Former AAU Cross Country National Chair Inducted into Hall of Fame
10/31/2022
Larry Wilson has been a member of the AAU for over 50 years. Now he is being inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
By: Troy MacNeill
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Penn. (October 31, 2022) – Larry Wilson has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Montgomery County Chapter. He has been dedicated to the Amateur Athletic Union for more than 50 years.
Larry Wilson was inducted into the sports hall of fame on October 14, 2022 and celebrated for his years as a head coach. Wilson was in the Army, and also running competitively, qualifying for the 1960 Olympic Trials in the 100 meter dash and making it all the way to the semi-final round. However, he was always encouraged to coach. While Wilson wanted to continue to run, eventually, he would find his passion for coaching.
Larry Wilson read an article about Leon Hill who started the Ambler Track Club in 1966 to provide his two children with the opportunity to run. Then, in 1967, Leon invited Wilson to become the Head Coach of the Ambler Olympic Club, and the rest was history. Wilson coached with the AOC for many years as well as coaching for the Gwynedd-Mercy school track team.
When it comes to AAU, Wilson has been a member for over 50 years. He has been involved with the Amateur Athletic Union in various ways. In 1968 Larry competed in his first AAU Junior Olympic Games. Then, in 1970, he became AAU’s Chairmen of Track and Field and Cross Country in the Middle Atlantic District, which he carried on for 40 years. He became the National AAU Cross County Chair shortly after and held the position for more than 25 years. During this time, Larry was also Region 2 Director (30 years), and Assistant Coach for several Junior Pan American women teams in the various countries (Sudbury, Canada, Santa Fe, Argentina and Havana, Cuba).
Larry Wilson also takes pride in the dozens of amateurs he helped coach at the Ambler Track Club and his other AAU teams. He played a pivotal role in the development of the late Kim Gallagher, the Ft. Washington runner who won medals in the 800 meters at the 1984 (silver) and 1988 (bronze) Olympics. For his longtime service to the sport and the AAU, Larry is now a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Penn. (October 31, 2022) – Larry Wilson has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Montgomery County Chapter. He has been dedicated to the Amateur Athletic Union for more than 50 years.
Larry Wilson was inducted into the sports hall of fame on October 14, 2022 and celebrated for his years as a head coach. Wilson was in the Army, and also running competitively, qualifying for the 1960 Olympic Trials in the 100 meter dash and making it all the way to the semi-final round. However, he was always encouraged to coach. While Wilson wanted to continue to run, eventually, he would find his passion for coaching.
Larry Wilson read an article about Leon Hill who started the Ambler Track Club in 1966 to provide his two children with the opportunity to run. Then, in 1967, Leon invited Wilson to become the Head Coach of the Ambler Olympic Club, and the rest was history. Wilson coached with the AOC for many years as well as coaching for the Gwynedd-Mercy school track team.
When it comes to AAU, Wilson has been a member for over 50 years. He has been involved with the Amateur Athletic Union in various ways. In 1968 Larry competed in his first AAU Junior Olympic Games. Then, in 1970, he became AAU’s Chairmen of Track and Field and Cross Country in the Middle Atlantic District, which he carried on for 40 years. He became the National AAU Cross County Chair shortly after and held the position for more than 25 years. During this time, Larry was also Region 2 Director (30 years), and Assistant Coach for several Junior Pan American women teams in the various countries (Sudbury, Canada, Santa Fe, Argentina and Havana, Cuba).
Larry Wilson also takes pride in the dozens of amateurs he helped coach at the Ambler Track Club and his other AAU teams. He played a pivotal role in the development of the late Kim Gallagher, the Ft. Washington runner who won medals in the 800 meters at the 1984 (silver) and 1988 (bronze) Olympics. For his longtime service to the sport and the AAU, Larry is now a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Email
Print
