Spotlight: Minneapolis Roosevelt Athletics

Spotlight

Anchored in the heart of South Minneapolis is the vibrant Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, an urban landmark named after the 26th U.S. President, Theodore Roosevelt. Located in the Standish neighborhood, the school is one of the pillars of the Minneapolis Public Schools.

With an enrollment of approximately 1,257 students, Minneapolis Roosevelt is a comprehensive high school serving a diverse urban population. Its staff proclaims that students receive a rigorous "global education" with a distinct focus on social justice and community.

The school was established in 1923 to serve the growing population of South Minneapolis. Instead of a merger, its history is marked by its transformation: since 2010, Roosevelt has been recognized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, a transition that cemented its status as an academic destination within the city.

Minneapolis Roosevelt offers a wealth of IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Certificate (CP) courses for students preparing for college, yet also places high value on Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways. Regardless of a student’s path, Minneapolis Roosevelt emphasizes "preparing all students for college, career, and life."

With a school motto of Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve our students volunteer over 10,000 hours annually and we've fed over 16,000 families with 55 years of our Operation Holiday Basket program.

The Principal of Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, Christian Ledesma, was named the 2025 Minnesota High School Principal of the Year.

Did You Know?

• Minneapolis Roosevelt’s school colors are Maroon and Gold and they are nicknamed the Teddies.

• Minneapolis Roosevelt High School boasts more than 20 state championships overall. One of its earliest state titles was captured by the Boys Basketball Team in 1956.

• The era of dominance for wrestler Marcus LeVesseur refers to the early 2000s, during which he won four state titles (three at Roosevelt) and set a national high school record with a 141-match winning streak.

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Mike Ramsey played ice hockey at the University of Minnesota and was the youngest member of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic Gold Medal-winning team. He went on to be a four-time NHL All-Star. At Roosevelt he was named Top Defenseman of MSHSL 1977-78

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Reed Larson was an NHL Defenseman. Drafted By Detroit Red Wings NHL – 1976 (#22 Overall), played 10 seasons with Detroit Red Wings: 1976-90. 3 NHL All-Star games. Played in 904 regular season NHL games. Became first American player to score more than 200 goals. At Roosevelt he was named 1974 MN Mr Defense, 1974 MN State Tournament. Inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Fortune Gordien competed in the Olympics and set four world records in the Discus Throw. At Roosevelt he set the MN State Meet Record-Discus: 1941and was State Champ: 1940 Discus, 1941 Discus, Shot Put

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate John Thomas was drafted in the first round (25th pick) of the 1997 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He played professionally from 1997 to 2013, with his NBA career including time with the following teams: New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks & New Jersey Nets

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Rob Mestas was selected as Minnesota Mr Basketball 1995. 1,000 Career Point Scorer

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Tom Nordland was a MN State Tournament Champion 1956 & 1957, selected to the MN All-State Team, was the MN State Tournament Top Scorer and Inducted into the Minnesota Basketball Hall of Fame 2020. After Roosevelt he developed and taught the "Swish" method of shooting by creating 3 highly-acclaimed SWISH instructional videos & a coaches eBook still sold worldwide

• The Roosevelt Wrestlers recently earned the Class AA Academic State Championship with the highest team GPA in the state, demonstrating a blend of athletic and academic excellence.

• Minneapolis Roosevelt graduate Greg Wicklund (1973-1977) had a phenomenal tennis career: High School record: 43 wins, 1 loss, MN State #1 Ranking in Singles

• MN State Titles: Track & Field (22), Golf (6), Cross Country (4), Tennis (2), Swimming (5), Basketball (2)

• The Minneapolis Theodore Roosevelt Foundation acts as a powerful community partner, annually awarding almost $59,000 in teacher grants and $138,000 in scholarships to graduates, supporting special projects from lab kits to choir robes.

• The Gov. Jesse Ventura Scholarship, named for the Roosevelt graduate (and Pro Wrestler for 15 years, Mayor of Brooklyn Park 91-95, Governor of MN 1999-2003) is one of the many individual scholarships funded through the Roosevelt Foundation, aiming to help deserving graduates pursue college or vocational school. Jesse gave an annual $5,000 scholarship for 20 years to this foundation.

• Recognized in 2025 as a National Banner School for Special Olympics, the only Minneapolis Public School with that designation.