10 years after graduating from Michigan Tech University, Deedra Irwin returned to her alma mater as the commencement speaker, recounting her twisting journey from graduate to novice biathlete to Olympian while advising the class of 2025 to, “dream big and give yourself a shot, you might be surprised what you can accomplish when you let yourself try.”

A Cold Derails the Season

Getting to the biggest stage in sports was no simple task for Irwin. After graduating, she moved to Sun Valley Idaho to continue her Nordic career, “juggling three jobs,” tried biathlon a couple of years later, and the rest is history: World Cups and IBU World Championships, with the usual ups and downs. Last season reminded the 33-year-old about what the down times can be like when a December cold derailed her season and Lenzerheide hopes. “The Worlds were a little disappointing for me. I knew I had more in me and could do better. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well there, but my body was not just there yet…I never recovered until the last trimester.”

“Keep pushing and dreaming”

Surprised when selected to give the speech to both the undergraduates and Masters and PhD graduates, Irwin saw an opportunity to share important lessons. “My journey as many people know, was not the conventional Olympic or college journey. Being able to share my story and the amount of failure I experienced, especially post-college. Just being able to keep pushing and dreaming, just doing the thing and where it was able to lead me. I hope many of the people can relate to that.”

“Life will not always go as you planned”

In light of the twists and turns in life, she advised the 2025 graduates, “What I learned is this: success is not always the podium. It is choosing to keep going when no one is watching. It is showing up for your team. It is believing in something bigger than the finish line. You do not need a medal to create an unforgettable moment. It was all because I did not give up. I gave myself one more shot at my dreams, and another.”

She reminded them, “10 years ago, I never imagined being up here but here I am… Here is the truth. Life will not always go as you planned. You are going to have to pivot; you will fall down; you will start over. That does not mean you are lost. Sometimes detour is the path. We talk about getting the “real job,” the logical next step. sometimes that is the road to take, but sometimes the road that asks more of you is the one that changes your life, the one that is most rewarding.”

Spring at Home

After a hard 2024/25 season, the Army World Class athlete changed up her spring, anticipating the upcoming Olympic season. “This was the first spring that I just really got to be home. After moving last spring, this time I came home to a comfortable house with my fiancé which was a big reset. That was different from springs before when I was always trying to find out what came next. It was nice to just be normal, be human.”

Refreshed, reset and coming off the first team camp in Bend, Oregon, Irwin looks forward to an Olympic season as memorable as her commencement address. “Everybody needs to keep an eye on us (US team) in this Olympic season. I think we can get some big results.”

“Believe in yourself”

Closing her Michigan Tech speech, Irwin reflected on her last 10 years, advising, “Your journey is yours alone and it is just the beginning. Believe in yourself, trust the process. Let your dreams evolve…Sometimes the most incredible things happen when you give yourself a shot. When one shot is not enough, give yourself another.”

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Michigan Tech University, Deedra Irwin