PoleVaultPower.com

Larry Berryhill
Posted in Personal by jhansen on the August 29th, 2009
I lost a great friend this week. Larry was my pole vault coach at BYU, but he was also much more. He was friend that I knew would be there for me under *any* circumstances… and was. I traveled all over with him, ate at the best steak house in every town, and listened to countless stories on the way. I will miss him deeply.

I am going to use this post to provide details as they become available about the circumstances of Larry’s death and the subsequent funeral.

I just spoke with Larry’s mother and found out the following:

They were contacted by the Embassy in Argentina on Monday (Aug 24th) and told that Larry had passed away. Apparently of a heart attack. He had gone out to dinner with some friends on Saturday (from what I can gather that was day) and they called him the next day and got no answer… he also missed an appointment that day, so a friend went to check on him. He was found in his bed.

Larry’s brother, Michael is down in Argentina working on getting Larry back home. As of right now it appears that they will be coming back on the same plane next Wednesday. There are things outside of their control here, so they are waiting until they are actually back before they make any additional plans. If things go according to plan, Larry’s funeral will most likely be the first of the following week - about Sept 7th. They are going to contact me as soon as the plans are finalized and I will post that information here.

To those who knew Larry:
We need to be there in full force. I ask that you do all you can to adjust your schedules to be there for Larry, as he was for us on so many occasions. I also ask that you take the time to write down some thoughts about Larry that can can be compiled and given to his family. This compilation should be ready for the reception after his funeral. Please take some time and get this together and email it (or add as comment to this post) to me (jhansen@hivalley.com) as soon as you can, and I will do the rest.

Please share this link with anyone you think would like to be involved.

Tyson said,

ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2009 AT 2:51 PM
I have nothing but wonderful memories of the pole vaulting trips and practices with Larry. He usually had a memory to share (mostly about food) and a thought to motivate (mostly about pole vaulting), but he was always a true friend. Best wishes to his family, and thanks for sharing Larry’s unique life with us.

Lewis said,

ON SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2009 AT 3:36 PM
Coach Berryhill was a great coach to many in addition to his pole vaulters. He often spoke with me about running middle and long distance (and he had great, valid points), but more importantly he would speak with me about life in general. He was a great example of enjoying whatever he was doing, whether it was a challenge or a leisurely activity like fishing. My favorite memories of him were watching him interact and joke around with Coach James (who was always trying to set him up with someone)!

Orrin Olsen wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:50 PM:
" I have lots of fond memories of my friendship with Larry. It was always pleasant to bump into him at the Smith Field House when he was working with the vaulters. He always had a big smile and a warm greeting. My father in law, Clarence Robison, enjoyed many outstanding fishing adventures at Larry's lodge in Alaska. I listened to his fishing reports each year with marvel and envy. In 2006, my son Grant, and I joined Clarence and his son, Scott, for a week of fishing at Larry's lodge in Gustavus, AK. Larry was very pleased to help us work out the details for that trip. Catching a 390 pound halibut and lots of beautiful silver salmon made that a memory that we will always treasure. That was Clarence's last fishing trip, as he passed away in his sleep just three weeks after we returned from Alaska. We shared with Larry our great appreciation for helping us work out the arrangements for that special time in Alaska. Larry will sure be missed. "

Tyler Brown wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:30 PM:
" When I met Larry I was a sophomore in High School. He would take more time outside of the track team practice to help me out. And me like many others wouldn't have been on the track team if it wasn't for Larry. I didn't make it even into BYU to start with. But after talking with Larry he told me not to worry about it. And soon after that I was admitted into BYU and as a walk-on to the track team. Unfortunately I only had him as a "coach" for a few weeks, but I'm very grateful for his willingness to help me out. In the small period of time I interacted with him, I could see that he is everything that everyone else thinks about him, a man with genuine love for all his fellow human-beings... "

Steve Davis wrote on Sep 9, 2009 4:16 PM:
" I met Larry for the first time in Mendoza Argentina in March of this year. I did not know him long, but the time I did know him I greatly respected and was looking forward to developing a lasting friendship with. Larry you are truly missed by all that knew you. "

Jeff Welker wrote on Sep 9, 2009 7:02 AM:
" Coach Berryhill and McNaughton had a great impact on my life during the early 70's at Westwood High School. As the years have rolled on, Coach Berryhill has always been available as a friend to his former student athletes. His annual visits to Tempe with the BYU track team were always a highlight of my year. I will miss his laugh and zest for life. "

Whitney Neves wrote on Sep 8, 2009 12:31 PM:
" I just recently finished pole vaulting at BYU and the only reason I got on the team in the first place was because of Larry. I initially came vaulting very low with my confidence slightly lower. With Larry's coaching and help, I literally improved feet at a time. He was inspirational when the time called for it. He was hilarious almost all the time. His knowledge of the pole vault, I feel, was invaluable. He had a way of coaching that really worked and was fun at the same time. Larry was a great coach, friend, cook, and man and I miss him. "

Eric Crow wrote on Sep 8, 2009 9:54 AM:
" Larry was a great mentor and friend. He will truly be missed by all that knew him. "

Jerry Jobski wrote on Sep 8, 2009 9:19 AM:
" I met Larry in the fall of 1965 when I started school at Arizona State. Larry was always outgoing and willing to share his time and his many talents. While we were roommates, I was fortunate(?) to sample many of his wild game recipes from his hunting and fishing adventures. When I graduated from ASU Larry was instrumental in getting me my first teaching/coaching job with the Mesa Public Schools. I too remember the '65 Mustang GT 500, I visited with Larry and his family at his home in Ceres and we drove from Tempe to Ceres and probably still hold the record for that drive. "

