Few in-state rivalries run as deep as the Cy-Hawk Game — the annual football showdown between the Iowa State Cyclones and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. It's more than a game. It's a tradition that splits Iowa households every fall, fills tailgates with cardinal-and-gold and black-and-gold, and gets passed down from one generation of fans to the next. At Tailgate Tikes, we love helping the very youngest fans join the fun — so before you dress your little one for game day, here's the story behind the rivalry.
Where the Cy-Hawk Rivalry Began
The Iowa–Iowa State football series dates all the way back to October 1, 1894, when Iowa State — then known as Iowa Agricultural College — beat Iowa 16–8 in Iowa City. The Cyclones actually took the first three meetings before Iowa found its footing, and the two schools would go on to play 24 times between 1894 and 1934. That makes it one of the oldest rivalries in college football, with roots that stretch back more than 130 years.
The 43-Year Silence
Then, after the 1934 game, the series simply stopped — and the reason is smaller than the legend suggests. Iowa's head coach and athletic director at the time, Ossie Solem, reportedly wouldn't return Iowa State's calls to reschedule the game. No blowup, no financial dispute — just a series left to go quiet. It stayed dormant for 43 years, long enough for an entire generation of Iowans to grow up without an annual in-state game to argue over.
Fan demand never faded, and eventually it took pressure from the state legislature to bring the two programs back to the field. The series was finally revived in 1977.
The Cy-Hawk Trophy
To mark the reunion, the Greater Des Moines Athletic Club conceived a traveling trophy in 1976, and Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray presented the first Cy-Hawk Trophy to the winner in 1977. The original design featured a football, a running back in a classic stiff-arm pose, and the likenesses of the two schools' mascots — Iowa State's Cy the Cardinal and Iowa's Herky the Hawk. The name "Cy-Hawk" is a blend of the two: Cy and Hawk.
The trophy has been redesigned more than once since. The most memorable misstep came in 2011, when a new version depicting a farm family gathered around a basket of corn was unveiled — and promptly mocked by fans, columnists, and even a former Iowa coach who couldn't see what corn had to do with football. It was quickly shelved, a temporary trophy filled in for a season, and a fan-informed redesign featuring both mascots and a nod to Iowa's cornfields took its place. Today the series is officially known as the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series.
A Rivalry Woven Into Iowa Family Life
Since its revival, the Cy-Hawk Game has become one of the most anticipated dates on Iowa's fall calendar — and a family event as much as a sporting one. It's the kind of tradition where grandparents, parents, and kids all pull on their colors together, where friendly banter carries from the tailgate to the dinner table, and where lifelong loyalties get handed down at an early age.
That family spirit runs through both programs. On the Iowa side, one of the most moving traditions in all of sports happens at Kinnick Stadium, where after the first quarter of every home game the entire crowd turns to wave at the young patients watching from the children's hospital that overlooks the field. It's a reminder that, for all the rivalry's intensity, the heart of a fall Saturday is really about family.
Icons and Unforgettable Moments
The rivalry has produced legendary names on both sides. For the Hawkeyes, Nile Kinnick — the namesake of Kinnick Stadium — won the Heisman Trophy in 1939 before losing his life in World War II, a legacy Iowa fans still honor today. For the Cyclones, dynamic playmakers like Seneca Wallace brought electric, game-changing moments to Ames in the early 2000s. Iowa State's own stadium carries a meaningful story, too: Jack Trice Stadium is named for the school's first Black athlete, who died from injuries sustained in a 1923 game. Every season adds new names and new memories to the series.
Dress Your Littlest Fan for Cy-Hawk Saturday
Whether your family bleeds cardinal and gold or black and gold, Tailgate Tikes has officially licensed gear made just for your youngest fans:
- Officially licensed apparel: bamboo viscose zippy sleepers and two-piece pajama sets for babies through big kids, in authentic team colors with approved team logos.
- Soft bamboo viscose: a smooth, cozy fabric for comfy wear at the tailgate or winding down at home.
- Thoughtful, parent-friendly details: double zippers for easy changes, convertible footies, and fold-over cuffs for the littlest fans.
Shop Cy-Hawk Game Day Gear
Ready to get your little MVP set for game day? Browse our officially licensed Iowa Hawkeyes collection or Iowa State Cyclones collection and find the perfect zippy sleeper or pajama set — bedtime to kickoff.
Cy-Hawk Rivalry FAQ
When did the Cy-Hawk rivalry start?
Iowa and Iowa State first met on the football field on October 1, 1894, with Iowa State winning 16–8. The two schools have played 24 times before a 43-year break and, since 1977, nearly every year.
Why is it called the Cy-Hawk Game?
The name combines the two schools' mascots: Cy the Cardinal for Iowa State and Herky the Hawk for Iowa. The Cy-Hawk Trophy is awarded to the winner each year.
Why did the rivalry pause for so long?
After the 1934 game, the series went dormant for 43 years — largely because Iowa's coach and athletic director, Ossie Solem, wouldn't reschedule the matchup. It was revived in 1977 after renewed public and legislative pressure.
Who leads the all-time Cy-Hawk series?
Iowa holds a commanding all-time lead, anchored by a 15-game winning streak from 1983 to 1997 — the longest in series history. Because the teams play every year, the exact record updates each season.
When is the Cy-Hawk Game played?
The game is typically played early in the college football season, alternating between Iowa City (even-numbered years) and Ames (odd-numbered years).
