Julian Larry named Lake Land College men’s basketball coach
At the May board meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees appointed Assistant Coach Julian Larry as head men’s basketball coach. Larry was a part of the basketball program for four years and also served as an outreach advisor for the TRiO Destination College program.
Larry has been serving as the co-head coach following the resignation of head coach Brandon Colvin in March.
Not only did Larry say he is excited about the opportunity to transition into his new role as head coach of the men’s basketball team, he will also be taking on a new role within the college as the Perkins program specialist.
“I will have more responsibilities,” Larry said. “I know there will be challenges that will arise, but I’m excited to begin leading the basketball program in a new direction and bring new energy and enthusiasm to the team. I am also looking forward to helping college students graduate and move into their career fields in my new position as Perkins program specialist.”
What Larry said he is most looking forward to is helping the young men become leaders and positive contributors in the community. It was his connection to young male student athletes that Larry felt made him ideal for the position.
“I am relatable to the guys on the team and what they go through during their time as student athletes in college,” Larry said. “I am a player’s coach so I understand what student athletes need to be successful. I want my passion and enthusiasm for life to pass on to my current and future players.”
Prior to coming to Lake Land College, Larry spent two years under former head coach Colvin at Dakota College at Bottinau. Also during his time at Dakota College at Bottinau, he was an academic advisor for all students, intramural sports director and director of retention. Before that, Larry was the assistant basketball coach and served as the program coordinator for a minority males program at Catawba Valley Community College for two years.
Larry received a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and university studies from Dickinson State University. Beginning his coaching career at Dickinson State University, the same university where Larry finished his playing career, Larry said some of his most rewarding moments are seeing student athletes walk across the stage at graduation.
Moving forward, Larry said he has completed the 2020 recruiting class during the time of quarantine. Signing eight student athletes to the roster from all over the world, Larry said he cannot wait to get to work for the upcoming school year.
“I want the men’s basketball program to be positive influences in the community,” Larry said. “I look forward to building those relationships.”
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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
