Coach Shares Life Lessons Learned on the Diamond

For Concordia head baseball coach Mark “Lunch” McKenzie, lessons learned watching from the Minnesota Twins visitors’ clubhouse helped him survive some of life’s toughest curveballs.In nine seasons as Concordia’s head baseball coach, McKenzie has tried to pass these lessons along to his players.

One of the toughest lessons that translated from the field to life was the will to persevere. Carrying on after the heartbreaking loss of his 21-month-old daughter, Jackie, to a rare form of influenza was a lesson in faith. “About two things got me by—my faith and the lessons I learned at the ballpark,” said McKenzie “It’s a game of perseverance.”

Forty years working in the Twins visitors’ clubhouse provided McKenzie insights into human nature that have made him a better coach.  “I’ve seen the best and worst of players, managers, and coaches in the game,” McKenzie said. “It doesn’t matter what sport it is—it’s about people managing people in pressure situations.”

To alleviate pressure situations, McKenzie has developed a few “Golden Rules” for his teams. First: “preparation and anticipation lead to execution.” McKenzie emphasizes that working hard will reap rewards—on the field and in the classroom. Second: “players should play and coaches should coach.” McKenzie encourages players to work hard and do their job to the best of their ability while he promises to do the same. Third: “Shut up and play.” McKenzie exhorts his players to stay focused on the prize, whether that means a diploma or grand slam. When something goes wrong, McKenzie asks his players which rule was broken. “100% of the time it falls under one of these three rules,” he said.

McKenzie feels fortunate to be able to pass along the lessons he learned in the ballpark to his teams. “In coaching, you get a chance to teach kids about life through a game,” McKenzie said. “I can’t think of a more rewarding thing.”

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