Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Levi Libra
Jun 02, 2025 08:17AM ● By Editor
Images provided
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - May 31, 2025
Levi is the Marketing Director for Grand Portage Lodge and Casino and also the Head Girls Basketball Coach for Cook County ISD 166.
You serve as the Head Girls Basketball Coach. What do you enjoy the most about coaching sports?
I love working with people of all ages. I enjoy the energy of young adults the most and I love the game of basketball. So, for me, it made sense to get into coaching.
What words of encouragement do you have for any youth who may be unsure if they are good enough to join a sports team?
Participation in organized activities, at any age, is a great way to keep yourself motivated and engaged socially. Playing a sport in HS is supposed to be fun, and I like to keep that as a focus. I tell my players not to compare themselves to others in the sport and to focus on little things about their skills that make them a better player or teammate. You do not have to be particularly skilled to work hard, communicate, or cheer for your team. These 3 things are more important to me than how many points you score or how many shots you block. Join the team to be a part of the team and to have fun with your peers. If this leads to a lifelong love of the game, then you have really hit the jackpot!
Do you have a favorite spot in the County where you enjoy going to relax on a day off?
Two of my favorite places are the pickleball courts and Partridge Falls.
You are the Marketing Director for Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Have there been any moments of joy that stand out in your mind during your time working there?
I love the team I oversee here and the folks I work with. Being able to meet so many cool people has been a bonus for me.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - May 31, 2025
Levi is the Marketing Director for Grand Portage Lodge and Casino and also the Head Girls Basketball Coach for Cook County ISD 166.
Were you born and raised in Cook County or what journey led you here?
Short answer: Born in Minneapolis, just moved up here during COVID shutdown - almost 4 years ago.
Longer Answer: I was put up for adoption just after turning 1 and the adoption paperwork didn't specify that I was a Grand Portage band member. It took several consciences and several years of chasing facts, and people, to get myself enrolled here. Once land became available on the reservation, I eagerly pursued it and was fortunate enough to move up here.
Short answer: Born in Minneapolis, just moved up here during COVID shutdown - almost 4 years ago.
Longer Answer: I was put up for adoption just after turning 1 and the adoption paperwork didn't specify that I was a Grand Portage band member. It took several consciences and several years of chasing facts, and people, to get myself enrolled here. Once land became available on the reservation, I eagerly pursued it and was fortunate enough to move up here.
You serve as the Head Girls Basketball Coach. What do you enjoy the most about coaching sports?
I love working with people of all ages. I enjoy the energy of young adults the most and I love the game of basketball. So, for me, it made sense to get into coaching.
What words of encouragement do you have for any youth who may be unsure if they are good enough to join a sports team?
Participation in organized activities, at any age, is a great way to keep yourself motivated and engaged socially. Playing a sport in HS is supposed to be fun, and I like to keep that as a focus. I tell my players not to compare themselves to others in the sport and to focus on little things about their skills that make them a better player or teammate. You do not have to be particularly skilled to work hard, communicate, or cheer for your team. These 3 things are more important to me than how many points you score or how many shots you block. Join the team to be a part of the team and to have fun with your peers. If this leads to a lifelong love of the game, then you have really hit the jackpot!
Do you have a favorite spot in the County where you enjoy going to relax on a day off?
Two of my favorite places are the pickleball courts and Partridge Falls.
You are the Marketing Director for Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Have there been any moments of joy that stand out in your mind during your time working there?
I love the team I oversee here and the folks I work with. Being able to meet so many cool people has been a bonus for me.
When you are not busy working and coaching spots, do you have any hobbies that you enjoy?
Pickleball is my favorite hobby, and I do not get to do it enough...I could play every day for 5 hours and still feel like it's not enough! I have played in Mexico, while on vacation, play in Thunder Bay, Grand Marais, Duluth, Minneapolis...just about anywhere I can!
Pickleball is my favorite hobby, and I do not get to do it enough...I could play every day for 5 hours and still feel like it's not enough! I have played in Mexico, while on vacation, play in Thunder Bay, Grand Marais, Duluth, Minneapolis...just about anywhere I can!
What is your favorite season in Cook County? What do you enjoy the most about that?
Autumn We have a couple of fire towers up here that I love to climb to watch the colors change. I love that elevation changes bring such a vast variety of trees and colors. Even the drive/walk into the woods is so magical.
Autumn We have a couple of fire towers up here that I love to climb to watch the colors change. I love that elevation changes bring such a vast variety of trees and colors. Even the drive/walk into the woods is so magical.
