In 1948, journalism instructor Richard Spencer III, better known as Dick Spencer, drew a caricature of a hawk for Frank Havlicek, business director for the university's athletic department, who was looking for a symbol to represent the athletic teams.
The university liked the drawing and adapted it, but left the naming of the bird to the fans through a statewide contest.
John Franklin, a Belle Plaine, Iowa alumnus, suggested the name Herky as a reference to Hercules.
Spencer continued to draw Herky playing a variety of sports and doing other activities inside and outside of the university.
During the Korean War, Herky donned a military uniform and became the mascot of the 124th Fighter Squadron.
In 1948, journalism instructor Richard Spencer III, better known as Dick Spencer, drew a caricature of a hawk for Frank Havlicek, business director for the university's athletic department, who was looking for a symbol to represent the athletic teams. The university liked the drawing and adapted it, but left the naming of the bird to the fans through a statewide contest. John Franklin, a Belle Plaine, Iowa alumnus, suggested the name Herky as a reference to Hercules. Spencer continued to draw Herky playing a variety of sports and doing other activities inside and outside of the university. During the Korean War, Herky donned a military uniform and became the mascot of the 124th Fighter Squadron.
Herky the Hawk