The University of Mary’s first full time Sports Information Director, Brian Larson joined Marauders athletics in August 2006 as the program embarked on its first season competing against NCAA and Northern Sun competition.
As the Assistant Director of Athletics - Communications, you can find Brian at the scorer’s table during most Marauders events keeping game statistics, creating game stories and posting updates on social media. You may also spot him taking photos. He is known to call the occasional Marauders basketball playoff game on the radio, provide audio for a baseball or softball game webcast or serve as public address announcer.
The liaison for Marauders athletics to the media and general public, Brian’s responsibilities include updating and maintaining the GoUMary.com web site, creating press releases, game programs and various publications, keeping and maintaining game, season and historical team statistics, coordinating photography, managing social media accounts, webcasting, chairing the Marauders Hall of Fame, and more. Recent projects included crafting the historical text and the finding of several of the images used in the new Marauders Hall of Fame located in the University of Mary Lumen Vitae University Center, implementing the UMaryTickets.com site and assisting in the unveiling and usage of the revised Marauders logo.
Brought on board by Marauders Hall of Fame athletic director Al Bortke, Brian has been involved with all Marauders athletic teams during his time at UMary and worked NCAA tournament games for the UMary women’s soccer and men’s and women’s basketball teams. In addition to covering UMary team accomplishments, he also has seen several Marauders student-athletes move on to the professional ranks, including Minnesota Twins draft choice Andy Leer, Sioux Falls Sky Force D-League selection Anthony Moody and slam dunk champion Devan Douglas join the Harlem Globetrotters.
A native of Moorhead, MN, Brian’s path towards a career in athletic communication began in high school as sports editor for the student newspaper. He then attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with honors with a degree in Public Relations in 1989. Soon Brian joined the North Dakota athletic department as a graduate assistant in Sports Information where he crossed paths with two football coaches he would later work alongside at the University of Mary as Roger Thomas and Dale Lennon both became athletic directors for the Marauders. As a graduate assistant at UND, Brian worked with a variety of sports, including the NCAA Division I hockey program, and helped earn the department a trio of honors from CoSIDA.
Brian moved to Mayville State University in 1992 as an admissions representative, later becoming the assistant director of financial aid before being named enrollment services director. For several years Brian also handled the Comets sports information duties. Brian would eventually become the voice for Comets football, calling action on the gridiron for over a decade. He also had the opportunity to announce basketball action at national tournaments and regional baseball tournament games. In 2004 Brian served as the director of sports information and marketing at MSU. While at Mayville State he worked alongside a pair of men’s basketball coaches now running NCAA Division I programs (UMary alumni Tim Miles at Nebraska and Craig Smith at Utah State) and one of the all-time winningest baseball coaches in NAIA history (Scott Berry).
A one-time volunteer youth soccer, baseball and softball coach and Bismarck Quarterback Club volunteer, Brian has also taught courses in Public Speaking and Sports Media. Brian and his wife Kay, who worked on the stat crew for UND hockey while in college, have a pair of daughters. Emma is a UMary student and an occasional photographer for Marauders athletics. Mabel, who helped manage her high school’s basketball team and often provides assistance on Marauders game days, is also a student at UMary.
