Herky appearance at Republican event a mistake, University of Iowa says

IOWA CITY - University of Iowa officials say it was a mistake for school mascot, Herky, to appear at U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst's Roast and Ride, a June 6 fundraiser featuring Republican presidential candidates.

'The Spirit Squad did not understand this was a partisan event,” said UI Spokeswoman Jeneane Beck. 'It was a mistake. We'll need to look at these things more carefully in the future.”

The Jobs, Opportunity and New Ideas PAC, or jonipac, organized the event that started with a motorcycle ride from the Des Moines Harley-Davidson dealership to a barbecue in Boone.

Ernst's supporters paid the UI Spirit Squad $250, plus about $140 for mileage, for Herky to appear for one hour at the Boone event, which included a roast of U.S. President Barack Obama and other Democrats by seven GOP hopefuls - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, retired physician Ben Carson, former CEO Carly Fiorina and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

About 1,500 people attended the event, which cost $30 for adults.

Iowa State University mascot, Cy, joined Herky in posing for photos with Roast and Ride attendees and hamming it up with reporters. ISU Spokeswoman Annette Hacker said the athletic department will be reviewing its policy on which events Cy can attend after criticism following the Boone fundraiser.

'It is likely we'll make it clear that it's not appropriate for Cy to appear at political events,” Hacker said.

Private groups or individuals may hire the mascots to appear at events that include conventions, weddings, birthday parties or fundraisers.

Herky attended more than 200 non-UI events last year, Beck said. The only political event, besides the Roast and Ride, was Hawkeye Caucus Day in Washington, D.C. The UI considers this a non-partisan alumni event, Beck said.

The UI charges $250 an hour, plus 48 cents per mile for events outside of Iowa City/Coralville. Cy's appearances cost $200 an hour for a maximum two hours, plus 50 cents an hour for mileage.

The UI's rules for Herky appearances don't say which types of events will be refused, and the UI could not immediately provide numbers about events declined in the past year.

'We don't have a specific policy,” Beck said. 'Most conflicts come down to scheduling.”

Herky does require a separate changing room (not a public restroom), one 15-minute water break for every hour of the appearance and nearby parking. Requests must be submitted at least four weeks in advance. When Jonipac requested Herky's attendance at the Boone event, the group described it as a 'motorcycle event for veterans,” hosted by Ernst, Beck said. The group said Cy would be there and they hoped Herky would also come. Beck said UI officials did not think the PAC tried to misrepresent the nature of the event.

'The details and speakers for the event were made available to all vendors and were online weeks beforehand,” Ernst spokeswoman Brook Hougesen wrote in an email to The Gazette.

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