Coach Fred “Ferd” Larson
The heat days and funky nights of late September take me again to 1969, the place the candy scent of ripening harmony grapes nearing harvest joins recollections of my cross-country days underneath the steering of Coach Fred “Ferd” Larson of Fredonia High School.
Like farmers nurturing their tender vines, Coach Larson tended his personal crop of younger males that fall.
The instances we lived in had been unsure, very like in the present day. But his perception in us helped us understand our potential. First throughout that fall cross-cross nation season, then within the far broader fields of life.
Every group member, and there have been about 35 of us, obtained particular person consideration from Coach Larson, whether or not a standout, or like me, doggedly decided to complete every race to the perfect of my very own quite restricted skill.
My cross-country senior-class brothers included Wes Sly, Wayne Bryan, James Callen, Kirk Rowland, Gary Graminski and Charles Carter. Many others of our class and upcoming lessons additionally made excellent contributions.
The Class of 1970, which celebrated its fifty fifth reunion in July on the splendidly restored White Inn, was among the many first in what was to turn into a FHS cross-country and observe dynasty underneath Coach Larson. He taught me concerning the worth of exhausting work, sportsmanship and taking the lengthy view. Many classmates on the reunion recalled Coach Larson and their years at FHS with a lot fondness.
I used to be to find that life, like that way back cross-country season, had heat, sunny days and bitter, chilly, snowy ones. Showing up for every meet and giving your all regardless of challenges proved an necessary life lesson.
Win or lose, Coach Larson anticipated every of us to do our private finest. The group gained and saved successful in a contest the place the bottom rating means victory.
In his later years, Coach Larson, a star as a scholar athlete, turned a well-known determine working on village streets.
I spoke with him many instances throughout my all-too rare journeys to Fredonia. He all the time had a sort phrase of encouragement for me and talked about others of my FHS period with happiness. The county sports activities corridor of fame acknowledged him a number of years in the past for his management and achievements within the Fredonia faculty neighborhood.
I’m proud to be among the many hundreds of “old boys” Coach Larson helped information although the difficult cross-country course of life.
John J. Runfola Jr. is a Schenectady resident and Fredonia High School Class of 1970 member.