“My purpose is to take boys to men through inspiration by giving them the tools God provided me to give to them to become champions in life, teaching them to listen vs talk, give vs take, set goals vs dream.”
~ Coach Larry McKenzie
Author, Certified Speaker, Trainer and
Six-Time H.S. Championship Basketball Coach
Dedicated to Inspiring Champions
Coach, author, and educator Larry McKenzie is the First coach to win four straight state titles in the 100-year history of the Minnesota State Boys Basketball.
In 2017, Coach McKenzie became the first Coach in Minnesota High School Basketball History to lead two separate schools to multiple titles, both Minneapolis Patrick Henry and Minneapolis North.
Larry is a long-time community and youth advocate with 20 plus years of experience working with urban youth. His service to young people has earned him numerous awards and recognition including KARE 11’s Eleven Who Care, KTCA’s Everyday Hero, the Minneapolis Park Board’s Volunteer of the Year, and Positive Image Father of the Year.
In 2014, Larry McKenzie became the first African-American Coach selected to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
His commitment to the community has been valued as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Alumni Chapter; serving on the Metropolitan Council Minority Issues Advisory Committee; and as a board member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Minneapolis, the North Community YMCA, the Northside Development Council, and numerous other nonprofit organizations.
Larry’s professional background includes 25 years of business experience in management, sales, and marketing—including 10 years in the non-profit sector. His experience includes serving as Executive Director of Hospitality House Youth Directions, an urban youth ministry; the Urban Director at Youth Frontiers, which provides character education to numerous Minnesota schools; and Executive Director and Charter School Liaison for Pillsbury United Communities. He is also Co- Founder of the Above The Rim Youth Sports Foundation along with his wife Pamela Wilkins- McKenzie.
HONORS / AWARDS
- NCAA Living Legend Award (2019)
- “Guardian of the Game” Award, National Basketball Coaches Association (2019)
- Miami Beach H.S. Hall of Fame (2018)
- Bush Fellowship Recipient (2018)
- First African American Coach in the MN Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (2014)
- First coach to win four straight state titles in 100-year history of the MN State Boys Basketball tournament
- Only coach to lead two teams to multiple state titles in Minnesota high school basketball (2017)
- KARE-11’s 11 Who Care
- KTCA’s Everyday Hero
- Volunteer of the Year, Minneapolis Park Board
- Father of the Year, Positive Image