Vilhelm Larsen

Teacher/Coach

Coaching

• Washburn's first track coach
• Head track coach: 1926-1952
• Undefeated teams in dual meets for 12 years
• Metropolitan Area Indoor Meet Champions for 8 of the 12 years
• 4 State champion teams: 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1947

• Washburn's first hockey coach
• Head hockey coach: 1928-1933
• City champion team: 1929 - Washburn's first city championship in any sport

• Trainer on Washburn's first football team: 1927

Vilhelm Larsen was one of the most influential coaches in the early years of Washburn High School athletics. Vilhelm was instrumental in establishing three different sports at Washburn: Track, Hockey and Gymnastics.

Larsen was Washburn's first track coach, coaching from 1926 through 1952. He coached four state championship teams (1940, 1941, 1942 and 1947) as well as numerous city championship teams. He developed many individual champions with an expertise in hurdling. His teams were undefeated in dual meets for twelve straight years and won the Metropolitan Area Indoor Meet in eight of those twelve years.

Larsen established the hockey team at Washburn in 1928 and coached the team through 1933. His 1929 Washburn hockey team won Washburn's first city team championship in any sport.

Vilhelm was the trainer for the first Washburn football team in 1927.

Lastly, Vilhelm Larsen was a renowned sculptor whose works can be seen around the city.