Scott Larson has announced he is stepping down as Director of Athletics at Lubbock Christian University to assume the Director of Athletics position at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.
“Chap Nation, thank you for your friendship and support over the last 11 years,” commented Larson. “My family and I have effectively grown up on the LCU campus and want to express our appreciation towards the university community for allowing us to be part the LCU family for so long. The coaches, staff, and student-athletes are among the best in the country, and we will miss them greatly. I look forward to our paths crossing again in the future. ‘Peck’em’ forever!”
Larson completed the past 11 school terms on staff with the LCU Athletics Department, serving as the Director of Compliance from 2012 – 2019, Interim Director of Athletics from 2019-2020, and the most recent three school years as Director of Athletics (2020-2023). After his arrival from USC Upstate, Larson helped transition LCU from NAIA to NCAA Division II membership. Serving as the Director of Athletics, Larson navigated the program through COVID, helped enhance facilities, and broadened the department with the addition of Esports and Men’s and Women’s Tennis. Additionally, he was instrumental in enhancing the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field programs to include more student-athletes.
LCU claimed a 2020-21 women’s basketball national title and has hosted a series of NCAA, NJCAA, UIL, and national high school regional and championship events under Larson’s departmental watch. Larson was integral in bringing new athletic venues to the campus including the newly constructed Gullo Tennis Center, the track & field facilities and soccer complex, as well as upgrades to the Maner Softball Park.
Over the recently-completed 2022-23 school term, LCU Athletics had its best finish ever in the Learfield Director’s Cup competition, which rewards programs based on a rating system accounting for all sports (performance success) for the annual school term.
The success was not limited to athletic contests; student athletes in the program excelled in the classroom as well. Chap and Lady Chap student-athletes consistently achieved an overall grade point average between a 3.2 and 3.4 with Larson overseeing the department. A program record 119 student-athletes were honored with the 2022-23 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, 173 student-athletes received Lone Star Conference Commissioner Honor Roll recognition (program high), and LCU led the Lone Star Conference with five programs receiving LSC Team Academic Champion honors.
At the NCAA level, Larson’s committee appointments include Student-Athlete Reinstatement, Legislation (Chair), Compliance Think Tank (Legislative Subgroup Chair), Transfer Portal Advisory Group, Board of Governors Federal and State Legislation working group member for Name, Image, and Likeness, and Softball Regional Advisory Committee. He is also on the NACDA Executive Committee, NAAC DII Committee Chair, and Division II Education Program Committee Chair.
LCU President, Dr. Scott McDowell, stated, “Scott Larson has done a tremendous job for us as athletic director with success competitively, and more importantly, with significant success missionally among our coaches and student athletes. Lives have been changed for the better under his watch, and the academic achievement of our student athletes is also particularly noteworthy. I have personally enjoyed my working relationship with Scott, and as we pause to celebrate his accomplishments at LCU, I wish him the very best.”
The university will begin an immediate search for a new Director of Athletics.