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Cal Poly Pomona Athletics Hall of Fame

Larsen

Debra Larsen

  • Class
    1987
  • Induction
    2016
  • Sport(s)
    Basketball, Track & Field
One of the most decorated athletes in Cal Poly Pomona's history, Debra Larsen became a seven-time All-American while starring in basketball and track and field.
 
"This is quite an honor," said Larsen. "A lot of great athletes have come through Cal Poly Pomona and I'm honored to be selected."
 
Larsen was a two-sport athlete for the Broncos as she competed in both basketball and track and field. She was a member of two national championship squads in basketball, helping the Broncos to the national title in both the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons. In 1986 she was also the NCAA D-II National Champion in the heptathlon.
 
Along with her three national champion accolades, Larsen earned seven All-American nods in her time with CPP. Her performance in track and field landed her six of those All-American accolades, and her seventh came from basketball.
 
A sought-after athlete in high school, Larsen's talent was recognized at the D-I level, but her love for the game of basketball landed her at Cal Poly Pomona.
 
"Initially I was offered a full-ride track scholarship to USC," said Larsen, who attended USC for a year and a half. "But when a new coach came in and told me I couldn't also play basketball, I decided to look at other options because basketball meant a lot to me. I obviously knew of the history of Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball and once I met Darlene May, I knew it was the right place to go."
 
Larsen was named the D-II National Player of the Year for NCAA women's basketball in 1987. After the Broncos' second-consecutive national championship season, she was also named the NCAA D-II All-Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
 
The Washington native was also twice named the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of the Year. With her supreme talent, Larsen earned the title of CCAA Female Athlete of the Year.
 
Larsen attributes a lot of her success to the tutelage of fellow Bronco Hall of Famer and former coach Darlene May.
 
"I can't imagine a better coach than Coach May," said Larsen. "She was a very passionate coach and there were always days where we didn't see eye to eye. But we became very good friends after I finished college. Her style of motivation and dedication is what made her unique. Sometimes she came across as harsh but she always wanted the best for her student-athletes and she knew what it would take for us to be successful."
 
Off the court and over to the track, Larsen earned All-American accolades for her performance in the heptathlon in 1985 and 1986. She also earned All-American honors for high jump, javelin, long jump, and shot put in 1986.
 
Taking a look at the CPP record books, one will see Larsen's name a number of times. She holds the No. 1 spot in heptathlon, No. 3 in long jump, she is tied for second in high jump, third in shot put, and fourth in javelin.
 
Currently she serves as the Executive Director of the Lakewood Meals on Wheels program. In her time at CPP, Larsen majored in Physical Education.
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