Hawkeye Nation – Building a Culture of Excellence

Whether they are a student, faculty member, staffer, or fan, members of the University of Iowa community share an unwavering commitment to hawkeye nation. This commitment is manifested in many ways, but none more than in the athletic department. From its top recruiting classes to its state-of-the-art training facilities, the Hawkeyes are dedicated to building a culture that will endure for generations to come.

Football is threaded into the University of Iowa’s DNA. That fact is never more evident than during the height of football season when Hawkeyes gather in Iowa City to cheer on their team. The University’s connection to football forms a critical throughline in this semester’s Main Library Gallery exhibition, Hawkeye Histories | Sporting Stories, curated by the Department of American Studies and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

From the start, football has played a major role in Iowa history. In 1948, the University of Iowa introduced Herky the Hawk, a cartoon character that has since symbolized intercollegiate athletics and epitomized campus life for more than 60 years. Herky’s creation was a result of a contest that was part of the Hawkeye Centennial Celebration, an event that spanned seven years and involved street renaming ceremonies, a parade, a fully-staged production honoring Dan Gable, and more.

The 1980s saw a reversal of the Hawkeyes’ fortunes, with head coach Hayden Fry leading the team to its first Big Ten Championship in 1985. His success was built on a solid foundation, including an exceptional coaching staff and a superb academic support system.

In 1979, Fry added the Tiger Hawk logo to Iowa’s helmets, a nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were regarded as one of the NFL’s most dominant teams at that time. The helmet’s design is a powerful symbol of the University of Iowa’s commitment to excellence. In addition to the logo, the helmets feature a single yellow gold stripe and black trim that pays tribute to victims of campus violence.

In recent years, the Hawkeyes have become a top contender for college football championships. Their stellar coaching staff, led by head coach Kirk Ferentz, has a deep understanding of the university’s culture and history. Moreover, the team’s exceptional recruits—including quarterback Spencer Petras and defensive tackle Travis Hentschel—are helping to shape a new era of Hawkeye dynasty.