College Sports Established
1899
Location
Iowa City, Iowa
College Name
University of Iowa
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1915 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1899 – Present / Big 10 Conference
Nickname
Hawkeyes - The Iowa Hawkeyes are one of the most iconic college sports teams in the United States, and their nickname has a long and storied history. “Hawkeye” was first used in 1836 to refer to Native Americans living in Iowa. This reference is believed to come from James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Last of the Mohicans, which featured a character named Hawkeye.
In time, "Hawkeyes" began to be used more broadly by settlers living in present-day Iowa—and it eventually became associated with those fiercely loyal to the state they called home. This connection likely helped influence its adoption by the University of Iowa athletic teams when they formed around 1889; no records indicate any other specific reason for choosing this particular moniker.
Today, many students wear black and gold clothing emblazoned with “IOWA” or an image of Herky (the university mascot) on game days. Both symbols serve as reminders about how much pride Iowans take in their beloved team! Furthermore, fans chant "Go Hawks!" whenever players make big plays during games – something else that speaks volumes about how passionate people can be about supporting their favorite squad!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 1
1958
Soccer 0
- 1957
- 1962
- 1995
- 2002
- 2022
- 2023
-
Hawkeye Alex Karras
Karras struggled in the beginning at Iowa, with classwork, homesickness, and with his coach, Forest Evashevski. He was a pledge at the Sigma Nu fraternity during his first year in school. Karras probably would have left Iowa had he not befriended a Greek theater owner, Ernie Pannos, as well as fellow players Cal Jones and Bob Commings. Karras’ sophomore year ... -
Iowa Hawkeyes Don Nelson 1962
As a senior in 1961-1962, Nelson averaged 23.8 points and 11.9 rebounds as the Hawkeyes finished 13-11. In Nelson’s years at Iowa, the Big Ten conference was full of future NBA players. Among others, Ohio State had future Hall of Fame players in John Havlicek and Jerry Lucas, along with Larry Siegfried. Indiana had a future Hall of Fame inductee ... -
Iowa Hawkeye women’s soccer team is established
In 1995: Iowa Hawkeye started the women’s soccer athlete program and the women’s soccer team is established and joins the Big Ten conference. -
Iowa Hawkeyes football team wins Big Ten title
In 2002: The football team wins its fourth Big Ten title and plays in the Orange Bowl for the first time, defeating USC. -
Hawkeyes win Big Ten men’s basketball tourney title
In 2022: Hawkeyes stifle Purdue 75-66, win Big Ten men’s basketball tourney title.Iowa earns first men’s tourney championship since 2006 with one of its best big-game defensive performances in ages. -
Iowa baseball team reaches the NCAA Tournament for the second time
In 2023: The baseball team reaches the NCAA Tournament for the second time since 2008 and defeats North Carolina in its opening game.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes are one of the most successful teams in NCAA history, competing alongside notable rivals like the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Northwestern Wildcats. With a long and storied tradition, they have been competing since 1889 and remain an integral part of college sports today. The Hawkeyes have impacted collegiate athletics over the years, from their first football game against Grinnell College to their most recent trip to the Rose Bowl.
Since joining what is now known as Division I-A in 1956, Iowa has won four Big Ten Championships (1981, 1985, 1990 & 2004) and numerous bowl victories, including three Orange Bowls (1959 vs. California; 1982 vs. Tennessee; 1986 vs. San Diego State). The team also produced many All-Americans during this period, such as Chuck Long, who was named 1984 Heisman Trophy runner-up after leading them to a 9–3 record that season.
Off the field, there’s much more than just winning games for this program, though – it’s about creating lasting memories for generations of fans from all around America who proudly wear black & gold every Saturday in fall months across campuses nationwide! From Kinnick Stadium's iconic pink visitor's locker room walls which were painted by legendary coach Hayden Fry back when he took over head coaching duties at UI in 1981, through the current day under Kirk Ferentz – each era brings its unique flavor while still maintaining strong ties with past successes both on and off field alike!
Whether you're cheering on your favorite players or reminiscing about days gone by - make sure not to forget why we love being Hawk fans: because no matter how far away our beloved university may be geographically speaking - deep down inside, we know that “Iowa Nice” will never let us down come gameday or any other day either! Go Hawks!!
Sports Fan Products
