Spanning the Ages

And then there are those who stay around for an eternity, providing an everlasting source of experience and knowledge. Ask them to share their insights and their face is sure to light up.

If ever there were an example of the latter, it most certainly would be former Arizona men's basketball head coach Bruce Larson.

Larson, currently an associate professor in the exercise and sports sciences department, has been involved with the UA in one way or another for nearly 50 years, and is currently the color commentator for Arizona football and basketball on KTTU channel 18 .

A native of Fargo, N.D., Larson came to school at Arizona in 1948 after transferring from the University of North Dakota following his freshman year. He lettered for two years in basketball and baseball, playing basketball under coaching legend Fred Enke after forfeiting a year of eligibility due to his transfer.

Upon his graduation in 1950, Larson, or "Coach" as his students call him, spent time coaching at several different small colleges before returning to Arizona as an assistant to Enke in 1959.

Larson took over as head coach in 1962 and remained at the helm until 1972.

Larson said that coaching has been and will be one of his life's greatest rewards.

"The competition amongst all the guys was great," Larson said. "It was and still is all about giving your best effort and letting the rest take care of itself."

Larson said that times were different in his time due to the lack of resources in scouting an opponent.

"Coaches didn't trade video tapes of games back then," Larson said. "You didn't get a chance to see a team back east before you played them, so you just had to adjust throughout the course of the game."

Larson walked the sidelines during one of the most fragile times in the history of college athletics.

He was hired during the volatile 1960's, when a number of college campuses were tormented by protests against the Vietnam War and demonstrations by black students as well.

Larson's broadcast partner and friend Dave Sitton said that the coach had many obstacles to overcome to become a successful head coach, and he handled it all remarkably well.

"Bruce really endured some very stressful times coaching at Arizona," Sitton said. "He handled the entire situation with a great deal of professionalism."

One such time is chronicled in the book "They Fought Like Wildcats," by Abe Chanin.

It tells of the 1970 home game versus BYU, a team that did not recruit black athletes at that time. In response, the black athletes at Arizona demanded that they could wear black armbands in protest during the game.

Larson recalls that his position in the Mormon Church caused him to not think about all of his players' feelings.

"I realize now that by allowing our black players to wear the armbands we hadn't considered the position of the white players on our team," Larson said. "It was the toughest time I had experienced in all my years of coaching."

Larson continues to use his vast knowledge of the game in his broadcasting and in his visits with opposing coaches and teams.

"Broadcasting is a lot like coaching," Larson said. "You analyze and break down all aspects of the game and the great thing is that you can just go home after the game is over without worrying who won and lost."

Sitton also said that he is constantly amazed by Coach's visits with both opposing coaches and former players.

"What strikes me the most about Bruce are his exchanges with opposing coaches and his players that he still keeps in contact with," Sitton said. "He really has a tremendous understanding of the game, and his players have a true affection for him as both a coach and a human being."

Larson's influence goes far beyond the hardwood as he is heavily involved in the community in various charities.

One such endeavor illustrates his tremendous presence and the respect that his peers have for him.

The Boy Scouts of America hold an annual event called the Explorer Olympics and Larson is the current chairman.

Last year the games were renamed the Bruce Larson Explorer/Varsity Olympics because of his contributions.

Keith Ashby, a spokesman for the event, said that Larson's work is what keeps the event going from year to year.

"Coach arranges all of the facilities and helps to raise money for the event," Ashby said. "He also emcee's a number of our events throughout the year, and I cannot remember the last time he turned down a request of ours."