Buena Vista University football alumni and supporters are asked to mark their calendars for July 21 as the Annual Hershberger Gridiron Classic plays out at beautiful BVU Lake Creek in Storm Lake.

“I can’t wait to meet and share stories with dozens of our great football and BVU alumni who gave of themselves as student-athletes and now continue to support an incredible cause, the Jim & Floy Hershberger Football Endowment,” says Beaver Head Football Coach Austin Dickinson, a 2010 graduate who played football during his four years as an undergraduate.

Dickinson was hired as BVU Head Football Coach in December. He and his staff have hit the ground running with intentions to put the best team on the field with student-athletes who will work hard while coming to know those who created a Beaver football tradition highlighted by conference champions, All-Americans, and winners on and off the field who competed for the Navy & Gold before building successful careers.

Twenty-two teams teed off in 2022 to support the endowment, which serves a variety of efforts within the football program. Former Hershberger Era players Dan Phillips ’77, Doug Thompson ’81, Brad Jones ’77, Keith Kerkhoff ’77, and the late Tim Anderson ’83, among others, have planted the seeds for the Hershberger Football Fund with their gifts. The tournament serves as a fundraiser for this cause.

In addition to golf, Kerkhoff, a former Beaver All-American, conducts a popular live auction to complement online and silent auctions. BVU alumni will serve as hole sponsors and several fun-and-game novelties will be held, including a pair of “beat the pro” par 3 competitions pitting four-person teams against Dickinson and BVU President Brian Lenzmeier.

“The Hershberger Gridiron Classic is one of our signature BVU alumni events each year,” said Lenzmeier. “Football letterwinners and Beaver supporters from well over a half-century will come together to share memories while having a great time as they get to know more about Coach Dickinson, an accomplished former Beaver student-athlete we are thrilled to have directing our program.”

The 2023 event starts at 7 p.m. July 20 as President Lenzmeier hosts a free barbecue at the McCorkle House, where he and wife, Betsy, reside. Former BV defensive back Mike Pertzborn ’74 and his family offer pontoon rides on the lake that evening. The Hershberger Gridiron Classic officially commences with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. July 21.

For additional details, contact BVU Director of Alumni Engagement Sarah Johnson at 712.749.2647 or email johnsons2@bvu.edu.