• 2015 CoSIDA Special Awards general announcement/release
• Special Awards feature story schedule
By Jack Neumann, University of Calgary (retired)/CoSIDA Special Awards Committee
After a sports information career that has spanned three decades at two different schools, but mainly at Weber State, Brad Larsen will receive a 2015 CoSIDA Lifetime Achievement Award. Larsen is the retired sports information director, and he began working at WSU in August of 1979.
A native of Logan, Utah, and a 1978 graduate of Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and minor in public relations, Larsen got his feet wet in the business by serving as a student assistant for the Aggies. His first full-time job was at the University of Northern Iowa, spending most of 1979 with the Panthers before joining the Weber State staff late in the year. He retired after more than 32 years with the Wildcats on April 1, 2011.
While at Weber State, Larsen oversaw the publicity of all Weber State men’s and women’s sports on a daily basis through press releases, publications, and game day programs, along with game and cumulative statistics. He was the main contact for men’s basketball and football for the Wildcats.
Larsen was involved with activities beyond Weber State. He was the Assistant Venue Press Chief for gymnastics and tennis at the 1984 Olympics held in on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles.
Larsen served as media coordinator for four NCAA Division I men’s basketball first and second round games in 1980, 1986 and 1994 as well as the 1983 West Regional. He also served as media coordinator for eight Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Tournaments during his tenure at Weber State.
While at Weber State, Larsen was a member of the Hall of Fame selection committee since 1989. In addition, he helped promote quarterback Jamie Martin for the Walter Payton Trophy in his senior year.
Many student-athletes at Weber State have fond memories of Larsen during their tenure at the school. Former Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman Bruce Covernton remembers Larsen and some members of the football coaching staff making the long 16 hour drive to see Covernton play his first game as a professional in Calgary.
“Brad is a great person and was a fabulous SID,” said Covernton, who played with the Stampeders from 1992-98. “He had bounds of energy and excitement, and always percolated Weber State. He loved his job, life and cared about the student-athletes. I have nothing but fond memories of my four years with Brad.”
At the CoSIDA level, Larsen served on the Committee on Committees, and received his 25-year award from the organization at the 2005 convention.
He received a CoSIDA Publications Award (third place) for best poster featuring 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer of BYU and 1991 Walter Payton Award winner Jamie Martin of Weber State (pictured with Larsen, right).