OTTUMWA —
Brett McKenzie is a stalwart believer in the importance of work ethic.
Without it, he said, even the most talented player is unlikely to make much progress.
So, not surprisingly, a strong work ethic is one of the first values McKenzie hopes to instill in the Ottumwa girls soccer team he takes over the Bulldog soccer program this spring.
“If we get that work ethic down, everything will follow,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie will take over the reins of a program that finished 5-11 last year under the leadership of first-year coach Lindsay Safranek. Though this season’s team will return several players, including three girls who received 2012 CIML Metro honorable mention honors last season — senior Lizzi Wiggins and juniors Kathy Lopez and Ginny Kjer — it will have to do without forward Shayla Robinson and defender Katerina Berg, who both graduated last spring.
McKenzie said doesn’t cop to the idea that all players should be treated the same.
“Fair is not always equal,” he said.
The first-year coach said players react differently to different styles of coaching — some need to be pushed hard, while others don’t respond well to being yelled at.
To start the season, McKenzie said he will be stern while also showing his players that he will be there for them.
McKenzie said his approach to coaching has been influenced by past coaches, specifically his Central College coach Garry Laidlaw, his club coach in high school Jorge Aunduray and his father Jeff McKenzie. He said his dad, who has coached soccer since he was a youngster.
McKenzie had an illustrious career playing soccer for Central College in Pella. His long list of accomplishments as a member of the Dutch squad includes being the first person in the program’s history to be named the Iowa Conference Player of the Year in 2010 and placing first all-time in game-winning goals with 15 in his four years (2007-2010) with Central. In addition, McKenzie is tied for second all time in game-winning goals in a season (5 in 2007 and 2010), third in goals (38), seventh-all time in goals in a season (11) and ninth in assists (12).
While McKenzie was solid in all four of his years with the Dutch, his senior year was particularly stellar. Aside from being named conference player of the year, he also led the league in goals and game-winning goals and was twice named offensive player of the week.
McKenzie attributes his success in the sport to a combination of work ethic and natural talent.
“It takes a lot of time and practice to know where your going and to have the instincts to get to all the right spots,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie went on to become a student assistant coach at Central in fall 2011 and he also helped coach boy’s soccer in Oskaloosa.
McKenzie, however, is not just a coach, he’s also a English teacher who teaches Reading at Ottumwa High.
“It’s something that’s always been on my mind,” he said when asked if he always wanted to be a teacher.
McKenzie comes from a family brimming with teachers. His Dad, his Mom Laurie, his older brother Alex and his older half-brother Adam all are or were teachers.
Though he temporarily toyed with the idea of going into a career in business, he eventually decided to carry on the family tradition.
“It didn’t take long to find out teaching was what I wanted to do,” McKenzie said.
English was a natural choice for McKenzie because of his affinity for reading: He said he’s a big fan of Charles Dickens.
One thing McKenzie said he wants to convey to his students is that the way you communicate with people has an affect on the way people perceive you. And, aside from getting know each of his students, McKenzie said he wants to equip his students with the knowledge they will need to be prepared for life and future classes.
When he’s not on the field or in the classroom, McKenzie opts to spend time with his fiance Erin Sondag, whom he will marry this summer. He also enjoys hanging out with his friends in the English department.
Sports
October 17, 2012
New soccer coach to focus on work ethic
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