Hall of Fame
RODNEY IRWIN
- Sport: Wrestling
- Graduation Year: 1972
- Highlights: 1972 NCAA national champion at 134 pounds … two-time NCAA All-American … posted 52-12 overall record at 134 pounds over final two seasons at SRU.
Rod Irwin is one of just three men in Slippery Rock wrestling history to stand on the top step of the podium as a national champion, a feat he accomplished at the College Division National Championships in 1972, just two years before SRU made the move to NCAA Division I status.
Irwin now takes his rightful place alongside the only other two men to win a wrestling national title at SRU, Stan Dziedzic and Jack Spates, in the Rock Athletics Hall of Fame. Dziedzic was enshrined in the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1984 and Spates joined him in 1992.
Before climbing to the top step of the podium in 1972, Irwin laid the foundation for his national title run with a stellar junior campaign in 1970-71 when he went a perfect 16-0 in dual matches at 134 pounds. He was 6-4 in tournament competition that year, ultimately placing fourth at the National Championships to earn his first of two All-America honors.
Irwin followed that effort up with another strong showing as a senior, going 10-1 in dual matches and 20-7 in tournament competition in 1971-72. He came up just short of winning a conference title with runner-up finish at the Pennsylvania Conference Championships, but used that as motivation for the national tournament. Irwin earned his second career All-America award at the College Division National Championships when he picked up the national title at 134 pounds. His victory gave Slippery Rock two national titles in 1972 as Dziedzic also won the title at 158 pounds.
Over his junior and senior years at Slippery Rock, Irwin combined to post a stellar 26-1 record in dual matches and an overall record of 52-12 in 64 matches at 134 pounds.
Immediately following his undergraduate career, Irwin joined head coach Fred Powell as a graduate assistant the following year, helping to coach Spates to the first of his two national titles in 1973. Irwin earned his master's degree in education from SRU in 1973.
Following his collegiate career, Irwin played on two national soccer tournament teams with the Pittsburgh Greyhounds before embarking on a lengthy career in education. He spent 35 years teaching in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District, retiring in 2008.
Irwin taught health and physical education for 25 years and spent 10 years as a special education teacher. In addition to his teaching career, he also served as a head middle school wrestling coach for 12 years, leading his squad on an undefeated stretch that included 36 wins over three seasons to close his career. He also coached track & field for 12 years, girls' soccer for three years and tennis for two years.
Irwin, who resides in Pittsburgh, is the father of three sons, Todd (Christine), Khip (Kate) and Travis (Danielle), and the grandfather to five grandchildren, Dan, Kate, Joe, Mary and Grady.
