Iowa University's nickname, the Hawkeyes, came from the book The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. In the book, the native Iowans are described by the Delaware Indians as "Hawkeye." The University of Iowa then borrowed the name for its athletic teams, making it the official nickname in the 1940s. A cartoon character mascot was drawn and the state held a competition to name the mascot. Herky the Hawk was the winning name and remains Iowa University's mascot today. Decked out in the school's black and gold colors, Herky the Hawk appears at many athletic competitions and proves to be very popular among fans.
Currently Iowa University houses 24 Varsity sports teams; 11 men's teams and 13 women's teams. The Hawkeyes have belonged to the Big Ten Conference since 1900 and have traditionally seen a lot of success in wrestling. Hawkeye wrestlers have won 32 Big Ten conference titles and 21 national championships thus far. Aside from wrestling, the Hawkeyes have also won national championships in men's gymnastics, football, and field hockey. The men's gymnastics team won Iowa University its first national championship ever.
Iowa's football team plays its games at Kinnick Stadium. Kinnick Stadium was named for the Hawkeye's sole Heisman Trophy winner, Nile Kinnick. Kinnick won the trophy at the end of the 1939 season, but then died during World War II flight training a few years later. Kinnick's face is also on coins that officials use for the coin toss during some Big Ten games. The Hawkeye football team has won a total of 11 Big Ten conference titles, winning their first bowl game in the 1957 Rose Bowl. Kirk Ferentz coaches the current football team and has done so for ten seasons. During this time, the Hawkeyes have won two Big Ten conference titles and appeared in seven bowl games. Iowa's football team will play in the 2010 Orange Bowl versus Georgia Tech. Currently 32 former Hawkeye football players play for the NFL including Green Bay Packers linebacker Aaron Kampman and Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark.
