laughing stock of the Big Ten. In an attempt to stop the drought, Herky was re-designed – taking on an aggressive stance. Sadly, it didn’t help.

But, everything changed in 1979/1980 – Hayden Fry arrived in Iowa City to take over the hapless Hawkeyes, while Lute Olson brought big success to the basketball team.

Under the leadership of Hayden Fry and Dr. Tom Davis – the Hawkeye football and basketball teams found abundant success in the mid-1980’s and into the 1990’s. Of course, Herky was there to cheer the Hawks on – win or lose.