Davis Larson — Leader
Charger Men's Basketball | Class of 2021 | Sheboygan, WI
By: Calli Townsend | Photo: Davis Larson
This year, junior Davis Larson was named co-captain of the Hillsdale College Men's Basketball team, which is something he doesn't take lightly.
"I think when I was named captain, it didn't seem like that much," Davis said. "But then I realized I've grown as a leader and that guys respect you and I want that responsibility. We have a really good group and I want to keep working hard and working towards our goals and success."
To achieve those goals and fulfull his responsiblities, Davis makes it a priority to check in on all of his teammates.
"As a captain you're not going to be best friends with everyone on the team, but you have to connect with everyone on some level or another," he said. "Like the guys from Wisconsin, we all are Packers fans and we connect over that. Everyday you want to know how they're doing and ask what's going on in their lives outside of hoops."
He's a true leader and genuinely cares about his teammates. Even during this interview, he paused to ask a younger teammate walking by how he was doing and told him to let him know how a meeting goes. He doesn't just talk about it, he lives it out each day.
He credits his past and current coaches for demonstrating strong leadership and helping him become who he is today.
"I think there are a lot of really good role models in sports that help you become better men," he said. "Coach Tharp is a really good mentor and a great coach. And my high school coach, Tom Desotell is the all-time winningest coach in Division I in Wisconsin. He's really good at teaching the game and developing players."
Even beyond his four years as a high-school varsity player, Coach Desotell still takes the time to check in and support Davis.
"I got to see him a little more than sometimes I wanted to, but he was so fun outside of basketball," Davis said. "Every time I go home I have to go and see him and he still comes to at least one or two of my games a year."
Davis said Desotell's ability to gain his players' respect made him such a great coach.
"I think what he was able to do and why he was able to be successful was be respected by his players. They wanted to work hard for him," he said. "He was loved by his players and he wanted to be in our lives outside of basketball. He mixed both of those and I think that's really rare. Tharp does a good job of that too. That's what kind of coach I'd want to be and how I'd want to do that."
Coaching may be one of Davis's future career goals. As a finance major who is minoring in physical education, he says he can't imagine doing anything outside of sports.
"I really can't see myself not being involved in sports in one way or another, whether I want to coach or go into a sports administrative role. I thought about getting my master's and being a grad assistant coach to keep me around basketball for a few more years. I might want to be an athletic director. Or maybe I'd like to own a gym. That'd be cool," he said. "But that's the plan as of now. It could change next week."
Sports have been such an integral part of Davis's life. He says they teach discipline and a good work ethic from a young age, and give everyone something to be a part of. As a Wisconsin sports fan, he's always keeping up with what is going on in the world of professional athletics.
"If I'm not playing hoops, I'm probably watching sports. I'm an avid Packer fan, Brewers fan, just Wisconsin sports fan really," he said. "I take pride in where I come from."
Whether he's watching a Packers game or checking in on his teammates, Davis is always involved in sports in one way or another, on and off the court. He takes his roles as a leader and an athlete seriously, and is passionate about doing both to the best of his ability.
"On court leadership, when things are going well, it's really easy to be a leader. But when things go wrong, it can be really hard to step up. But I've learn from Coach Desotell, Coach Tharp, and taking Dr. Jennings' leadership class, it's not a set equation. It's different for everybody. Even if you're not in a leadership role, you still need to be a leader and guys still rely on you. Your voice needs to be heard."