Recognizing high school coaches who make Kansas City a better place to live, work, and play
Since 2017, C You In The Major Leagues has teamed up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) to recognize the Blue KC Coaches with Character, intended to spotlight high school coaches who, through their leadership on and off the field, are helping to grow amateur sports in the Kansas City area, and making our community a better place to live, work and play.
Each Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree will be selected from nominations submitted by fans, with one honoree announced each month from April-September.
Honorees will be recognized on 610 Sports Radio, receive a VIP gift package from Blue KC and C You In The Major Leagues, including two special game experiences at Kauffman Stadium, and will be invited to meet Royals Hall of Famer Mike Sweeney. During the offseason they’ll be invited to a reception with CYITML Founder Dayton Moore. Additionally, Blue KC will make a $2,500 donation to CYITML in honor of selected coach.
NOMINATIONS AND SELECTIONS
NOMINATOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- Nominator must be at least 21 years old.
- All nominations must be submitted at www.CYouInTheMajorLeagues.org/bluekc.
- A nominator can nominate only one Coach throughout the season. If a nominator submits multiple nominations, only the first submission will be considered.
- Nominator must provide the contact info, including email address and telephone number of the nominee.
- Nominator must provide a first-person narrative as to why the nominee should be selected
(250 words or less). - Nominator must submit the nomination in English.
- Nominator must agree to be included in a publicity release should his/her Coach be selected.
COACHES WITH CHARACTER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
- A Coach may be nominated several times by multiple people, but please remember quality over quantity.
- Coach must live in the Kansas City Metro Area.
- Coach must agree to be included in a publicity release.
KEY FACTORS CONSIDERED IN SELECTION PROCESS:
- The degree to which the Coach has been a leader for a cause that meets basic human needs or enriches the lives of others.
- The degree to which the Coach has exhibited dedication and selflessness with his/her team.
- The degree to which the Coach has made a special and significant impact on individuals, families or the high school sports community-at-large in greater Kansas City.
- The degree to which the Coach has gone “above and beyond” to serve and inspire others.
- The degree to which the nominator is able to convey the overall significance and impact of the Coach’s influence and leadership.
- The degree to which the Coach has consistently demonstrated the ability to help his/her players become better players, teammates and people.
RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Any and all related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the nominator and/or Coaches with Character. The Blue KC Coaches with Character program is governed by the laws of the State of Missouri and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
By submitting a nomination and by participation, nominator, Coaches with Character, and Coaches with Character’s guests, if any, agree to release and hold harmless Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, suppliers, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers, and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, resulting from nomination or participation in the Blue KC Coaches with Character program.
To see the 2017 honorees, please click here.
To see the 2018 honorees, please click here.
To see the 2019 honorees, please click here.
To see the 2021 honorees, please click here.
To see the 2022 honorees, please click here.
2023 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
April | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Klee Nelson, football coach, Kansas City East.
May| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Reggie Morris, basketball coach, Raytown South.
June| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Tim Kennedy, baseball coach, Blue Valley High School.
July| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Dave Youker, swimming & diving coach, Olathe East.
August| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Shelli Vaughan, dance team coach, Notre Dame de Sion.
September| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Megan Schmidt, multiple sports, Sumner Academy.
2017 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
April | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Brian Driskell, head baseball coach, Grain Valley High School.
May | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Amanda Clayton, Great American Basketball League.
June | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Jack Gillis, youth baseball coach.
July | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Jim Krueger, Youth Hockey Association.
August | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Fred Patek, youth baseball coach and Royals Hall of Fame.
September | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Peggy Rose, Blue Valley High School freshman volleyball, and track and field .
2018 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
April | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Bill McDonald, longtime high school baseball coach.
May | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Preston Steinhoff, basketball & baseball coach, Creighton, Mo.
June | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Marc Asquith, softball coach, North Kansas City, Mo.
July | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Jessie Rood, gymnastics coach, SM Northwest High School
August | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Laura O’Connell, cross country coach, BV North High School
September | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Matt Marble, assistant football coach, Blue Springs High School
2019 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
April | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Larry Holley, legendary basketball coach, William Jewell College.
May | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Ashley Forte, cheerleading coach, Lee’s Summit North High School.
June | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Michael Dudley, baseball coach, Blue Valley North High School.
July | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Amy Razor, volleyball coach, Olathe South High School.
August | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Kelly Donohoe, football coach, Blue Springs High School.
September | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Matt Schweitzer, baseball coach, Staley High School.
2021 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
#1 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Domenic Mussat, head baseball coach, SM Northwest High School.
#2 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Jessica Hanna, head lacrosse coach, St. Theresa’s Academy.
#3 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
D’wan Marshall, head basketball coach, Central High School.
#4 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Shawnie Nix, boxing coach, Police Athletic League.
#5| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Leon Douglas, football coach, North Kansas City High School.
#6 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Steve Morgan, former lacrosse coach, Lee’s Summit North High School.
2022 “Coaches with Character” Honorees
#1 | Blue KC Coaches with Character
Rob James, assistant baseball and basketball coach, Liberty North HS.
#2| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Stu Reece, Lee’s Summit North tennis.
#3| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Susan Mayberry, Basehor-Linwood softball.
#4| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Donnell Fletcher, William Chrisman football.
#5| Blue KC Coaches with Character
Erin Nathan, Blue Valley North bowling.
#6| Blue KC Coaches with Character
J.J. Wannamaker, SM South cross country/track & field.