A forceful presence both on the football field and on the track, Larry Copeland '65 enters the Bluffton Hall of Fame as a dominant member of several very talented Beaver football teams, he is also known for his efforts on Bluffton's record setting mile relay team of 1962.
A four-year starter at offensive and defensive end for Coach Ken Mast, Copeland was a member of two Mid-Ohio League championship teams and two MOL runner-up teams. He was named first team All-MOL as a senior as he capped of a stellar playing career that has him remembered for great intensity and having the ability to make the big play.
Copeland's efforts on the Bluffton mile relay team were also legendary, as he helped that quartet to a 3:27.7 running in 1962 that set a new Bluffton and MOL record that would stand until 1969. Other members of that relay team included Terry Marshall '64, Dale Schiffke '64 and fellow 2000 Bluffton Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Bishop '63. Copeland was also one of the top open 440 yard dash performers in the region.
Following his graduation from Bluffton, Copeland held football coaching positions at Norwalk, Vermillion and Colonel Crawford high schools before returning to coach at Bluffton in 1975. In his one season with the Beavers, he served as offensive coordinator and helped guide his alma mater to a runner-up finish in the Hoosier Buckeye Collegiate Conference.
In 1976 Larry founded Copeland Financial and Copeland-Lewis, both located in Findlay.
