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December 6
Coach Donavon Larson dies from heart attack
Recently retired Hamline University head football coach Donavon Larson died of a heart attack Sunday morning at his Mahtomedi, Minn. home. Larson coached the Pipers for four seasons from 2001-04 before announcing his retirement at the end of the 2004 season. He is survived by his wife Cindy Werges Larson, Hamline class of 1969, and his three children, Heidi (Ken) Clark of Minneapolis, Minn., Molly (John) Giovinco of Chanhassen, Minn. and Adam (Melissa) of Mahtomedi, Minn. "We are stunned and saddened by the loss of Donavon," Director of Athletics Dan O'Brien said. "He had a positive impact on all of us in the Hamline community. Our thoughts are with Cindy and the family." The funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 9 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, Minnesota. There will be a one hour visitation before the funeral services. Visitation will be held at Mueller Lake Mortuary, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, MN on Wednesday. December 8 from 5-8 p.m. Cards and letters can be sent to: Larson Family
Larson coached various levels of football for 37 years. Before taking the job at Hamline, Larson coached for 14 seasons at North Dakota State University where he served as the defensive line coach. The Bison compiled a 128-36-1 record during Larson's stay, including five North Central Conference titles, nine playoff berths and two National Championships (1988 and 1990). Larson also coached 18 seasons of high school football in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was a sophomore coach at Wausau (Wis.) East High School for one season before earning head coaching positions at Brooten (1970-73), Sauk Centre (1974-75), Hibbing (1976-77), Blaine (1978-83), and Albert Lea High School (1984-86). A native of Osseo, Minn., Larson was a four-year letterman at Hamline in both football and track. Larson was a starting running back on the Pipers' 8-1 MIAC Championship team in 1966. He was captain, team MVP and Jerry Smith Memorial Award winner in 1968 as the Pipers again finished 8-1. He graduated from Hamline in 1969 with a degree in physical education. Hamline University belongs to the NCAA Division III Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. Hamline supports 19 intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women. Find out more about Hamline athletics at www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/athletics. Rigorous academics and innovative programs attract and challenge a diverse and talented student body in Hamline University’s undergraduate college, graduate school, and law school. Guided by faculty who are leaders in their fields, Hamline’s nearly 4,400 students experience an intimate environment of small classes and personal attention along with the opportunities of a comprehensive university. Ranked first in Minnesota among comprehensive universities by U.S. News and World Report, Hamline is also Minnesota’s first university, founded in 1854. |