Track

Jeff Larson, a 1992 George Fox alum and former member of the GFU track and cross country teams, returns to the university in 2008 as an assistant coach in charge of the distance runners.

A certified USATF Level II coach, Larson has spent the last 15 years coaching and teaching at several Oregon high schools. His 11 years of head coaching experience in schools ranging from 1A Imbler High School to 6A Redmond High School allowed him to gain valuable knowledge of all track and field events. Larson used this knowledge to develop more than 50 all-state athletes including athletes who won 11 individual state titles, two relay state titles, and one who earned a high school all-American award in the decathlon.

Larson's teams were equally successful winning nine conference track championships, and six team trophies at the Oregon state track meet including a state championship in 2005 at Nyssa High School. As a result of these strong team performances Larson was twice named 2A Girls Coach of the Year (2003, 2005) by Who's Who in Oregon Track and Field and once named Boys 2A Coach of the Year (2005-06) by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association.

A native of La Grande, Oregon, Larson currently lives in Lafayette with his wife Louise and their three children. He teaches social studies at Willamina High School and enjoys mountain biking and gardening in his spare time.

"Jeff brings both versatility and a passion for the sport that is going to compliment our staff well.," says head track and field coach John Smith. "His knowledge and approachability will give our athletes all the tools they need to improve and bring the distance program to the forefront of the conference."