Don Larson mens track coach

[sambini]

I just want to wish Lars well in his recovery from his pulled tendon in his hamstring. He hurt it during a demo at his track clinic. Get well Lars.

[semobison]

I was fortunate do be involved in a couple clinic demos with Lars about 15 years ago. The man is an energizer bunny. He is, in my opinion the Best coach NDSU has in any sport, although often overlooked. Speedy recovery Lars!

[sambini]

Thanks SEMO he has surgery on monday at INNOVIS HOSPITAL IN FARGO. He will be laid up awhile.

[RonRabbit]

For those outside the Fargo media coverage...here's the story from Tuesday's Fargo Forum:

http://www.in-forum.com/archive/inde...&id=269248


NDSU coach undergoes surgery
By Jeff Kolpack jkolpack@forumcomm.com
Sports - 03/14/2006

North Dakota State head men’s track and field coach Don Larson was resting uncomfortably after undergoing a rare surgery Monday morning.

Larson tore the biceps femoris tendon -- the hamstring tendon in his upper leg -- while demonstrating a hurdle drill at a track camp for area kids two weeks ago. Less than 25 of the corrective surg eries are done each year, according to Desire’e Larson, Don’s wife.

“While getting ready for surgery, one of the nurses who has been there for like 15 or 20 years said she had never seen this injury,” Desire’e said.

It was a first for Bruce Piatt, an orthopedic surgeon at Dakota Clinic and the NDSU team physician. He contacted surgeons across the country, eventually talking with specialists at Duke University (N.C.) and hospitals in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

Piatt re-attached the tendon -- something he’s done many times, but just not to this particular bone.

Desire’e Larson said having the surgery performed by somebody with previous experience was not an option. For one, Don Larson, 52, is not able to get into a car or on an airplane without extreme effort. Plus, Desire’e said her husband wanted Piatt to do the procedure.

“We trust him completely,” she said. “And if he didn’t feel he could do it, he would have referred us to somebody else.”

Don Larson will be completely immobile for one week. He probably won’t be able to do much for four weeks and his coaching status for the rest of the year is unknown.

Ryun Godfrey, the head women’s coach, and assistant coach Stevie Keller will help with most of Don Larson’s duties, said NDSU athletic director Gene Taylor. Desire’e Larson is the program’s jumping coach.

“It’s kind of a coaching by committee anyway,” Taylor said. “Everybody has their specialty. I think they’ll pick up the slack.”

It won’t be a pleasant healing process for Don Larson. Because the tendon has to heal in a flexed position, his leg will be permanently bent at least a 60 degree angle. He has a special brace around his waste that has a belt attached to his shoe.

“There are not a lot of these injuries out there,” Desire’e Larson said.

Don Larson, in his 27th season at NDSU, has led the Bison to 36 North Central Conference indoor and outdoor titles. The Bison won the Division I independent championships last season in their first year in the division.

Readers can reach Forum reporter

Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546

[sambini]

Coach LARSON is in Meritcare recovering from blood clots from his surgery. He should be out in a couple of days.

[MJ]

I stopped by coach's house yesterday and he seems to be doing pretty good. His leg is in a brace to keep his hamstring in a stable position so he doesn't stretch the muscle out.

[tony]

That's great news. The blood clot thing was very scary - never know where those little buggers are going to end up.

[sambini]

I TALKED TO HIM YESTERDAY AND ALL SEEMS WELL.

[buffalobill]

WAC ATTACK FOR THE THIN CLADS AND THE HARRIERS

[sambini]

RIGHT ON BUFFALO BILL AND LARS WILL GET IT DONE+++++++++++++++++