Back in 2002 (approximately), the athletic department wanted to rename the sports programs.  No longer would we be the Iowa Hawkeyes; say hello to the Iowa Turkeys on Heroin.  

Fortunately, it caused a torch and pitchfork uprising of the proletariat against "Bourgeiosie" Bob Bowlsby, and the original tiger hawk reappeared a couple of months later.  Still, some of the Turkeys on Heroin merchandise made its way to apparel retailers and exists to this day in the same dark corners of the internet that are inhabited by Perfect Patriots t-shirts, Betamax players, and Billy Baldwin.

The athletic department commissioned some graphic design firm (hopefully now out of business) to design a more "aggressive" looking Tigerhawk.  That's what they came up with, apparently thinking "aggressive" meant "butt-ugly" and "retarded."  

But anyway, yeah, the reaction by 95% of Iowa fans was similar to yours, and the whole thing went away pretty quick.  My understanding is they still make a small amount of merchandise with this "alternate" design as they still own the trademark, but, it's overall about as popular as tuberculosis.

I heard that the University was trying to save money by redesigning the Tiger Hawk since Hayden Fry and company owned the rights to the original and was making a butt load of money off of it.

I remember those coming out before 2002, but I could be wrong. Hell, I heard lots of rumors while in Iowa City. But I also had AIDs once from one of those Thursday night vixens at Vitos. I'm so glad I was not in a frat.

Go Hawks!

Kids... this is why you don't use crack.

Shows "new" logo

was that Alford was behind its creation, as it appeared about a year after he arrived in IC. Not saying it's true, but he always make a convenient scapegoat.