Fred Larson

Larson took over the Fredonia cross-country squad in ‘66. Over the ensuing 30 seasons, Larson led the Hillbillies to 25 CCIAC league championships, including an incredible run of 19 consecutive titles from 1967 to 1985.

His cross-country teams won 13 Section VI championships and created an amazing career mark of 568 wins against only 30 dual meet losses. During one stretch from 1971-1984, the Orange and Black runners went undefeated in 250 consecutive meets to set a New York State record.

Larson was the 1989 National High School Cross-Country Coach of the Year. Section VI chose the Hillbillies as its Cross-Country Team of the 1970s.

“Ferd” was equally successful as a track and field coach from 1966-1985 and then, after a short hiatus, from 1987-1995.

Working along side his brother, Jack, he led his teams to 16 CCIAC league titles and 7 Section VI championships. His career record was 139 wins and only 28 losses.

Larson was inducted into the Fredonia High School Hall of Fame in 2001. Inscribed on his plaque is one paragraph that reads “Coach Larson will always be known as a great cross-country coach. However, what made Coach Larson even more special was his ability to take a child that no one else saw as talented and convince those individuals that they could be great. Then “Ferd” would spend countless hours to ensure that they would be. Coach Larson gave to his athletes the inner self-worth, along with desire and dedication, to not only become wonderful athletes, but wonderful parents, employees and people.”

Retired since 1995, Larson has continued to make Fredonia his home.