FARGO, N.D. – Don Larson probably couldn't tell you the number of conference champions he coached for North Dakota State track & field. Nor could he rattle off every single All-American on his teams in the past four decades. There's simply too many to recall. It might even be a stretch to get the full list of NCAA champions who competed for Bison track & field under his watch.
 
But 'Lars' could offer you so much more.
 
He'd be quick to tell you about each of the 10 NCAA Postgraduate Scholars who passed through the program during his tenure. Lars can name the parents, siblings, relatives, high school coaches, and so on, of athletes who wore the green and yellow decades ago. He can proudly detail dozens of standout teachers, engineers, doctors, farmers, coaches, lawyers, principals, and businessmen who he coached in their time at NDSU.
 
That's what has always been most important to Lars – the people beyond the athletic career. For him, it was never about winning championships as much as it was about learning to compete, handling adversity, and making a positive impression on those around you.
 
When it's all totaled up, Lars has made an impact on thousands during his time at NDSU. A time that – he announced this week – is soon coming to an end.
 
After 41 years as the head coach of the Bison men's track & field and cross country programs, Larson has announced his retirement.
 
Larson started at North Dakota State in the fall of 1979 and established a championship track & field tradition that spanned decades. Under his guidance, the Bison claimed 11 of the past 12 Summit League outdoor team championships, along with eight indoor league crowns. NDSU has captured 10 consecutive Summit League outdoor team titles, winning the league every year since 2010.
 
In 41 years as the head coach at NDSU, Larson directed his track & field and cross country teams to 59 conference team championships. He is a 17-time Summit League Coach of the Year and totaled nearly 60 Coach of the Year honors across various levels.
 
In his first 25 years, all at the Division II level, the Bison captured 36 total North Central Conference team titles including a conference-record string of 13 consecutive outdoor titles (1987-99) and 20 of the last 22 outdoor crowns.
 
He coached a total of 193 NCAA Division II All-America performances, including four individual competitors who won 11 national championships. The Bison also had success at the Division II national meet as a team, finishing in the top 10 seven times outdoors including a third-place finish in 2004 – the school's best finish at a national meet.
 
As the head cross country coach, Larson also coached nine athletes to 13 NCAA Division II All-America awards.
 
Those are the numbers that make up only a small portion of Lars' legacy. What carries much more weight, though, is the genuine personal connection he made with thousands along the way. His athletes, his assistant coaches, opposing coaches, meet officials, athletics staff, professors, Team Makers, facilities workers – name a group of people who crossed paths with the Bison track & field program, and Lars built meaningful relationships with them along the way.
 
In a legendary career filled with such a jaw-dropping list of accomplishments, the title of head track & field coach doesn't even come close to encompassing Lars. He spent countless days going out of his way to solve problems, help others, and elevate those around him. Lars did anything and everything to serve his student-athletes, with his years of relentless hard work leading directly to improved odds of success for the Bison. He is the epitome of a servant leader.
 
While his official title of Head Coach will change, the legacy of Lars continues to grow exponentially. His character, his example, and his leadership will continue to shape North Dakota State track & field and Bison Athletics.
 
Coach. Mentor. Friend.
 
And, without a doubt – legend.