🦅Mascot: "Hawkeyes"
11 schools use the "Hawkeyes" mascot.
Fast Facts
- Schools using this mascot
- 11 schools
- States represented
- 8 states
- Most common state
- Michigan (2)
- Top state per capita
- Iowa
- Popular school level
- High School (5)
- Mascot type
- Animal • Bird
Most common states: Michigan (2), New York (2), Pennsylvania (2)
Top 5 Color Combos
- (4)Royal BlueWhite
- (2)GoldBlack
- (2)OrangeBlack
- (1)BlackSilver
- (1)NavyGrayWhite
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Cached for performance
Meet Herky the Hawk, the fierce and iconic mascot of the University of Iowa's Hawkeyes 🐦. This tough-sounding bird has a rich history that dates back to 1948 when a journalism instructor named Richard Spencer III drew a cartoon hawk for the university's athletic department. The name "Herky" came from a statewide contest, where it was shortened from "Hercules the Hawk," inspired by the strong man from Greek mythology. Herky first took the field in 1959, and since then, he's been known for his bold and sometimes prankster personality. Originally, only members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity got to be Herky, but now anyone can try out to wear the costume. Herky is more than just a mascot; he's a symbol of pride and spirit for the University of Iowa. So, if you're ever at a Hawkeyes game, keep an eye out for Herky's energetic antics 🏆.
Community Voices
Hear how the Hawkeyes fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 2 programs flying the Hawkeyes banner across Michigan. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Avery Lopez
Michigan Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like Iowa. With 1 schools per million residents, the Hawkeyes is part of daily conversations here.”
Morgan Carter
Iowa Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Hawkeyes delivers the perfect animal energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Riley Carter
Regional Pep Collective
FAQ: Hawkeyes Mascot
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
11 schools in our database use the Hawkeyes mascot across 8 states.
The Hawkeyes shows up most in Michigan (2), New York (2), and Pennsylvania (2). Ia also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Hawkeyes as a Animal and Bird mascot. Programs note that it is known for its tough tone.
High School programs adopt the Hawkeyes most often (5 schools). Elementary (4) and Other (2) also feature this mascot.