Event counts are incomplete
Total Events Major Wins Non-Major Wins
128 19 32
  • Larry
  • Imperiale
  • Laerbs
  • 77
  • United States
  • Jacksonville Beach, Florida
  • Evergreen, CO, US
  • 07/07
  • Information Technology Leader at Bank of America
  • 1977
  • Player Bio

    Larry “Laerbs” Imperiale began playing Freestyle at Chico State University in 1977 and soon after helped create the ‘Chico Air Heads’ Frisbee club. Larry’s passion and determination served him well. After attending a few tournaments his future greatness started to reveal itself. In 1979 at the Humboldt Harvest tournament he and fellow Airheads Brian White and Jim Terhorst snatched victory from the formidable team of John Kirkland and Jeff Jorgenson. Then in 1980 he was invited to play with Corey Basso and Kevin Givens where they took 3rd in a hotly contested final at the Austin TX NAS meet. Later that year he and Doug Branigan busted seed to win the FPA tour stop in Dearborn, MI. In 1981 he along with Joey Hodoklin and Richie Smits won the 1981 NAS in Philadelphia.

    Shortly after that he moved to San Diego where his game started to flourish. And flourish it did. In one of the most brilliant pairings of all time, Bill Wright and Larry played together for the very first time. This was a Dream Team of Counter spin heavy weights. The chemistry was sublime and it resulted in Major victories at the 1983 US Open and the 84 World Disc tournaments. Next he teamed with Joey and his protégé Peter Rosing to win the 1984 FPA Co-op title as well as the 1985 World Indoor title.

    Shortly after that Larry had to step away due to injury. It took him 2 ½ years to recover. But when he did, he elevated his game once again. The next step to create another Dream Team, this time with Kevin Givens and John Jewell, a team known as ‘Sideout’. Soon after, Jewell stepped away as the young Tom Leitner took his place. Together this team would go on a legendary run winning 7 Major Co-op titles. After Givens stepped away after the 1994 season Larry re-teamed with Bill Wright along with a new teammate, Randy Silvey. This team would win two Major titles in 1996. And Larry was far from done. He also teamed with Paul Kenny and Toddy Brodeur to win two more Major titles.
    But this is just his competitive resume.

    As impressive as this is, it is critical to reference Larry’s influence on the new wave of European Freestylers. Larry was the driving force behind the very first Paganello freestyle tournament in 1998. It was there where the seeds of this new wave of growth were planted. He was a critical element in the expansion, growth and meteoric rise of talent through all of Europe. On top of this, Larry has contributed enormous amounts of hours as an FPA Executive Director, Board/Committee Member, a Data Manager and Web Master.

    As a collective effort, Larry has contributed to the mission of Freestyle Disc in ways that will never be matched. He will be competing in a record 35th FPA World Championship later this summer. He has mentored numerous players and helped them craft their games to the championship level. Larry pushed the envelope of the power counter wind game taking it to new unforeseen heights. His tireless efforts and maintaining records, archives and data is unsurpassed. And his ability as a player make him a jammer nonpareil. For all of these reasons we celebrate the induction of Larry Imperiale into the Freestyle Disc Hall of Fame.

  • Career Highlights

    .
    Playing with Bill Wright for 40 years, Player of the Year 2002, Move of the Year 2001;




    .

  • How I Started

    From FPA HOF: During 1977 at a bucolic campus in Northern California known as Chico State University, a group of students started gathering once a week to throw a disc around. In 1978 they would discover Freestyle play. Shortly after that, instead of playing once a week, they were now playing as many as 6 times a week. After seeing a tournament at Sonoma State, they formed the “Chico Airheads”. This group was feeding off of each other’s creative influence. Eventually one would emerge, rather clumsily at first. Like a big puppy growing into his paws. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm. And he applied himself fearlessly. Slowly the fundamental skills started to fall into place. Then some signature moves. Body roll, Backside Kick Brush, Scarecrow, Flying Gitis. The next step was perfecting those moves. He became graceful, powerful, strong, determined, even obsessed. Then he started to travel. A win here. Another win over there. Multiple wins. Then a Major Title. Then more Major Titles. Now he was a force of nature. Dominating even. Becoming one of the most influential and celebrated Freestylers of all time. Larry Imperiale.

  • Featured Video

Player Details

  • Favorite Moves

    Beach jam with good wind and fun players ready to run

  • Mentors

    Skippy Jammer, John “JJ” Jewell, Joey Hudoklin, Richie Smits, Bill Wright, Rick Castiglia, Corey Basso, Steve Lane and all the Chico Airheads & Sonoma UFOs.

