Chuck Larson

Class of 1965 and coach

Chuck Larson touched every facet of Ripon College athletics over four years as a student and 40 years as a coach and educator.

He was standout student athlete in tennis, a coach in tennis, football and swimming, an educator in the exercise science department, chair of the physical education department and athletic director.

He was born Charles Leroy “Chuck” Larson in July 1943 in San Francisco, California. He chose to attend Ripon College because of the opportunities it offered to get a great education and to play tennis for Coach Bob Ashley, Larson said. At Ripon, he majored in mathematics and physical education and was a member of Phi Kappa Pi (Merriman).

As a student-athlete, he excelled on the tennis court and was a singles conference champion. After receiving a master’s degree from Penn State University and a doctorate from Indiana University, both in physical education, Larson returned to Ripon in 1966 as a professor of physical education, assistant football coach, head tennis and swimming coach.

He led Ripon’s tennis teams to 22 conference championships during his 39 years at the helm, from 1966-2005. Men’s tennis won eight consecutive conference titles (1985-1992) during his tenure.

After just two years as women’s tennis coach, Larson guided the team to a perfect 14-0 record and their first conference championship in 1988. The women proceeded to win four consecutive championships (1988-191).

Larson also served as Ripon’s swim coach for 20 years, winning conference championships in 1971 and 1972.

In addition to his teaching and coaching positions, Larson served as chair of the physical education department and athletic director for 14 years. He was inducted in the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990.

He retired in 2005.

“The people have always made Ripon special,” Larson said. “The students, faculty, and staff make Ripon outstanding.”

One former player, Paul VandenBoogaard, Class of 2006, took lessons he learned from Larson into his own career as a tennis coach.

“Coach Larson … was always on your case about missing shots that you should have not missed even if it was in practice. He taught me that you need to take every shot in practice just as seriously as you would in a match,” VandenBoogaard said.

“Coach had so many little ways of getting the most out of his players and this little thing was so small at the time, but now looking back it is something that I have tried instilling not only in the kids I coach and teach, but in life lessons off the court. Do everything the best that you can at all times and don’t take any shortcuts along the way.”

The Larson family’s ties to Ripon run deep. Larson’s wife, Karen, had her first job as a librarian at Lane Library. Alumni connections include their three children, Sarah Larson Sippel, Class of 1995, Rebecca Larson, Class of 1997, and Charles “Charlie” Larson III, Class of 2000; two of their children’s spouses, Todd Sippel, Class of 1995, and Kersten Holm Larson, Class of 2000; two nephews, a niece, and their spouses.