NEW CONCORD – Larry Shank is 67 years young and still a shaker and mover in the world of college athletics as well as in the game of life.

The St. Clairsville High graduate has authored a coaching and administrative career spanning four decades, punctuated by glowing success and countless highlights. He recently added another noteworthy one.

The NCAA has named the Muskingum University athletic director to its Division III Infractions Appeals Committee. The NCAA panel is comprised of just five individuals. That quintet hears and acts upon appeals of the findings of major violations by the Committee on Infractions, involving member institutions.

“It’s a true honor to be appointed by the NCAA to serve on the Division III Infractions Appeals Committee,” said Shank. “I look forward to representing Muskingum and the Ohio Athletic Conference on a national stage,” Shank said. “It means a lot to be noticed for my work. It shows the NCAA has trust in me. The NCAA wants people who know the rules, do things the right way and have no baggage.

“It shows that I have earned respect for how I have done my job and how I have handled myself,” he added.

Shank is the immediate past president of the Ohio Athletic Conference. He has been Muskingum’s director of athletics since 2001.

The New Concord-based institution has enjoyed extensive growth under Shank’s leadership. He has also been a major player in raising funds in the university’s quest to upgrade athletic facilities. Under Shank’s watch, Muskingum has experienced a multi-million dollar upgrade in the realm of athletics.

He was integral in helping to raise funding to have ProGrass Turf installed on Muskingum’s Sherman Field as well as for the multi-million dollar renovations to the recreation center and John Glenn gymnasium.

The facelift includes the Cooper Wing, a football locker complex, and the Kalnow Center, a state-of-the-art athletic training center, the Sherman Gateway and custom-made basketball, soccer, lacrosse and volleyball locker room facilities.

“I love Muskingum and the Division III atmosphere. The character of the student-athletes is special. They play for the love of the game,” Shank offered. “My roots are at the D-III level and the OAC is one of the premier conferences in the nation. That is why I have stayed at Muskingum.

“It is a great feeling be able to educate and teach our athletes and students at this level,” he added. “It has enabled me to enjoy my career as much as I have – and I am still enjoying it.”

Shank is a graduate of Shepherd College (W. Va.). His coaching and athletic resume is nothing short of remarkable, covering 42 years.

His initial coaching charge came when he student-taught at a high school in Maryland. After receiving his collegiate degree in 1970, he landed at Woodsfield High where he assisted Jay Circosta with the baseball program.

It was a relationship that took deep and lasting roots. Circosta, who has become a football coaching legend, served as Shank’s best man and is also godfather to one of Shank’s children.

Shank’s next stop was across Monroe County at Beallsville High. He was the Blue Devils’ head baseball coach and assisted Flip DeLongo for two years in football. Shank became the head grid coach in year three, and it proved a springboard to his long and impressive collegiate career.

Shank secured a graduate assistant’s job at Western Michigan. He also earned his master’s degree during his one-year stop in Kalamazoo.

His time in Michigan paid dividends. Shank accepted a football assistant’s post at Capital in suburban Columbus. He served on Coach Gene Slaughter’s staff for eight years.

His Capital Crusaders’ duty served him well.

Shank left Bexley to become head football coach at West Liberty. He served as Hilltoppers’ head football coach from 1982-1989.

The 1966 St. Clairsville High grad left the hilltop for Heidelberg University, where he enjoyed great success while wearing many hats. He served as associate athletic director, department chair, head football and wrestling coach at the northwestern Ohio school.

He guided Heidelberg’s matmen to 104 wins, most in school history, and was named OAC Wrestling Coach of the Year on three occasions. Shank currently ranks 45th all-time in Division III wrestling with a 194 career wins.

Shank opted to move back closer to his roots in 2001, becoming Muskingum’s athletic director in 2001. It is a decision that led to impressive development in the landscape of Muskingum athletics while providing Shank with personal satisfaction.

“I have enjoyed my time immensely at Muskingum. It is a great environment. It has been and still is a lot of fun,” Shank noted. “This job keeps me young. It doesn’t feel like I have been in college athletics for 42 years. I have a great sense of pride with my NCAA appointment and with my career.”

Shank is married to the former Barb Meyer. They have two grown children, Gretchen and Chris.