Winning is Not Everything PODCAST
#032: Hall Of Fame High School Basketball Coach Larry McKenzie On Why His Younger Self Wouldn’t Be On His Team, And His Insights Into The Killing Of George Floyd Miles From His Home
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BONUS EPISODE
#033 (BONUS): Hall Of Fame High School Basketball Coach Larry McKenzie On A Revelation During His Coaching Journey, And What Parents Should Teach Their Children Right Now
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Conversations with Chanda PODCAST
The Transformation of Youth: A Conversation with Larry McKenzie
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HOOP HEADS PODCAST
Episode 299 –
Minneapolis North Community (MN) High School Boys’ Varsity Head Coach
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North Side Pride
Sports and Real Talk with Coach McKenzie
Insight News (June 18, 2018) Not sure where to start so I guess I’ll start by saying thank you to Mr. Al McFarlane for the opportunity and challenge to share my personal perspective through print media. I’m always telling my kids to get outside of their comfort zones and sometimes you gotta practice what you…
Larry McKenzie Named as Recipient of 2018 Bush Fellowship
We’re pleased to introduce the recipients of the 2018 Bush Fellowship, a group of 24 determined, adaptable leaders who are driven to improve their communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and the 23 Native nations that share the same geography. Bush Fellows receive up to $100,000 to pursue the education and experiences they need…
Homecoming: Hoops star Khalid El-Amin returns to North High as assistant coach
Insight News (November 9, 2017) A hero is coming home. Former North High star Khalid El-Amin is returning to the gym that made him a legend, as he has been announced as an assistant coach of the Polars’ boys varsity basketball team – a team that has won back-to-back state championships. According to Polars Head…
Minneapolis North flips their script with second straight Class A basketball title
Fox 9 (March 9, 2017) Minneapolis North cruised to their second straight boys class A-state title over the weekend, winning by 47 points. But despite recent success, the team still plays like they have something to prove. “They played like that all year.. they were on a mission,” said Head Coach Larry McKenzie. Many of…
Hoops dreams realized for two area stars
Insight News (November 15, 2016) A couple of area hoop stars signed their letters of intent to play Division I basketball next season. Park Center’s Mikayla Hayes and North Community High’s Isaac Johnson signed letters of intent on Nov. 9, the first day high school students can sign. Hayes, a two-time state champion, two time…
Samaritan’s Feet and Movement Mortgage
Media Release (November 10, 2016) Samaritan’s Feet and Movement Mortgage Distribute Over 350 Pairs of Shoes to Children in Minneapolis as Part of Nationwide Campaign Samaritan’s Feet International, with the support of Movement Mortgage, is hosting a shoe distribution event on Saturday, November 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place at the Minneapolis North High School. Approximately…
Beyond X’s and O’s: Prep basketball’s Larry McKenzie spreads his creed, players become believers
University of St. Thomas (November, 2016) Anyone who has played for Larry McKenzie has heard “the creed.” Former Minneapolis North two-sport star Tyler Johnson heard it before he was a Division I athlete at the University of Minnesota. Former Minneapolis Patrick Henry player Johnnie Gilbert heard it before he was playing basketball for the Oklahoma…
Keeping Your Heart in the Game
St. Thomas (October 18, 2016) With just seconds remaining in the 2014 Class 1A Section 4 championship boys basketball game, Minneapolis North High School junior Jamil Jackson drove the length of the court and put up the tying layup against Maranatha Christian Academy. Except the ball didn’t go in. It rolled off the front edge,…
Minneapolis North High Is on a Major Rebound
WCCO (August 31, 2016) It is the first week back to school in Minneapolis, and there is a buzz about North High School that’s all good. The school had just 62 students enrolled five years ago, and there was talk of shutting it down — but the community fought back. More than 400 students are enrolled at…
Tevlin: Group seeks to reunite Jews with their north Minneapolis history
Star Tribune (July 26, 2016) The colors for Minneapolis North High School are blue and white, same as the Israeli flag. This is not a coincidence, says Jane Barrash, who has taught the school’s state championship basketball team meditation, relaxation techniques and positive thinking for three years. The Polars basketball team also plays in Jacobi…
EJ Jones With Larry McKenzie Basketball Much More Than Just a Game
Blog Talk Radio/SBPMATL (June 14, 2016) LISTEN…
Northsiders resist surge in gun violence
MSR News Online (June 6, 2016) After several shootings in North Minneapolis during the month of April of this year, crime statistics show that violent crime has increased by 11 percent over last year at this time. If you think the residents of North Minneapolis are accepting this violence, then guess again. Saturday, June 4,…
McKenzie, Scott Talking NBA On African-American Athlete
Sports Blog (May 31, 2016) Basketball coaching legends Larry McKenzie (left) and Ray Scott will break down the NBA playoffs on tonight’s African-American Athlete talk show on Talk2MeSports Radio. MORE…
Minneapolis North fulfills expectations
Minnesota Spokesman Reader (April 14, 2016) Three years ago, Tyler Johnson, Isaac Johnson, O’ Dell Wilson IV and Jamil Jackson Jr. were the foursome that was going to lead Minneapolis North back to the Promised Land. They were going to restore the memories of dominance in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. Their coach, Larry McKenzie,…
