One of the greatest all-around athletes to ever play for Stivers was Larry Knorr. He was a star in football, basketball, and track. Larry was not only big at 6’2” and 192 lbs., he was extremely fast.
Larry was the leading scorer on the Stivers basketball team in 1935. Teamed with Bert Gaines and Bobby Winters, two other Stivers AHOF inductees, the Tigers beat the 1934 state champ Roosevelt Teddies in the district semi-finals. Then they beat Cincinnati Woodward 39 to 20 for the Southwestern Ohio District champi-
onship. Unfortunately, they had a pour shooting night and lost to Coshocton 23 to 17 in the first round of the state finals.
For the Stivers track and field team, Larry set city records in the 120 yd. high hurdles and the 440 yd. low hurdles. He also threw the shotput and ran with the 440 yd. relay team.
He was one of the last multisport athletes at UD, earning 9 varsity letters in football, basketball, and track. For the Flyers track team, Larry set records in the 120 yd. high hurdles and the 220 low hurdles. He was inducted into the University of Dayton Football Hall of Fame.
Larry signed a pro contract to play for the NFL Detroit Lions in 1942, but unfortunately WW11 cut his pro career short. He served honorably for the U. S. Navy as a P. T. Boat Captain and was awarded several medals including the Navy Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Croix de Guerre, which is the highest French honor by President Charles DeGaulle.
Knorr played in 8 games in 1942 for the Detroit Lions and 2 games in 1945 after the war ended. His career stats are 10 receptions for 18 total yards.
Larry held executive positions with NCR and the Meade Corp. until his retirement and move to Jupiter, Florida. He and his wife of 55 years, Mary Makley Knorr, had 3 daughters, Mary Kay Pompilio, Barbara Ashman, and Janie Sims. Larry Knorr passed away Nov. 26, 1996, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Dayton.