Online voting under way for new Cy-Hawk Trophy

IOWA CITY - Cyclone and Hawkeye fans cringed during the unveiling of the 2011 Cy-Hawk Series Trophy.

Last summer, during the Iowa State Fair, the Iowa Corn Growers Association unveiled the redesigned trophy. It featured a family, some corn and no football.

It caused such an uproar from fans that organizers, at the very last minute, added a small white football atop a wooden base.

"I didn't like it,” said Hawkeye Alumni, Steve Nachazel. “I thought they just did too quick of a job on it. I just didn't care for it."

For the 2012 season, the fans get to decide the new Cy-Hawk Trophy in direct response to last year's public outcry. 500 people submitted ideas which were then dwindled down to three designs. Online voting lasts through April 30.

“The fans spoke loud and clear,” said UI Associate Director of Athletics, Rick Klatt. “They wanted a football trophy, and I think they have that with these three great options.”

So far, more than 5,000 people have picked between one of the three options at www.iowacorncyhawkseries.com

"I really liked the first one with the two mascots,” said UI student, Hannah Riesberg.  “The second one was a little hard to tell what it is with the wrapping around it."

As in any election, the final decision probably won't please everyone. But fans say all three options focus on something more important than the trophy itself: Iowa pride.

"It's a representation of their state,” said UI student, Sean Noonan. “They want to be proud of it.  The trophy shows how proud they are."