OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in
the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Pembroke Hill High School baseball
coach, Jeff Diskin, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of June.

Ever since the turn of the century, Diskin has been heavily involved in the great game of
baseball. What started with being a simple youth coach, quickly evolved to an illustrious career
at the high school level, while also finding new, innovative, and engaging ways to spread his
love and knowledge of the game to the next generation.

“After taking an assistant varsity coaching position at Pembroke Hill, I enjoyed the experience
so much that I decided to change careers after just one season and go back to school to
become a teacher and coach,” said Diskin. “I’ve been the head coach of our boys’ baseball team
for the past 22 years.”

At a school rich in tradition, Diskin has made sure everyone who is interested in learning, or
playing, the game of baseball at the high school level has the opportunity. He takes pride in
having never cut a single player in more than two decades as the head coach.

“Our players and families are outstanding,” said Diskin. “We practice and play games off-
campus, roughly 20 minutes from school, so we have had to develop an eco-system that
everyone has bought into.”

This approach has helped his teams buy into the program, and brought them closer together as
they’ve had to successfully manage all the off-field hurdles that are thrown their way. Diskin’s
ability to find balance and consistency in his program has allowed him and his players to be
successful year-in and year-out.

“I love the fact that we have some players who enter the program with lots of baseball playing
experience, while others enter without any,” said Diskin. “Yet together, we have to figure out
how to create a rewarding experience for everyone. I tell my players to take immense pride in
doing the little things, because the little things are actually the big things that make a difference
in the long run.”

Diskin understands and values his position as a high school head coach and challenges himself
each day to be the best he can be and to strive for greatness. He knows coaching is a noble

position that helps mold and shape young athletes, and he feels honored to be associated with
many others in the local community that care so deeply about enriching the lives of the next
generation of parents, teachers, coaches and leaders.

“Instilling standards, both team and individual, allow players to reach heights they did not
realize they were capable of reaching,” said Diskin. “It helps by allowing them to know that they
are the only people who can put limits on themselves. However, you can’t have standards
without accountability.”

On top of coaching at Pembroke Hill, Diskin also oversees an educational program at an
academy in the Dominican Republic and is involved in the Royals Sport Development
Department which finds new ways to encourage kids to play on the diamond and grow the
game. He lives by example, and always tries to bring positivity and optimism into his daily
interactions with student-athletes, parents, and other administrators.

“You have to like who you see in the mirror each morning,” said Diskin. “In short, this means
that you need to treat people right and do the right thing so that you can feel good about
yourself throughout the day.”

“Jeff’s passion for educating and enhancing the lives of the next generation in our community is
commendable and outstanding,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC President. “His unwavering ability
to bring his passion for baseball, and coaching, to the forefront is a worthy and exceptional
trait. Learning how Jeff has impacted the lives of so many in the Pembroke Hill community is a
notable accomplishment that doesn’t go unnoticed. We’re proud to highlight this outstanding
Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree!”

Blue KC Coaches with Character recipients are honored monthly at Kauffman Stadium during
Kansas City Royals home games, and fans are encouraged to nominate high school coaches who
are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at
Nominate Coaches with Character