Mike Larsen - MCSHOF Inductee - 2006

A two-time all-state basketball player at Ludington High, Mike Larsen set records for the most points scored in a career (1,336) and in a game (45). He also set records for rebounds in a career (1,097), a season (460) and a game (30). Mike led the Orioles to a 19-4 finish and a berth in the Class B state semifinals in 1971. Averaging 23.7 points per game as a junior and 25 as a senior, he earned All-America honorable mention honors. His play as a quarterback and linebacker in football earned him all-conference honors as well. In track and field, Mike competed in the shot put, the high and low hurdles and the long jump. In 1971, he broke his brother Tom's school record in the shot and his mark of 53 feet, 4 1/2 inches stood for almost 30 years. His low hurdles record of 21.1 seconds on the curve still stands. Larsen earned nine varsity letters in high school, three in each sport. He received college scholarship offers in all three sports but chose to play basketball at the University of Toledo, where he played on the varsity for four years. A three-year starter and letter winner, he was the team's co-captain his senior year and received the university's 'Senior Athlete of the Year' award. With 1,020 points, Larsen was the 14th Toledo player to surpass 1,000 in his career. In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Toledo's Athletic Hall of Fame. His coach, Bob Nichols, called Larsen "one of the five most outstanding athletes I have ever coached." Ohio State coach Fred Taylor called Larsen "very strong, a gifted athlete who gets the most out of his talent. He doesn't force shots, but he's an excellent shooter. We couldn't handle him." After graduating from Toledo in 1976, Larsen went to France where he played on, and coached, a men's national team for four years. He then coached a girl's national team for two years and guided them to the French Nationals finals. He also coached the team in the European Cup. In 1981, he was appointed head coach of the French National team that played in Peru. While in France, he also taught a sports studies class and began working for the Michelin Tire Corporation. After working for Michelin in the Detroit area for over 20 years, Mike and his wife of 30 years, Jody Tolles, moved to South Carolina where he served as Vice President North American Original Equipment Sales at Michelin's North American Headquarters in Greenville. The Larsen's now reside back home in Ludington.