University of San Francisco Athletics

Mike Ivanow was born in Shanghai, China, of Russian parents, and lived in Australia before moving to the United States. Ivanow played for the Bay Area Police Athletic League, coached by Steve Negoesco and they won the Western Regionals. He was also a member of the 1965 Junior National Team.

He attended USF in the class of 1968 and played defense on the Varsity Soccer Team his sophomore year under Negoesco, and they reached the NCAA Championship. In describing Ivanow's performance, Cal coach Bob DeGrazia said, "he proved to be the difference in key games." The Dons closed out the regular season 7-0, giving up four goals while scoring 30. In the four NCAA tournament games, the Dons only allowed four goals by the opposing team as they recorded 11. They beat San Jose State, St. Louis, Army and Long Island. In the semifinals, Ivanow shutout Army, 2-0. While overlooked as an All-American selection, Ivanow made the Pan-American Team and was a unanimous choice for the 1968 United States Olympic team.

Following the NCAA title game with a number of returning lettermen, the Dons had high hopes for the 1967 season. However, the team's goal of reaching its second consecutive national championship was dealt a setback when Ivanow broke his clavicle and was unable to play for the rest of the season. That year, the team lost the NCAA Western Regionals to San Jose State. Considered by many the greatest goalie ever to play at USF, Ivanow had an outstanding senior season as the defense limited their opponents to nine goals, including seven shutouts in 14 contests. Ivanow recorded five straight shutouts in regular season play.

Ivanow's soccer career continued after USF. He played as an amateur for the California Clippers in 1969, made the 1972 United States Olympic Team, and played on the United States National Team from 1971 to 1975. He also played professional soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes in 1974 and for the Seattle Sounders in 1976. He retired after the 1981 season. A long-time executive in the auto industry, Ivanow was employed at Jaguar of Bellevue.