2011 Larry D. Brown

2011  LARRY D. BROWN

Physical therapist and trainer for the Bingham High sports teams (1979-2001)

He pioneered the teaching of sports medicine classes in Utah high schools

As Bingham’s trainer he gave of his own time and resources to help the Miner sports programs

Head of the Physical Therapy Department at Primary Children’s Hospital Spina Bifita Clinic for 25 years

Founded Registered Physical Therapists (RPT) in 1979 and started treating athletes throughout the Salt Lake Valley

His efforts to improve sports’ safety resulted in a great decrease in player injuries

He has been described as a peacemaker, great teacher and a kind-hearted individual who was willing to help anywhere and everywhere he was needed.

He was an influential person in the lives of many Miners giving them advice on not only how to be successful in sports, but how to be a success in life

 

Each year at the annual Candlelight Christmas Program a person is honored who has contributed outstanding service to Bingham High School.  At this year’s program, held on December 20, 2011, Larry Brown, Bingham High School’s athletic trainer from 1979 to 2001, was honored.

Larry Brown has always been involved in sports in one way or another.  He played both baseball and basketball in high school and received a scholarship to play basketball at Utah State University.   He played there until March 1956, when he was called to serve a mission for the LDS Church in the Gulf States Mission.  He continued his schooling at the University of Utah and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1961.  He then did post graduate work in physical therapy at Stanford University.  Upon completion of his course work at Stanford, he began practicing at Primary Children’s Hospital where he became head of the department after only one year.  He would work there for the next 17 years, leaving in 1978 to start a full time private practice.  Nevertheless, he continued to serve as the physical therapy consultant to the Primary Children’s Spina Bifita clinic for the next 25 years.

In his private practice he began treating many student athletes throughout the valley and soon became involved with several high schools.  He first came to Bingham in 1979 and would serve as the Miner trainer for the next 22 years until he retired in 2001.

As the trainer he gave of his own time and resources to help Bingham’s sports program.  He made his offices available to all athletes, with or without insurance—even on Saturdays.  He was an influential person in the lives of many Miners giving them advice on not only how to be successful in sports, but how to be a success in life.  He was willing to help anywhere and everywhere he was needed.  He soon became a Miner himself and did whatever he could to improve the sports program.  Concerned with the movement of injured players, he procured a golf cart with a specially designed side bed to transport those left immobile on the field.  Also during this time he became very concerned with the number of injuries sustained by football players at the beginning of the practice sessions each summer. He and his partner conducted a study and took its findings to the Utah State Board of Education.  As a result of his efforts changes were made throughout the state as to when players should begin wearing helmets.  His efforts have resulted in a great decrease in player injuries. He has been described by those he worked with as a peacemaker, great teacher and a good, kind-hearted individual.

Since his retirement in 2001, he has served two missions, the last being in Hong Kong as a senior missionary and as a coordinator at the Jordan River Temple.  Despite being retired, he has still followed Bingham sports, even though his children and grandchildren have been involved in athletics at other schools throughout the state.  He loves taking care of his quarter acre garden, going hunting, playing with his dogs and spending time with his family.   He and his wife Mildred have 5 children, 21 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.  It was with great pleasure that we awarded the Candlelight Service Award to Larry Brown, Bingham High School was a better place because he was here.