Larry Gerow

Inducted 2008

Stats & Honors | Film Room | HOF Q&A

An absolute tank in the trenches, he earned the reputation as one of the greatest blockers in school history as the All-Area, All-State and All-American anchor of an offensive line that helped outscore opponents 222-46 in 1961. A superior placekicker, he was also an all-area performer on the baseball field, leading the 1961 BHS squad in hitting and RBIs. A tireless advocate for BHS athletics, he has dedicated immeasurable time and effort to improving the fields of play, as well as the games themselves.

Stats & Honors

FOOTBALL

    • All Conference
    • All Area
    • All State Class C - First Team
    • All American High School Squad as selected by the Wigwam Wiseman of America
    • Kicked 18 extra point conversions & 2 field goals during the 1961 season
    • His coach, Joe Mikolajczak, called Gerow "the best blocker I've ever seen in high school football."
    • As his team's kickoff specialist, he averaged 44.8 yards per kick and booted two field goals and 16 extra points in 1961
    • BHS team ranked 3rd in the state for most of the 1961 season and boasted one of central Michigan's leading offensive teams; outscored opponents 222-46; shut out first four opponents 180-0

OTHER SPORTS

    • All-Area Honorable mention as a catcher for the BHS baseball team as a junior, leading the team in hitting and RBIs
    • As a senior on the baseball team, won three straight games in the Mt. Pleasant Invitational before losing in the finals to Edmore, 2-1
    • Received the Beaverton Lions Club annual award for outstanding boy athlete in 1962
    • Also a BHS standout in basketball, track and bowling

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

    • Has served on the BHS Football chain gang since 1980, a post he maintains today
    • Spent many hours helping relocate the football field to its present location and constructing the BYRP's baseball diamonds
    • Kept the clock at boys JV & varsity basketball games from 1984 to 1989

Film Room

 

Induction Speech - Dec. 13, 2008

 

HOF Q&A

As the All-American anchor of a BHS offensive line that outscored opponents 222-46 in the 1961 season, Larry Gerow knew plenty about moving the chains. Almost 50 years later, he still does, as part of the BHS football crew's chain gang. Following notification that he'd been named a member of BRSHOF's inaugural class, he spent some time sharing his thoughts on BHS sports.

Like many players in your day, you played multiple sports. Which was your favorite?
Football; that's the one I enjoyed the most.

You enjoyed quite a bit of success on the playing field. Which teammates helped bring out the best in your game? How did they do that?
Jim Newman, Walt Offenbecker, Devilo Greenacre, Larry Grove and Homer Warner. All were all-conference picks at their respective positions.

Who were the players from other schools who gave your team the most headaches? What was your approach in trying to beat them?
Doug Redman from Gladwin - you had to account for him on every play, whether he got the ball or not. He was an All-State caliber player with speed. Al Charboneau from Pinconning was another player that you had to watch out for on every play. He could run with power or with speed.

You’ve stayed involved with BHS athletics long after you graduated. In that time, what are the best and worst things that have happened to high school athletics? What would you change if you could?
Of the best, the rule changes in football that protect the player a little more, such as making it illegal to block below the waist. One of the worst is the disrespect players have for the referees and coaches, including sideline language (from coaches and players). I would also like to see better participation from students that have the potential to play but do not go out for the sport. Restore the pride in BHS.

Who was the coach that you learned the most from, and what did he or she teach you?
The coach that I learned the most from was Coach Joe Mikolajczak. He taught us sportsmanship, teamwork and respect for coaches and teammates.

What are your favorite three athletic memories from your playing days?
1) A 32-yard field goal I kicked against Gladwin in my senior year. 2) Kicked five conversions, ran for one and kicked a 22-yard field goal against Arenac Eastern. 3) Jim Newman changing the play call by Coach Mike for an extra point conversion to a pass play, and the butt-chewing he received in the locker room at halftime.

In basketball, who’s your all-time Beaverton High School starting five?
I've got six: Ken Govitz, Bob Grant, Pat Kalahar, Doyle Durkee, Jeff Johnston and Jimmy Hess.

In football, who are your all-time BHS top five players?
Jim Newman, Dan Grant, Mike Loar, Dick Govitz & Chet Loar.

What is your proudest BHS moment as a player, coach or fan?
As a player, receiving the All State Football award. As a fan, the 1984 Semifinal basketball game in Ann Arbor.

Are there any thoughts or memories you can share on the other members of your Hall of Fame class:

  • Ken Govitz - Watching him play basketball in the old community building down town by the Gem Theater
  • Clarence Metzger - He was my high school principal; I bowled and worked with him at football games
  • Becky Phillips - She taught both our boys eighth grade algebra
  • Dick Van Wieren - Working with him at football games

How does it feel to be enshrined in the BHS Hall of Fame?
What an honor! To be inducted in the initial class is unbelievable.