FPS staff report
November 18, 2008
A 1964 graduate of Carrollton High School was recently honored at Ohio University where he received a Medal of Merit award.
Larry Starr, son of the late Roy and Virginia Starr, former Carrollton residents, was honored by the Ohio University Alumni Association at the Alumni awards gala held last Sept. 26. Starr was chosen to receive the award based on his achievements in the athletic training field.
Starr is a 1971 graduate of Ohio University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in education and a master of education degree. He began his athletic training career at Ohio University in 1968 and served as an assistant athletic trainer/instructor until 1972.
Starr is currently assistant athletic director/sports medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL., a position he has held since August 2002, after spending nine years as the head athletic trainer for the Florida Marlins baseball club.
He was instrumental in preparing, monitoring, and managing the fitness progress and overall well being of the Marlins players. Starr’s efforts contributed greatly to the immediate success of the expansion franchise, which captured the 1997 World Series championship in just their fifth MLB season.
Previous to joining the Marlins, Starr was the head athletic trainer for the Cincinnati Reds for 21 years from 1972-1992. His knowledge and expertise were paramount in being the “Big Red Machine” win back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.
Under Starr’s athletic training direction, the Reds also won the 1990 World Championship by sweeping the Oakland Athletics in four straight games.
A noted sports medicine and athletic training lecturer, Starr has been presented with numerous awards for his excellence in the athletic training and sports medicine field.
Starr is a National Athletic Trainers’ Association Certified Athletic Trainer, member of the Nation Strength Coaches Association, Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida, Ohio Athletic Trainings Association and is a Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society charter member. He served as secretary and historian for PBATS and has also been inducted into the Ohio and Florida Athletic Trainers Hall of Fames.
He is co-founder of the Miracles for Life Foundation, along with his brother, Tom, a 1963 Carrollton High School graduate, which raises awareness of organ and tissue transplants. He has been involved in state tournaments for the American Legion and is a volunteer in the Cincinnati Flying Pig Kids’ marathon.
Starr was named Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association and has been named an All-Star Major League Baseball Athletic Trainer five times.
An avid runner, Starr has completed 16 marathons. He resides in Coral Springs, FL., with his wife, Linda, a reading specialist, and daughters Laura and Amy. |
