DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Famer Jim McKinzie died peacefully at the age of 90 in Sterling, Ill., on Aug. 8, 2022. McKinzie was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.
McKinzie earned eight varsity letters during his time as a Huskie, garnering three each in basketball and baseball as well as a pair in football. In 1952, he led the NCAA College Division in receiving, catching a then school-record 44 passes for 703 yards and six touchdowns, as he was voted team MVP.
On the basketball court, McKinzie was also named team MVP during the 1951-52 campaign and earned honorable mention All-Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recognition as he finished ninth in the league in scoring at a team-high 12.1 points per game. McKinzie also played shortstop and outfield for the Huskie baseball team from 1951-53, playing under his father, and legendary NIU Athletics Hall of Famer, Ralph McKenzie.
He is survived by his loyal, loving wife of 68 years Lenore and his family who adored him. His children Doug (Julianne) McKinzie, Pat (Gerald) McKinzie-Lechault, Sue (Clifford) Westphal, Karen (Dick) Carlson. Six grandchildren Nathalie, Nicolas (Larissa), Marie (Austin), Hannah, Rachel, Mark, one great grandchild Hadley, and his step family, three grandchildren Sally (Dan) Woods, Ron (Maria) Westphal and Sarah Reiss, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
McKinzie earned a bachelor's degree in education from NIU before also completing a master's from NIU in administration. After serving in the United States Army, he went on to teach for 33 yards at Sterling High School (1958-91) where he also coached football, basketball and track. He was inducted in the Sterling High School Hall of Fame and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
A Memorial Service will be hosted on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, at the Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling, with visitation from 11AM-2 PM and service to follow at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made in his name to Jim & Lenore McKinzie Scholarship Fund care of Sterling-Rock Falls Community Trust, (Midland States Bank, 302 1st Ave, Sterling, Il 61081) to help a deserving student going into education or to the Sterling Schools Foundation (510 East Miller Rd, Sterling, Il 61081. www.sterlingschoolsfoundation.org) and Gaffey Home Nursing and Hospice 3408 River Road #4159 Sterling, IL 61081.
