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Building a Tradition
Feb. 10-11, 2007
Larry Station is the most prolific tackler in the history of Iowa football. The linebacker out of Omaha, Neb., amassed 492 takedowns in his career, leading the Hawkeyes in each of his four seasons despite not starting as a freshman. Station was also a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, two-time consensus first-team All-American and a finalist for the Butkus and Lombardi Awards, which honor the nation's finest linebacker and lineman, respectively. The awards continued off the playing field, as well. Station was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was named Iowa's fourth Academic All-American when he earned the distinction in 1984 and again in 1985. But of all the accolades he has collected throughout his storied career, Station finds a greater reward in being an athlete who is remembered as someone who excelled in all areas of life. "I would say that (being recognized as part of Black History Month) means as much as any award, or more, because it's about history," Station said. "So many athletes have seen excellence in certain areas, so I must have made an impact that goes beyond the football field and beyond the classroom." Station's impact on the University of Iowa was felt far and wide as he was an instrumental part of a then-No. 1 Hawkeye team that went on to win the 1985 Big Ten Championship, play in its second Rose Bowl in five years and finish with a No. 10 ranking in the polls. One of the most crucial games of that season came on Oct. 19, when top-ranked Iowa hosted No. 2 Michigan and trailed the Wolverines, 10-9, late in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines needed to convert on a third-and-two situation to secure victory before Station thwarted their attempt by hitting running back Jamie Morris for a two-yard loss, sending Kinnick Stadium into a frenzy.
"It was probably the best play I made in my career at Iowa because I was able to move to the other side of the ball and on Michigan's side of the line of scrimmage before the back made it to the hole," Station said. "After that tackle the crowd noise was so loud it sent chills through my body." Iowa went on to win the game, 12-10, on a game-winning field goal by Rob Houghtlin. The scene of the crowd on its feet as he neared the end of his college career is fitting for Station who chose Iowa largely because of its supportive fans. "The number one reason for me going to Iowa was the fact that the fans were so loyal," Station said. "Iowa had not had a winning season in 20 years until the year before I came, but I heard at least that the fans would still come out and fill up the stadium and support the team. "I was able to go to Iowa's last home game in 1981 when they played Michigan State, and the way it turned out, because Ohio State beat Michigan and Iowa won their game, they were going to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 20 years. And being in the crowd for that game and feeling the electricity in the stands - I was ready to sign up after that game." Station also chose Iowa because it catered to his academic needs and his desire to succeed in the classroom as well as on the field. "I've always expected a lot of myself," Station said. "Our whole family, particularly my older sisters, set a very good example for me as far as academic success in the classroom. It was something my family always ingrained in me, to always do the best you can." Station found success in places other than on the gridiron and in the classroom. In high school, he was one of the top athletes in the state in tennis and in track and field. At age 14, Station was ranked No. 3 in singles and No. 1 in doubles in the state of Nebraska and went on to win the state singles championship as a high school student. He was even offered the chance to play tennis at Iowa. Station was also a state champion in the shot put in his junior and senior years and in the discus his senior year as he led his Omaha Central team to a state championship as a senior. Station was such a good all-around athlete that he was selected by Sports Illustrated as one of the 40 greatest sports figures in history from the state of Nebraska. Despite his success at other sports, it was football that always stuck with Station. "The physical nature of football was always appealing to me," Station said. "I played linebacker and I always liked tackling and the contact, so I think it was just the nature of the sport. I was successful in tennis, but it didn't have all the aspects of football - the crowd, the contact, the camaraderie with the teammates."
In football, Station was also able to be a crucial factor in building the Iowa program, helping to bring it into the national spotlight for years to come. "I was part of building a good, solid football program," Station said. "I think that was one of the best things about my experiences at Iowa because it's easy for someone to fit into something that is already successful, but to help create something to have a tradition of excellence is very gratifying." As a member of the Hawkeye football team, Station also had the opportunity to play on a conference championship team in 1985 - an experience which he says is the proudest moment in his playing career. "The proudest moment for me was winning the Big Ten Championship my last year," Station said. "Beating Michigan in the middle of the season when they were No. 2 and we were No. 1 was great, but we still had to win the rest of the games and come out on top at the end of the season. "After we defeated Minnesota at the end, we were champions, and just to be able to claim that title outright and get that championship ring - it was something I'd seen with the guys who'd won it the year before I got there, but I had yet to earn one. Winning that championship was definitely my proudest moment." After the championship came the Rose Bowl - a loss to UCLA during which Station sustained a back injury that shortened his football career. Station was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL Draft, but played just seven games due to the lingering ailment. Once his playing days were over, Station went back to school and got his master's in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis and now owns a couple of business and real estate properties, including thebodystation.com, a website dedicated to overall health and wellness.
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