Minneapolis North rebuilding basketball legacy after Class A championship win
KMSP (April 10, 2016) They built a basketball legacy in the 1990s, but low enrollment and the near closure of North High School in 2010 took a toll on the program. But after nabbing a state championship title last month, many say the school is on the rise again. “For us to end the season…
Community Swells With Pride As Polar’s Win State Hoops Title
Insight News (March 22, 2016) A school that was on the chopping blocks four years ago can now again call itself a champion. The Polars of North Community High School are state champions in Class 1A boys basketball following a 68 – 45 win in the title game over Goodhue, March 12 at the Target…
Minneapolis North Takes State
MSR News (March 16, 2016) For Minneapolis North and head coach Larry McKenzie, the third time was the charm. During his post game conference, McKenzie – who led Minneapolis Patrick Henry to four Class AAA titles from 2000-2003 – made it clear that while he was happy to get title number five, it wasn’t just about…
Back at State, Minneapolis North Inspired and Challenged by Program’s Celebrated Past
Channel 5 Eyewitness News (March 9, 2016) Minneapolis North Community School’s boys basketball program was as powerful a powerhouse as you’ll see in prep sports. In 23 years from 1980 to 2003, the Polars made fifteen State Tournament appearances. They finished as runners-up three times and claimed five State Championships in 1980, 1995, 1996, 1997…
Minneapolis North finds fire in tradition of boys’ basketball
The Polars return to the state tournament after a 13-year absence with a goal of honoring their past. Minneapolis Star Tribune (March 8, 2016) The basketball history is so rich at Minneapolis North that there are times before practice starts when coach Larry McKenzie calls his players over, has them sit on the court and just look…
Totino-Grace boys’ basketball coach teaches through ‘odd one out’ feeling
Robert Ware, the first-year Totino-Grace basketball coach, teaches on and off the court. Minneapolis Star Tribune (February 15, 2016) Robert Ware’s first brush with Totino-Grace basketball came in 1998 when his Minneapolis Henry team played the Eagles and star Darius Lane. In those days, hoops fans showed up to the Fridley private school gym by…
Basketball Helps Reinvigorate Struggling North Minneapolis High
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) (January 19, 2016) A huge high school basketball matchup Tuesday night was about more than just the game — the top-ranked North High School Polars faced the top-ranked Hopkins Royals. And for North High, athletics have helped a struggling school make an incredible comeback. Long lines of fans leading into a packed house…
Mpls. community members working to stop violence
KARE 11 (January 11, 2017) Community members in Minneapolis are actively working to stop the violence after a violent 24 hours over the weekend. The Minneapolis police chief says she has added more resources to protect the Minneapolis’ Warehouse District. The Hennepin County Attorney has sent “nuisance property” letters to business owners. And now we are…
Larry McKenzie becomes first African-American inducted to state basketball coaches hall of fame
Insight News Larry McKenzie, North High School’s basketball coach, was among four inductees to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Hall of Fame on Nov. 1. The Hall of Fame recognizes Minnesota coaches who have made significant contributions to high school basketball through their achievements and service. McKenzie is the first African-American coach to receive…
Four To Enter Basketball Coaches Hall Of Fame
Minnesota State High School League (October 20, 2014) The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association has named four men who will be inducted into the MBCA Hall of Fame November 1, 2014. The purpose of the MBCA Hall of Fame is to give special recognition to the people of Minnesota who have made significant contributions to promote…
Coach McKenzie weighs in on discussion of police brutality
Insight News (August 18, 2014) “We have to be the change we wish to see,” said Larry McKenzie, Charter School Liaison for Pillsbury United Communities and celebrated Boy’s Basketball Coach for Minneapolis North High School. “The youth don’t know the people serving the community. They fear (both) the perpetrators, and those serving them in leadership.…
Larry McKenzie Feels Back At Home At Minneapolis North
WCCO (December 7, 2013) Larry McKenzie has been a fixture in Minnesota high school basketball for decades, and now he feels he’s back where he belongs. That’s in a city gym in Minneapolis. “I just felt like I needed to come back to the city,” McKenzie said. “Because these are the kids that really, really needed me.”…
AHA Student With CP Lives Basketball, Dreams
WCCO (February 25, 2013) It’s senior night at Holy Angels, but there is something different in the pre-game warm-ups. A new starter will be unveiled – Nick Anderson. And it’s significant because Nick has been the team manager for four years. He also has cerebral palsy. Larry McKenzie is the head basketball coach at AHA.…
A Class of Purpose
(University of Wisconsin, River Falls) For Larry McKenzie, his avocation and vocation are so closely aligned that the separation is a virtual blur. His life is devoted to instilling hope and pride in young people. https://coachmckenzie.com/RiverFallsArticle.pdf
The School Coach: Blowing the Whistle on Defeat and Despair
https://coachmckenzie.com/school-coach.pdf