  • Partners

    Bill Wright, Skippy Jammer, Tom Leitner, Paul Kenny, Pat Marron, Rick Castiglia, Joel Rogers, Dave Schiller, Mikey Reid, Paul Kenny, Joey Hudoklin, Richie Smits, John Jewell, Steve Hubbard, Peter Rosing, Corey Basso, Randy Silvey, Ted Oberhaus, Jan Ekman, Clay Collera, Stacy McCarthy, Jim Terhorst, Brian White, Alan Young, Jamie Chantiles, Donny Wallace, Chip Bell, James Wiseman, Daniel O’Neill, Fabio Sanna & 50+ more.

  • Media & Appearances

    ESPN, National Public Radio, MTV Europe, Outdoor Life Network, That’s Incredible, and more.

  • Other Fun

    Mountain and road biking, powder skiing

Tournament History

EventDivisionRoundFinish
2010 The JammersOpen FormatFinals1
2007 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeCo-opFinals1
2006 Cologne Random Co-op and regular Open PairsOpen PairsFinals1
2005 The JammersOpen FormatFinals1
2005 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeCo-opFinals1
2004 29th Annual Arizona States Freestyle and Overall TournamentOpen FormatFinals1
2002 World Masters Overall Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatFinals1
2002 Colorado State ChampionshipsOpen FormatFinals1
2001 Manpico OpenCo-opFinals1
2001 Jammers ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals1
2001 Masters Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatFinals1
2000 Colorado StatesOpen PairsFinals1
2000 Puerto Rico OpenOpen PairsFinals1
2000 PaganelloOpen FormatFinals1
1999 Summerfest – MilwaukeeMixed PairsFinals1
1999 Masters Overall ChampionshipsMasters OpenFinals1
1999 Paganello – Rimini, ItalyOpen FormatFinals1
1998 Masters Overall – Santa MariaMasters OpenFinals1
1998 Disc Or Die – Fort CollinsOpen FormatFinals1
1998 Midwest Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals1
1998 Paganello – RiminiOpen FormatFinals1
1997 California States/Indian SummerOpen FormatFinals1
1997 Santa Cruz Beach ClassicCo-opFinals1
1996 Arizona StatesOpen PairsFinals1
1996 Northern California States/Indian SummerOpen FormatFinals1
1996 Masters Overall Flying Disc ChampionshipsMasters OpenFinals1
1996 Wintertime OpenOpen FormatFinals1
1995 FPA Northwest ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals1
1994 Masters ChampionshipsMasters OpenFinals1
1985 Oak GroveOpen FormatFinals1
1981 Wham-O! I.F.A. North American Series: PhiladelphiaOpen FormatFinals1
Test by AmitOpen PairsFinals1
EventDivisionRoundFinish
2014 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
2013 Beach StylersOpen PairsFinals3
2013 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
2011 Paganello World Freestyle ChallengeOpen PairsFinals5
2010 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals6
2010 Seaside Super HeinOtherFinals17
2010 The JammersMixed PairsFinals2
2009 AZ StatesOpen FormatFinals2
2009 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals7
2009 The JammersOpen FormatFinals2
2008 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
2007 Arizona StatesOpen FormatFinals4
2007 WFDF World Overall ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals3
2007 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals5
2007 The JammersOpen FormatFinals4
2007 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeOpen PairsFinals2
2006 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals6
2006 The JammersOpen PairsFinals2
2005 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals5
2005 Seaside SuperHeinIndividual OpenFinals7
2005 WFDF World Overall ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
2005 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeOpen PairsFinals2
2004 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsMixed PairsFinals3
2004 Disc Or DieOpen PairsFinals2
2004 The JammersOpen PairsFinals3
2003 FPA World Freestyle ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals6
2003 World Disc GamesOpen PairsFinals4
2002 World Beach InvitationalOpen PairsFinals5
2002 Jammers Championships at Jacksonville BeachOpen PairsFinals2
2002 California Freestyle Open – California Dried Plum FestivalOpen PairsFinals6
2002 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
2001 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
2001 Manpico OpenOpen PairsFinals2
2001 WFDF ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals3
2001 Acrobatic PaganelloOpen FormatFinals4
2000 AZ StatesOpen FormatFinals2
2000 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals6
2000 Masters Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatFinals2
2000 Summerfest Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals4
1999 FPA Worlds – Santa CruzOpen PairsFinals5
1999 WFDF ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals4
1999 Indoor Championships – Jackson HoleOpen PairsFinals3
1998 AZ States – ScottsdaleOpen PairsFinals6
1998 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals4
1998 Virginia StatesOpen FormatFinals2
1998 Beach Championships – San DiegoCo-opFinals2