Michael Lee wrote on Sep 7, 2009 10:19 AM:
" Larry was my pole vault coach at BYU for the 1989 season. He was still telling that story about the GT500 then. He was a great coach and a better man. We loved him like he was family. He will be missed! "

Ken Robinson wrote on Sep 7, 2009 7:57 AM:
" I met Larry in 1966 at ASU where we were teemmates in track. We became roomates for about a year and frequently trained together at South Mountain. I visited his home in Ceres where we worked in the grape vineyards and dehydrator his parents and uncle owned. We fished and hunted dove and pheasants together. Once we drove his GT 500 Ford Mustang to the Grand canyon, topping out at 155 mph, one of life's lessons in youthful foolishness.
Larry was an exceptional human being who always shared his life with others while striving for excellence and growth. His influence on all that knew him is profound. Miss you friend. "

Alan Schultz wrote on Sep 4, 2009 4:26 PM:
" As an 880 novice at BYU, I remember Larry literally carried me off the track during the NCAA trials held at BYU in 1975. He had a big heart and a wide smile for everyone he met. I'm sure he will be missed by those who were closest to him as well as those of us who only knew him for a short time many years ago. "

Dorne Ellsworth wrote on Sep 4, 2009 11:44 AM:
" I, too, will miss Coach Berryhill. It was wonderful of him to visit with members of the WHS 73 championship team on so many return trips to Tempe/Mesa. He alway had great stories to tell and encouragement to offer. "

Jim Oman wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:04 PM:
" Larry was a great coach and a close friend. I will miss his stories and great sense of humor. I feel fortunate to have had him as a mentor and friend. I'm thankful for all the time we spent together. I will miss our hunting and fishing trips, but mostly I will miss his passion and enthusiasm for life. "

David Chesser wrote on Sep 3, 2009 8:17 PM:
" Larry was one of the few people in my life who believed in me as an athlete and cared for me as a friend. Seeing him show kindess and acting generously towards others was a common sight for those who knew him.

In 2000 he wrote me a 5-day training regimen (still in my possession) that I could use while serving my mission in Mexico. While there, he personally came down and delivered running shoes to me and encouraged me to hold fast to the Lord's work. As if that weren't enough, he also donated hundreds of stamps to the missionaries where I served so that they could write more letters home.

When I returned to BYU, Larry would always pull me aside and not only provide feedback to improve my running but also helped me to become a better the man I am today.

I will never forget him and will always cherish the experiences we had together on and off the track. We will miss you Larry!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =564049462 "

Doug Worthington wrote on Sep 3, 2009 7:55 PM:
" There was no teacher or mentor quite like Larry. Simply put, he was the best. We will miss you man. "

Travis Turner wrote on Sep 3, 2009 6:59 PM:
" Coach Berryhill was a profound effect on me as a young high school student. He help me realize my talents and urged me to develop them and did all that he could to be the best I could be. I will greatly miss him and his friendship. "

Ammon Larsen wrote on Sep 3, 2009 6:27 PM:
" I'll never forget his energy. Even though distance runners don't usually "hang" too closely with the polevaulters, he always reached out to any athlete (or aspiring athlete in my case). I'll always remember after a XC race in Montana that could have gone better he spent a good deal of time with me encouaging me to move forward and not dwell on the bumps in the road...

To all who knew him, BYU would be diminished if not for his legacy that lives on in the lives of all he touched. "

Bryce Bergen wrote on Sep 3, 2009 5:32 PM:
" Coach Berryhill was an adventurer and always had a story to share from his endless library of tales from amazing athletes he coached to encounters with bears and wolves at his lodge. I enjoyed many a good meal across the table from him on track trips across the country. I had hopes to one day visit his alaskan lodge and share in some of the adventures had there and am deeply saddened by the loss of such a great coach. My condolences to his family and loved ones, he will be sorely missed. "

Brannen Child wrote on Sep 3, 2009 5:26 PM:
" I too was a pole vaulter at BYU in the mid nineties and I really enjoyed him as a coach. He was always fun to be around and I remember one particular day he pulled me aside and looked me in the eye and said he believed in me. This made a big difference in my confidence and motivation to work hard to succeed. Best wishes to his family as they mourn his loss. "

Clayton Brown wrote on Sep 3, 2009 4:01 PM:
" I was an average pole vaulter at BYU for 3 years (98-00). Larry helped me get into BYU and life for me could of gone a lot different direction had it not been for his care and interest in me as a person. Just thinking about Larry and some of the funny times, things about him, and his personality brings a smile to my face. I will miss him dearly. "

Ryan Bullock wrote on Sep 3, 2009 3:35 PM:
" Coach Berryhill was a great man. He was my sports medicine teacher at Bingham High School and was influential in my decision to attend BYU to run cross country and track. I will always remember his stories and positive attitude. He will be missed. "

steve leavitt wrote on Sep 3, 2009 12:06 PM:
" we all lost a great friend when he passed. he and coach mcnaughton led us to a high school state championship in 1973. i will miss him "

David Brannan wrote on Sep 3, 2009 11:29 AM:
" Larry coached me (x-polevaulter) and several others at BYU for a number of years. He was always very giving of his time, personable, and full of life. He was a motivator, a story teller, a mentor, and an avid outdoorsman. Just thinking about Larry brings a smile to my face - he was unique. I will miss him. "

Austin McNaughton wrote on Sep 3, 2009 9:07 AM:
" I have known Larry since 1967. We were both employed by the Mesa public school district in Arizona. Larry and I coached track together at Westwood High school in Mesa and enjoyed much success, winning state track championships in 1969 and 1973. We have never lost contact over the years. I felt like Larry was one of my brothers and I will truly miss him. "