It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of our former SHSAA Executive Directors, Larry Lafrentz (December 30, 1953 - November 12, 2025). 

Born in Estevan, Larry attended Immaculate Heart High School before graduating from Estevan Collegiate.  He earned his education degree from the University of Regina and began a career that would impact the lives of countless students, athletes, and colleagues over more than three decades.

Larry taught for fourteen years in Gull Lake where he also served as Athletic Director (1976-1990).  His involvement with athletics extended to most high school sports.  His teams displayed sportsmanship combined with excellence on the fields of play.  He coached the Gull Lake Lions football team and the Gull Lake Lionettes/Lions basketball teams and had very impressive records, earning several provincial medals.  Larry’s talents also extended to officiating where he was a respected official in football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and fastball; he shared this expertise when not coaching.  Larry was not only viewed as an excellent coach by his students but as a teacher who was interested and cared about them.  His office door was always open, and students were always there sharing their experiences with him.

Larry’s District involvement while teaching and coaching included two years as Officials’ Commissioner and four years as President of South West Athletic Conference (SWAC).  During his time in Gull Lake, he also served two terms as Section I Representative on the SHSAA Executive Council (1978-80 and 1982-84) prior to becoming President of the Association (1988-90).

Larry accepted the position of Assistant Executive Director of the SHSAA in 1990.  He assumed the role of Executive Director in 2003, serving the Association until his retirement in 2008.  In these positions, Larry became a guiding voice for high school athletics across the province, helping to shape the experience of thousands of young athletes and the teacher-coaches who supported them.  He believed deeply in the power of athletics to build character, community, and lifelong friendships.

In his retirement, he cherished time with his family and friends, often found at the golf course, volunteering in the community, or cheering on the sidelines of his grandchildren’s activities.

Bryan Matheson and Kevin Vollet, Former Executive Directors of SHSAA, had the following to say, “It was a pleasure working with Larry who shared the passion for school sport with so many of his colleagues.  Larry always worked to make things better for the student-athletes in our province.”     

Larry is survived by his wife, Sherri, daughter Lacy (Matt), son Byron (Stephanie), grandchildren Emery, Nora, Lyla, and Luka, and his SHSAA family.
 

Larry Lafrentz Obituary