1998 Indoor Championships – Jackson HoleOpen PairsFinals2
1997 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals4
1997 WFDF World ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
1997 World Masters Overall ChampionshipsMasters OpenFinals2
1997 Disc-a-paloozaMixed PairsFinals5
1997 Santa Cruz Beach ClassicOpen PairsFinals3
1997 VA StatesOpen FormatFinals3
1997 Wintertime OpenOpen FormatFinals3
1996 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals5
1996 So. California State Overall ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals3
1996 Virginia StatesOpen FormatFinals2
1995 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals8
1995 Wintertime OpenOpen FormatFinals2
1994 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
1994 US Open Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatFinals4
1994 Northwest ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals3
1994 World Beach InvitationalCo-opFinals6
1993 Amazing Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals6
1993 FPA WorldsOpen PairsFinals7
1993 WFDFCo-opFinals2
1990 FPA World ChampionshipsMixed PairsFinals7
1990 California State Freestyle ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
1988 WFDF World ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals6
1987 World Indoor ChampionshipsCo-opFinals3
1985 US Open Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals3
1985 San Antonio National Freestyle ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
1983 FPA New World Tour : Fort CollinsCo-opFinals4
1983 FPA New World Tour : VictoriaOpen PairsFinals4
1982 WFDF – World FLying Disc ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
1982 FPA New World Tour : MinneapolisCo-opFinals3
1982 FPA New World Tour : World Freestyle ChampionshipsOpen PairsFinals2
1982 FPA New World Tour : Kansas CityOpen PairsFinals4
1981 Rose Bowl World Frisbee ChampionshipsCo-opFinals4
1981 Wham-O! I.F.A. North American Series: AlbuquerqueOpen FormatFinals5
1981 Wham-O! I.F.A. North American Series: AustinOpen FormatFinals5
1980 World Flying Disc Championships (WFDF)Open PairsFinals4
1980 Freestyle Players Association Series : BoulderOpen PairsFinals4
1980 Wham-O! I.F.A. North American Series: Vancouver, BCOpen FormatFinals6
1980 Wham-O! I.F.A. North American SeriesOpen FormatFinals3
Test by AmitOpen PairsFinals4
EventDivisionRoundFinish
2010 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries3
2010 Seaside Super HeinIndividual OpenPreliminaries5
2008 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opPreliminaries3
2007 WFDF World Overall ChampionshipsOpen PairsSemi-Finals1
2007 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opPreliminaries1
2007 The JammersOpen FormatSemi-Finals2
2007 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2006 Cologne Random Co-op and regular Open PairsOpen PairsSemi-Finals1
2006 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries3
2006 The JammersOpen PairsSemi-Finals2
2005 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries2
2005 WFDF World Overall ChampionshipsOpen PairsSemi-Finals2
2005 Paganello Freestyle ChallengeOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2004 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2004 The JammersOpen PairsSemi-Finals3
2002 Jammers Championships at Jacksonville BeachOpen PairsSemi-Finals2
2002 California Freestyle Open – California Dried Plum FestivalOpen PairsSemi-Finals3
2002 World Masters Overall Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatSemi-Finals1
2002 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2001 FPA World Freestyle Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries2
2001 Jammers ChampionshipsOpen PairsSemi-Finals1
2001 WFDF ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2001 Masters Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen FormatPreliminaries1
2001 Acrobatic PaganelloOpen FormatPreliminaries1
2000 AZ StatesOpen FormatSemi-Finals2
2000 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries1
2000 Summerfest Flying Disc ChampionshipsOpen PairsSemi-Finals4
2000 PaganelloOpen FormatPreliminaries2
1999 FPA Worlds – Santa CruzOpen PairsPreliminaries2
1999 WFDF ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries2
1998 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries1
1998 Virginia StatesOpen FormatPreliminaries1
1997 FPA World ChampionshipsMixed PairsSemi-Finals4
1997 WFDF World ChampionshipsCo-opSemi-Finals2
1997 Disc-a-paloozaOpen PairsPreliminaries1
1997 VA StatesOpen FormatPreliminaries1
1997 Wintertime OpenOpen FormatPreliminaries1
1996 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries2
1996 US Open Flying Disc ChampionshipsCo-opSemi-Finals1
1995 FPA World ChampionshipsOpen PairsPreliminaries3
1994 FPA World ChampionshipsCo-opSemi-Finals2
1992 Freestyle Players Association Worlds ChampionshipsOpen PairsSemi-Finals5
1981 Rose Bowl World Frisbee ChampionshipsOpen FormatSemi-Finals2
Test by AmitMixed PairsSemi-Finals1