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: Bill Naughton '86.

Bill Naughton was a four-time letterwinner and a four-time national qualifier on the golf course for Buena Vista. As a senior in 1986, he posted a team-best 18-hole scoring average of 75.0 and shot a season-low round of 71 at Central. Naughton shot 151 and tied for individual medalist honors at the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships while winning MVP honors for the second straight season. He helped lead the Beavers to a runner-up team finish with a 633. Later that same year, he capped his career by earning All-American laurels after placing 17th at the NCAA Championships.

As a junior, the Storm Lake native and St. Mary’s High School graduate, earned the IIAC’s Co-Most Valuable Player honor for the first time after winning the championships with a 36-hole score of 153. 

Naughton’s career began as a freshman in 1983 with his first trip to the NCAA Championships. After a first round 85, he settled in nicely and bounced back with three straight rounds in the 70’s, including a stellar third round 73. He finished the championships at 315 and only eight shots out of the top 10. As a sophomore in 1984, Naughton carded a 325, closing with his low round of 76.

Bill is the son of the late John ’50 and Lee Naughton.