Erik Larson has been the Director of Athletics at Lackawanna College since February 2021, after being elevated from the Assistant Athletic Director position he had held since 2019.
In his time at Lackawanna College, Erik has spearheaded initiatives to grow the Lackawanna College athletics brand, including “Falcons’ Corner,” a weekly web show and podcast on the Lackawanna College Athletics YouTube channel that recaps the week in Lackawanna College Athletics. Larson also helped improve the College’s ability to livestream and broadcast its home athletics events, continuously adding cameras, graphics, and more enhancements to provide a professional broadcast.
Larson also revived the Lackawanna Student Athlete Advisory Committee (LSAAC), a committee comprised of student-athlete leaders from each sport that meets monthly with College administration officials and employees to learn more about Lackawanna and provide feedback on their student-athlete experience.
Since Larson arrived, the Falcons have had great success on a national scale, which includes a national championship appearance in 2019 for football, a national tournament appearance for women’s basketball in both 2019 and 2021, four separate trips to the Division II World Series for baseball, the first region championship in nine years for men’s basketball, and the first region championship for women’s volleyball in 17 years.
In addition to competitive success, Larson has played a central role in positioning Lackawanna College for its next phase of growth, leading the strategic initiative to transition the athletics department from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to NCAA Division II membership and future participation in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). This effort has involved coordinating institutional planning, enhancing compliance and operational infrastructure, guiding staff through evolving NCAA standards, and aligning the department’s vision with the NCAA Division II philosophy of “Life in the Balance.” Under his leadership, the transition reflects a long-term commitment to expanding opportunities for student-athletes, elevating academic and competitive standards, and establishing Lackawanna College as a four-year athletics destination.
To support this transition, Larson has established a clear leadership vision centered on building a sustainable NCAA Division II model that prioritizes academic excellence, competitive success, and the overall student-athlete experience. His approach emphasizes strengthening internal operations, enhancing compliance education, investing in staff development, and creating a culture of accountability and alignment across all programs. Larson is committed to positioning Lackawanna as a leader in this unique transition space, ensuring that each step reflects NCAA best practices while maintaining the core values that have driven the Falcons’ success. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and a departmental forward-thinking mindset, he continues to guide the department toward long-term stability and national relevance within the Division II landscape.
Before coming to Lackawanna, Larson worked as the Athletic Director and Athletic Trainer at Carbondale Area High School. Larson helped bring technological advancements to help improve fan experience while at Carbondale, while also helping lead fundraising efforts to improve facilities. Larson also served on the executive committee within the Lackawanna Interscholastic Athletic Association (LIAA), the local league body for high school teams competing in Lackawanna county and its neighboring counties.
Larson holds a Master’s degree in Education from St. Joseph’s College, while also holding a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletic Training from Houghton College. He’s married to his wife, Denise, and is a proud father of four children.
