Mac and Louise Irvin were married in 1965 in Chicago originally lived in the Chatham community. But as their family continued to grow, they moved into a larger house in the 10900 block of south Parnell on the city’s South Side. In the previous 34th now 21st Ward, the couple raised six children as Mr. Irvin worked for Xerox company and Mrs. Irvin worked multiple jobs as well to keep their loving family together.
This photo of the Irvin family shows all of them together at the house in the 10900 block of south Parnell Avenue in Chicago. The family jokes that is was very rare for them to get a photo where everyone was together at the same time. To get them to all look at the camera at the same time proved to be too tall of as ask for the photographer. Photo from Irvin Family.
Mac Irvin is pictured here before his death in 2011 with his son McGlother Irvin III and grandson McGlother Irvin IV at the home on south Parnell he shared with his wife Louise for over 30 years. The couple was a staple of the community and were well known throughout the United States for developing and supporting basketball players out of Chicago.
Three of the Irvin’s children are pictured here during a recent event in Chicago. Lance Irvin is a sports administrator at Kenwood Academy. Oldest child Byron Irvin is an NBA agent. The couple’s only daughter Cynthia Irvin works as a sports administrator for the Chicago Public Schools and has two sons who are athletes, one he just completed college.
Chicago to Honor “Godfather of Chicago Basketball” Mac Irvin
By J. Coyden Palmer September 21, 2023
The City of Chicago is set to pay tribute to two of its most prominent citizens Saturday during an honorary street designation ceremony for McGlother “Mac” Irvin and his wife Louise. The historic event is scheduled for September 23rd at noon, located at 109th & Parnell Ave in Chicago, the block where the Irvin’s lived and raised their six children for over 30 years. Renowned as the venerable patriarch of Chicago's basketball domain, McGlother "Mac" Irvin, left an indelible mark within the local hoops’ community. Affectionately known as the "Godfather," Irvin was the driving force behind the illustrious Mac Irvin Fire, a Nike-sponsored basketball team that consistently maintained its stature as one of the nation's premier club programs.
A true trailblazer, Irvin along with former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, pioneered the practice of showcasing Chicago's basketball talent on a grand national stage. The now multi-billion-dollar youth travel sports team industry can be attributed in many ways to Irvin and Vaccaro for setting the trend as far back as 1992.
“My father knew what he was doing,” said Byron Irvin, the Irvin’s oldest son who works as an NBA agent after playing in the league for several years. “Success for your children increases when you have dedicated, loving and caring parents. I owe much of my career success to my parents and the values they instilled in me. “They set high standards and expectations for me. They were tough on me, but it was a tough love and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m so proud to be an Irvin and proud of my parents who I wish were here to see this today.”
Louise Irvin was the manager of the Mac Irvin Fire program. Coordinating the travel for the teams and running many of the daily operations until her death in 2019. Active in her community, she served on the Local School Council and was a mother to so many in their Brainerd community.
“Being able to see their marriage and the lessons of love, teamwork and sacrifice they made for one another is one of the most important lessons I learned in life,” said the youngest of the Irvin’s children, Nick Irvin. “They didn’t just teach that to me. They also demonstrated that to my friends, teammates, relatives and to all of the other kids who would come to our house to visit and eat my mom’s cooking. They dedicated their lives to youth, with my mom’s work on the PTA at my school, to my pop’s founding of the Mac Irvin Fire. Today it is an honor to be here to see the city recognize their lives of community service in this way.
All of the Irvin’s children are associated with sports in some fashion. Daughter Cynthia Irvin serves as a sports administrator with Chicago Public Schools. She considers her work as continuing her parent’s legacy.
“There are so many lessons that young people can learn through sports,” she began. “How to be a good teammate. Leaning on one another during times of adversity when things don’t go your way. The importance of building relationships with people that will last for your entire life. Our parents-built relationships with people from all walks of life to benefit the young people of Chicago, thus raising the profile of our city. To have their work recognized by the City of Chicago with this wonderful street dedication is truly an honor and a blessing,” she said.
Lance Irvin, the former men’s head basketball coach at Chicago State University, now works at Kenwood Academy and hosts a weekly sports podcast show, “What’s Up Cuz?!” with his cousin and journalist Jason Palmer. He thanked the city for recognizing the work of his parents.
“I would like to thank the City of Chicago and Alderman Ronnie L. Mosley for recognizing the contribution of my parents to the children and people of the 21st Ward,” he began. “My parents did not only instill values in us, they did not only invest money in us, they did not only impart wisdom in us, their children, but to all children they came in contact with. It is within that spirit that myself and my siblings are now dedicating our own lives to helping the youth through our ministry of basketball and athletics.”
Mike Irvin serves as the CEO of the Fire and Forever Fire Foundation and two years ago took over the helm as the boys’ basketball coach at Kenwood Academy.
“My father, McGlother Irvin was legendary not only on the basketball court but also in our hearts as an exceptional father,” he said. “My mother Louise Irvin, his beloved wife, stood alongside him, fostering a legacy of achievement among their children. The unveiling of their street pays tribute to the profound love and greatness that defined our family and their shared passion for basketball. Their enduring love for the game not only influenced us but also empowered countless athletes to reach their true potential and become legends."
His father’s namesake, McGlother Irvin III is the CEO of the Mac Irvin Fire girls’ basketball program. His wife Corryne Irvin is current an assistant coach for the women’s team at Mississippi State University. Lil Mac, as he is often called, also played on the Jackie Robinson Little League team that went to Williamsport back in the 80’s. He said his parents encouraged him to play all sports and he now does the same with his own kids.
“My life started right here on this block, right here in this backyard, right here in this neighborhood,” said McGlother Irvin III, who played professional basketball overseas and in the United States. “The lessons I learned here on Parnell; how to be a good neighbor, respecting the elders on the block, competing against kids from the other block, are memories I will forever cherish. I hope to instill that sense of community into my own children. With the assistance of my wife Corryne, we are changing lives for the better, one player at a time. That is all a part of the legacy of my mom and pop. We are honored to see it continue.”
The next generation of Irvin’s is also going into the family business. Granddaughter Brooklyn Irvin recently completed a summer internship with the Chicago Blackhawks and is currently a grad student at the University of Central Florida studying sports administration.
“My family’s legacy speaks for itself,” she said. “I’m honored to be an Irvin and am so happy to see my family’s contributions being recognized. I’ve heard all the stories of growing up on that block. They are legendary!”