Born in Thornhill, Ontario of Ukrainian descent, Larry Uteck attended Jesuit-run Brebeuf College School in Toronto, where he was a football star and Athlete of the Year.
Following university, Uteck played with the Toronto Argonauts, BC Lions, Ottawa Rough Riders, and Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League and was named Conference All-Star in 1975 and 1976.
He coached the intracollege football team at St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto for 2 years, winning the Mulock Cup, then joined the sports program at Saint Mary's University in 1982, and became head football coach of the Saint Mary's Huskies in 1983 and continued through 1997, compiling a winning record.
He served with distinction on numerous HRM Committees including the Downtown Business Commission, Neptune Theatre, and the Halifax Port Corporation.
[4] Uteck married Sue Maloney in 1989, and they had two children, Luke (whom he named after Black's son) and Cain.