The Buena Vista University Athletics Hall of Fame welcomes its Class of 2026 during an induction ceremony this Friday, Oct. 2. Throughout this week, we will shine the spotlight on each of the four individual inductees and the team inductee. TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT: Michael Irvin '05.

Michael Irvin was a standout linebacker for Buena Vista University’s longtime defensive coordinator Larry Anderson. The Bedford, Iowa, native was a three-year starter for the Beavers and recorded 384 career tackles, the most for any student-athlete in the program dating back to the year 2000.

As a senior in 2004, he tallied a school record 148 total tackles en route to being named a First Team All-American (AFCA) while also earning First Team All-IIAC accolades, his second of two all-league honors. BVU finished 6-4 in each of his final two campaigns, including a combined 9-7 mark in conference play.

In addition to his time on the gridiron, Irvin was also a four-year wrestler for Hall of Fame Men’s Wrestling Coach Al Baxter and chalked up nearly 40 wins over his first three seasons.

Irvin also saw success in the classroom where he was named a three-time Academic All-Conference selection in both sports, earned First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors in football (2004) and was a two-time Scholar All-American in wrestling.

He currently resides in Bedford, Iowa, where he serves as the 6-12 secondary principal and equity coordinator for the Bedford Community School District.