• Played three U of A sports: a triple-threat quarterback of the Golden Bears football team in two undefeated seasons (1947-48), a member of the Bears basketball squad that won the league championship in 1947, and centre for the Bears hockey team in 1948.
• Member of the Calgary Stampeders football club.
• Served as a coach, executive, and director in the Calgary junior football community.
• A prominent Calgary businessman who has made a valuable contribution as a volunteer and board member for numerous companies.

Harry Irving began his remarkable athletic career in his native Calgary. A 1945 graduate of Western Canada High, he starred in basketball and football before going on to captain and quarterback the West End Tornadoes to an undefeated season and the Western Canada Championship in junior football in 1946. In junior baseball he was captain and played third base, leading the Calgary Jaycees while batting around .400. Enrolling in the University of Alberta, he quarterbacked the Bears football team to successive undefeated seasons in 1947 and 1948, and was named captain in 1948. He played defensive half, and on offense he was the epitome of the triple-threat back, being equally capable of scoring by running passing, or kicking the ball and often led whatever league he played in, in all three categories.

Always a versatile athlete, Harry earned a spot on the Bears basketball team that won the Western championship in 1947, and the next year switched to centre for the Bears hockey team, winners of the Halpenny Trophy. He was one of a very few athletes in our history to qualify for a Block A by playing in three different varsity sports, a feat he achieved in just two years.

He started the 1948 season playing on both offense and defense for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL, but had to leave the team to enroll at Alberta and play for the Golden Bears. With Harry at quarterback the Bears won the Conference by going undefeated. Following the season here, the Stampeders were still alive in the playoffs and Harry rejoined them as they went on to win their first Grey Cup.

The Western collegiate league suspended operations in 1949 which encouraged Harry to transfer to McGill where he completed a B.A. in 1951. At McGill his stellar play at quarterback led to his all-star selection in both 1949 and 1950, and he was co-captain in 1950. Ever the enthusiastic competitor, he also suited up for the McGill Redmen hockey team during his two years in Montreal. It is an indication of his leadership qualities that he seldom played on a team where he was not named captain or co-captain.

Following graduation, he remained active in Calgary for many years in competitive polo and golf, and for five years as a coach and later on the executive and as a director in junior football. Community involvement has been extensive, including significant contributions to the Young Presidents Organization, The Chamber of Commerce, United Appeal, The Woods Christian Homes, and as a director of the Stampeders, and governor of the University of Calgary where he earned an M.A. in 1977.

Professionally, he serves as president of Irving Industries, and as a director of several affiliated companies, as well as on the boards of numerous other companies.