Football players at Eisenhower High School will be getting some new equipment, courtesy of an Ike alumnus who was a die-hard football fan – especially if Eisenhower or the University of Oklahoma was involved.
Larry G. Jantzen died July 27, 2025, following long-time health issues, but for decades he had been a fixture on the sidelines of Eisenhower High football games, supporting high school players. Ford Roofing, his employer for 22 years, knew that about him and established the Larry Jantzen Endowment with the Lawton Public School Foundation.
It was only fitting that the endowment’s first beneficiary would be Eisenhower football. Ike Coach Maurice Mayfield accepted the $5,000 donation during a special ceremony Feb. 18 in the Eisenhower fieldhouse.
Lisa Carson, executive director of the LPS Foundation, said she had known Jantzen for much of her life and knew he had two great loves: OU football and Eisenhower football. She remembers that Jantzen pretty much filled the role of volunteer coach.
“He was at every practice after work,” she said, of Jantzen’s commitment. “He just loved it.”
Almost everyone at the ceremony nodded in agreement when anyone talked about Jantzen’s love of Eisenhower football.
Mayfield was among that number, explaining he had known Jantzen since the now-coach was a high schooler himself.
“I met Larry in 1987-ish,” he said. “He was at every football game.”
David Torbert, Jantzen’s longtime friend, confirmed that football was important. Jantzen wasn’t allowed to play football as a youth, so as soon as he graduated (both men were members of the Eisenhower Class of 1974), he became involved in every way he could. It was legendary Eisenhower Coach Bill Whiteley who first invited Jantzen to the sidelines, and a tradition was born.
“Sweet,” said Mayfield, as he accepted the $5,000 check.
Carson said the Foundation’s board of directors wants the funds spent on equipment, and Mayfield confirmed that was the plan, buying the things his players need, such as helmets.
Carson said the award was the first allocation of funds from Ford Roofing’s $100,000 endowment.
She said the Foundation will put $90,000 into an endowment fund with Lawton Community Foundation, allowing the fund to build up interest that will be used in later years for awards. The board has specific plans for the remaining $10,000 – $5,000 of it was spent Wednesday, with a second award to be made in the next school year. The endowment is expected to cover awards in the years thereafter, Carson said.
Friends expect those awards to reflect Jantzen’s loves, which also included Lawton Public Schools’ Athletic Foundation and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Torbert said the award would have made his friend happy.
“He would have been thrilled it went for something he really liked,” he said.
Jeff Jung, representative for Ford Roofing, said that was the firm’s intent in creating the endowment.
“He was very passionate about football,” Jung said, adding Ford Roofing officials are pleased by the first recipient. “It was one of his favorite pastimes.”