About Larry
Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, Larry lived most of his life in East Orange, New Jersey. He attended Stockton and Columbian Elementary Schools in East Orange and was a graduate of Bishop Walsh Essex Catholic High School. Larry was recruited by 60 different colleges. His choice was the University of Notre Dame, in South Bend, Indiana, where he was awarded a B.S. in Economics and M.S. in Counseling Psychology.
Larry was a natural athlete, while attending Essex Catholic, he excelled lettering in 3 sports; Basketball, Football and Track & Field for which he held a state record for 20 years in shot put and discus. He was named 1st Team-All City and All State. Larry was awarded the prestigious "Men of Essex Award" as the outstanding scholar athlete in Essex County ’66.
As a member of the Fighting Irish football team at Notre Dame, Larry’s accomplishments included the Herring Award, New Jersey’s Selected All-American, Independent Colleges All-American, Midwest All-American and was their first African American football defensive captain. Larry served as an Assistant Coach in 1970 at Notre Dame, was named Essex Coach of the Year by the East Orange Record in 1992 and 1996, and the Star Ledger in 1992 and 1996. In 1997, was named Coach of the Year by the East Orange Irish Association. Inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame, Essex Catholic Foundation Hall of Fame, Notre Dame Centennial Award, and appointed as Honorary Head Coach of the North-South Football Classic. Larry also served as Head Football Coach at Clifford J. Scott, Essex Catholic, Summit, Central and East Orange Campus High Schools. Larry worked with the Medger Evers College, Summit, Newark and East Orange School Districts, and the Essex County Vocational School. He also served as a Senior Manager with Munford & McGrady, Inc., in Newark, NJ and as a Career Education Counselor with the State Department of Education. In 1998, Larry was appointed by the Honorable Robert L. Bowser, Mayor of the City of East Orange, New Jersey, to serve as a City Official in the position of Director of Recreation & Cultural Affairs, which he held until his passing. Larry was the Co-Founder/Administrator of the Annual Paul Robeson Football Classic. He was the only member of the Men of Essex Organization who was also a recipient of the Men of Essex Award. Larry served on the Essex Catholic High School Foundation and as a member of the Notre Dame Monogram Club.
