Board approves naming of Galvin Court

Jim Galvin, long-time coach, teacher, and community member, has been honored by White Bear Lake Area Schools for his decades of service to the school community. The White Bear Lake Area School Board voted at its March 4, 2024 meeting to name the fully renovated White Bear Lake Area High School gymnasium “Galvin Court.” The high school will serve grades 9-12 this fall when the additions and renovations at White Bear Lake Area High School - North Campus are finished. 

Galvin began his teaching and coaching career at White Bear in 1970. He served as head basketball coach from 1972 to 1998. Under Galvin’s guidance, the success of the White Bear basketball program was unparalleled. His 1984 and 1985 teams won 52 consecutive games and earned back-to-back Class AA State Championships. He was named State Coach of the Year in 1985. Under his leadership, the Bears won five conference championships and made three state tournament appearances. 

“The timing of this recognition, 40 years after Coach Galvin’s basketball team took home the first of consecutive state championship trophies, could not be better. Back then, Galvin’s teams served as a unifying force as White Bear Lake High School and Mariner High School came together as one high school split into North Campus and South Campus,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “Today, we honor Coach Galvin’s legacy as we unify these two campuses when students in grades 9-12 attend one White Bear Lake Area High School building this fall.”

Galvin also spent 11 seasons as an assistant football coach. The highlight of his football coaching career was winning the 1976 Class AA State Championship. 

When he was not on the sidelines, Jim was a devoted and outstanding math teacher. He is fondly remembered by alumni for his engaging teaching style and positive influence on students. During his career in White Bear, he also served as Athletic Director for almost five years.

“What a wonderful and deserving honor for Minnesota Hall of Fame Coach Jim Galvin,” said long-time friend and colleague Gene Uhlenhopp, who served the basketball team alongside Galvin as assistant coach. “Along with the compliments stated about Jim’s career as an educator and coach, he may be the single most known person and friend of so many in White Bear Lake. This is not only an honor for Jim the coach, but also for Jim the person.”

Galvin continues to serve the school district and community. After his retirement in 2000, he returned to the classroom to serve as a substitute teacher until 2020 and hosted basketball camps through 2023. He continues to support White Bear athletics and is rarely seen out of his orange and black attire. He served on the district-wide facilities planning team and has served as a trusted, influential voice in support of the school district, always focused on what’s best for students.

At the meeting, Galvin expressed his appreciation for the honor. "So I had been working with White Bear basketball for the last 54 years. And I loved it," said Jim Galvin. "I was lucky throughout the years because of the people I had gotten to know and work with. The teachers, the coaches, the custodians, the administrators, the parents, the community members and most importantly the kids. The kids in the classroom and the kids I got to know through sports. Every day I'm lucky enough to see people I have taught or coached over the years every time I go to downtown White Bear Lake."

A Galvin Court celebratory event will take place this fall when construction is complete and the building serves all White Bear Lake Area High School students. The high school project is part of the district-wide Building Our Future facilities plan made possible by the community’s support of a 2019 bond referendum.