Hall of Fame
Awards:
Recipient of the Mertz Mortorelli Coaching Award
Achievements:
About:
Coach Ira Irl Tubbs was one of UW-Superior's pioneer athletic coaches and athletic directors. Coaching both football and basketball, Coach Tubbs worked to improve the quality of the institution's athletic teams. "We take this opportunity to show our appreciation for the hard work of the coach in establishing the reputation of a high brand of athletics that our College now has in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota," the editors of the 1928 Gitche Gumee yearbook wrote. Coach Tubbs lead the Superior football team to championships in 1928 and 1929. In addition, Coach Tubbs was credited with inventing the "needle valve" for inflating footballs.
