Hall of Fame
Portland, N.D. native Earl Larson, a 1968 graduate who majored in mathematics and physical education, learned something about football as a Comet who played under legendary coach Jerome Berg and, from 1968-70, as a player for the Racine, Wis. Raiders, a semi-pro football team. At Racine he taught junior high mathematics and coached gymnastics, track and wrestling. In 1975 he moved to Thorp, Wis., where he took over a fledgling wrestling program as the high school wrestling coach. He ultimately achieved his dream of coaching high school football, beginning as an assistant from 1975-77. From 1978-97 he was Thorp’s head football coach. Again he took a team that was struggling early to becoming the conference champion in his fourth year at the helm. In 20 years of coaching his record was 125-67, with only four losing seasons. He continued to teach mathematics and also coached wrestling; junior high girls basketball; and was the first coach of the Thorp girls softball team. The fledgling fast-pitch team ultimately compiled a record of 152-82 and won two conference championships. Each year, in each sport, his athletes improved, winning conference championships and registering all-conference players. In 1993 he was chosen the Channel 7 Coach of the Year in the northwest area of Wisconsin by TV station WSAW from Wausau, Wis. Many of Larson’s players played college football and two went on to the NFL. Larson’s achievements at Thorp include a state football championship in 1993; runner-up in 1994; selection as head football coach of the north squad for the Shrine Bowl in 1997; election to the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002; and coaching the Chippewa McDonell H.S. girls softball to a state runner-up in 2005.
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