Former NDSU Assistant Football Coach Donavon Larson Passes Away
12/6/2004 6:00:00 AM | Football
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.
The funeral has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi, Minn. There will be an one hour visitation before the funeral services.
Visitation will be held at Mueller Lake Mortuary, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake, Minn., on Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 5-8 p.m.
Cards and letters can be sent to: Larson Family, C/O Hamline University MS-A1795, 1536 Hewitt Ave., Saint Paul, Minn. 55104.
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.
