Larry Larson Middle School

Larry Larson served many roles in his 28 years at Grandview Heights Schools (GHS) from 1966 to 1994, including teacher, coach, and athletic director.

Larson’s endless enthusiasm and support of GHS students, along with his signature bow tie, endeared him to our communities. The middle school was named for Larson in late 2013, with a dedication ceremony in May 2014.

Larson coached football at Grandview Heights High School (GHHS) for 17 years and served as head coach for seven years. He was honored as Central Ohio Football Coach of the Year in 1979. Larson also coached basketball at GHHS for nine years and was head coach for the 1980‐81 season.

Larson served as GHHS athletic director for 17 years and was named to the Ohio High School Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame in 1994. He was honored twice as Athletic Director of the Year by the Central Ohio Officials Association. The National College Foundation (Columbus Chapter) and College Hall of Fame presented Larson the Ohio Gold Award in 2001 (other recipients have included Archie Griffin, Woody Hayes, and Eddie George). Today, the National Football Foundation (Columbus Chapter) presents the annual Larry Larson High School Coaches Award in his honor. 

In 1969, Larson helped start a 5th/6th grade overnight camp program at GHS; to this day, the camp is eagerly anticipated by attending campers and their high school counselors. Larson attended the camps himself for many years, even after retiring to California in 2011. An estimated 5,000 students attended the camps and another 500 students were counselors during Larson’s time at the helm. 

Listen to Larson's enthusiasm for GHS and his students in this student-produced video (25:02-30:45). 

Larson worked as a sports reporter for WTVN-610 radio from 1994 to 2011 where he earned the moniker “Mr. High School Sports”. At the radio station, Larson ardently covered not only high school but also college and professional sports including Columbus Blue Jackets, all The Ohio State University sports teams, the Memorial and LPGA golf tournaments, Columbus Crew soccer, and Columbus Clippers baseball.

Larson was awarded the OHSAA Ethics and Integrity Award in 2010. Other recipients of this single annual award have included John Glenn, Jim Tressel, and Chris Spielman.

In an August 2011 farewell editorial by Larson in ThisWeek community newspaper, he offered this sage advice: “Go see a game” (to fans and parents) and “Tomorrow belongs to you” to high school athletes. 

Larson (top left) coached the GHHS football team to an unbeaten season in 1979. 

Larson (front in white shirt) leading GHS students at overnight camp he helped found (photo from CityScene magazine 2014). 

Larson delivering his final sportscast on 610 WTVN on July 31, 2011.