February 8th Meeting Recap
Coach Larry McKenzie & Host Cindy Leines
Minnesota's most successful basketball coach returned to Wayzata Rotary last week for an update on his efforts to change lives at Minneapolis North High School. Just four years Minneapolis North was a failed school that was scheduled to be closed after dwindling to only 68 students. With only a 30% graduation rate, more students were heading to prison than gaining their diplomas, and their community was notable for its very low incomes, high crime, and lack of male role models. While the school was left for dead, a key group of individuals refused to let it be buried. Coach McKenzie was recruited to the school in an effort to change lives through the discipline and rigor of sports. Today North is growing and thriving with 450 students, a 70% graduation rate, and a basketball team that has gained the conference championship four years in a row. Coach McKenzie role models strong character, compassion, trust, accountability and hard work for his young men, and sets the bar high: each day between the end of school and basketball practice each student is required to attend a three hour study hall and tutoring session, which is paying off in college admissions and scholarships that will set the boys up for successful futures beyond basketball. Thanks to the generosity of Wayzata Rotarians, Coach McKenzie left last week's meeting with $1200 towards a practice clock, basketballs, and other needed supplies.