The most common depiction of Herky today is a result of the athletic department's decision in the early 1980s to use Herky as a marketing tool.
 A universal version of Herky that could be used for all sports was needed.
 Native Iowa City artist Charles Reed based his drawing of Herky on two sources: former Hawkeye wrestler Barry Davis and cartoon character Mighty Mouse.
Herky is also involved in occasional gimmicks, such as the Alumni Herky with a white beard who appears alongside the normal Herky at the annual homecoming game, and in 2010, a special Captain America-themed Herky was introduced during Iowa's football game with Michigan State.

As part of the 75th anniversary of Kinnick Stadium, the University of Iowa athletic department and Iowa City/Coralville Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the cities of Iowa City, Coralville and University Heights to organize "Herky on Parade."
 90 different statues of Herky, each decorated with a different theme, were placed on campus and in the surrounding communities.

On November 22, 1997, during a below freezing Iowa 31-0 football victory over Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium, a Golden Gopher drummer had a cup of water thrown on his face by Herky after the drummer used his drumstick to tap Herky on his shoulder pad.
 As Herky skipped away he was tackled from behind by the drummer.
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.
The end result of Herky's assault on the drummer was the breaking of the historic 40-year-old cheer-bird's head.
Members of the Minnesota band took small trophy pieces of the broken helmet back to Minnesota.
The helmet was re-made of Kevlar for the 1998 season.

Herky has become a regular representative of Iowa athletics in national mascot competitions.
Herky began participating in the Universal Cheerleading Association's mascot competition in 2004.
In 2006 Herky made his first appearance in the national finals in Orlando, FL and placed 8th out of 10,.
Herky qualified for the finals a second time in 2008.
The most common depiction of Herky today is a result of the athletic department's decision in the early 1980s to use Herky as a marketing tool.  A universal version of Herky that could be used for all sports was needed.  Native Iowa City artist Charles Reed based his drawing of Herky on two sources: former Hawkeye wrestler Barry Davis and cartoon character Mighty Mouse. Herky is also involved in occasional gimmicks, such as the Alumni Herky with a white beard who appears alongside the normal Herky at the annual homecoming game, and in 2010, a special Captain America-themed Herky was introduced during Iowa's football game with Michigan State.
As part of the 75th anniversary of Kinnick Stadium, the University of Iowa athletic department and Iowa City/Coralville Convention & Visitors Bureau partnered with the cities of Iowa City, Coralville and University Heights to organize "Herky on Parade."  90 different statues of Herky, each decorated with a different theme, were placed on campus and in the surrounding communities.
On November 22, 1997, during a below freezing Iowa 31-0 football victory over Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium, a Golden Gopher drummer had a cup of water thrown on his face by Herky after the drummer used his drumstick to tap Herky on his shoulder pad.  As Herky skipped away he was tackled from behind by the drummer. 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. The end result of Herky's assault on the drummer was the breaking of the historic 40-year-old cheer-bird's head. Members of the Minnesota band took small trophy pieces of the broken helmet back to Minnesota. The helmet was re-made of Kevlar for the 1998 season.
Herky has become a regular representative of Iowa athletics in national mascot competitions. Herky began participating in the Universal Cheerleading Association's mascot competition in 2004. In 2006 Herky made his first appearance in the national finals in Orlando, FL and placed 8th out of 10,. Herky qualified for the finals a second time in 2008.
Herky the Hawk