The state of Iowa acquired the nickname chiefly through the efforts of newspaper editor James G. Edwards of Fort Madison and Judge David Rorer of Burlington.

Edwards proposed the nickname "Hawk-eyes" in 1838 to "...rescue from oblivion a memento, at least of the name of the old chief" Black Hawk.

[1] It is thought by some that this popularity helped Rorer and Edwards' campaign to make Hawkeyes a nickname for Iowans.

[citation needed] The University of Iowa Football team’s first mascot was a live black bear cub named Burch.

[4] John Franklin, a Belle Plaine, Iowa alumnus, suggested Hercules the Hawk and the name was later shortened to Herky.

However, Larry Herb, a transfer student, had a desire to portray Herky, and convinced administrators to give him a chance.

However, in 1998 the Delts lost their charter, and since that time the university has held open tryouts for prospective Herkys.

Native Iowa City artist Charles Reed based his drawing of Herky on two sources: former Hawkeye wrestler Barry Davis and cartoon character Mighty Mouse.

Rather than take a hand offered to help the mascot to his feet, Herky broke the drummer's glasses with a punch to the face.