Keith MacKenzie’s greatest satisfaction after 14 years of coaching high school athletes in both football and basketball, comes from the many hundreds of students who affectionately call him “Coach”. Keith says that really puts meaning into the job. After the hundreds of contests, it’s the kids you remember, not any particular game, although there have been many that have made it into the record books.

Keith MacKenzie, a junior varsity football player at the University of New Brunswick, came home to get involved in the school sports programs as a physical education teacher.

His first efforts produced immediate results at South Colchester High School, where he coached the girls’ basketball team to the provincial championships in 1968 and 1970. The basketball success continued as Keith became involved with the new Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) in Truro.

Over the next 12 years, from 1971 until he retired from coaching in 1983, CEC won six provincial championships and the team went to the provincial finals for 12 consecutive years. It’s a record that will stand for a long time. Keith also coached the Canada Games team and his female basketball players finishing 6th in 1975 and won a bronze medal in 1979, the highest placing ever by a Nova Scotia team. He was rewarded with international recognition.

Keith MacKenzie’s highest profile in the sports world probably came with his great success with the CEC football squad. He took over a dismantled situation in 1971 and coached for the next 14 years, winning five provincial titles while holding a 4-3 edge over archrivals, Queen Elizabeth High School, in title matches. He topped off his football coaching career with an undefeated season of 10 and 0. His team was involved in nine provincial finals.

Softball was one of his off-campus pursuits. From 1962 to 1970, MacKenzie played and coached in the Truro and District Fastball League, winning championships from 1966 to 1970, including the Nova Scotia Intermediate “A” Crown. Keith was a player and coach with Truro’s first entry in the Halifax Senior “B” League for three years, while serving as either president or secretary of the Truro and District League for a five-year period. This was followed by his involvement in the Colchester Men’s Slopitch League of 16 teams. He was the founder and its president for six years. He was also a registered umpire with Nova Scotia Softball from 1960 to 1980, also serving as secretary of the Fundy Region Umpires Association.

Mention hockey and the credits are just as impressive. Keith MacKenzie is remembered as founder of the Colchester Oldtimer’s League in 1985. He also served a term as president of the Truro District Hockey League. The organizational level of Nova Scotia school sports, the N.S.S.A.F., also benefited from his involvement, he served as Regional Director from 1983 to 1988. A quick look at his present credits include:

• An Executive Officer of the Truro Golf Club
• Board Member of the Truro Sports Heritage Society
• Vice President of the Truro Bearcats of the Maritime
• Senior Hockey League
• Coach of the Oldtimer’s Hockey Club and
• Colchester Slopitch League.

Keith MacKenzie’s untiring efforts have been recognized by many organizations for his counselling and assistance. He has been honoured as the first “Coach of the Year” by Basketball Nova Scotia in 1979. In 1988, he received the Award of Merit from the National Basketball Coaches Association and was also made a lifetime member of the Fundy Umpires Association.

1990 was a special year for Keith. The man who reestablished the blossoming football program at CEC, received the Football Canada Award of Merit during the annual meeting in Charlottetown.

These are the highlights of what, at this early date in Keith MacKenzie’s life, has to be considered his total commitment to sports. We can only suggest sports fans and players stay tuned for his next project.

Bio Courtesy of Frank MacDonald