2025 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Megan Codilla
Ruskin High School girls’ head soccer coach featured in the month of June
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Ruskin High School girls head soccer coach, Megan Codilla, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of June.
A Kansas City native, Codilla previously coached volleyball and boys’ soccer before making the full-time transition to serving as the head coach of the varsity girls soccer team. It’s a position she values and uses her skillset to enhance her student-athletes’ abilities both on and off the field.
“The best part about coaching at my school is getting athletes who have never had an opportunity to play outside of school and seeing them thrive,” said Codilla. “I have several girls on my team who have never played soccer before, and they come out and learn to love the sport like I did as a kid. I love when my girls start to develop the same love and passion for the sport as me. They start asking questions and trying new skills.”
For Codilla, the emphasis isn’t on winning or losing, but rather continuing to develop, learn the game of soccer and compete to the best of your abilities.
“Never give up, even in the hardest of games,” said Codilla. “When you feel like you’ve worked hard, work even harder and stay the course.”
Two major highlights and proud moments in her young coaching career occurred when she helped lead her student-athletes to the highest win records in school history, coupled with a pair of two different tournament titles. In 2022, Ruskin captured the Winnetonka High School tournament and finished the season with a 7-8 overall record. Success continued, and in 2024, the varsity girls soccer team won the Center High School tournament and ended the year with a school-record 9 total wins.
“There are many games we play against schools who have kids who are exceptionally developed in soccer,” said Codilla. “Many of my student-athletes just started playing soccer their freshman year. I have taught them to overcome adversity and to never give up. Many coaches and referees in our conference have praised the girls over the past few seasons for their willingness and poise to continue battling, even in challenging games.”
When she began her coaching career, Codilla was reminded to ‘teach the whole child, not just the individual skill’. She’s taken this message to heart and realizes that she isn’t just a coach for her players. Instead, since many have diverse situations and backgrounds at home, she serves as a second parent, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or a place they can feel safe to approach for a conversation or advice.
“Since my student-athletes come from various backgrounds, I instill standards and encourage them to be a student first, before an athlete,” said Codilla. “This has shaped them into top-tier students within our school, and the mentality has kept them in check with their grades and attendance. It’s also benefitted them as athletes while they’re playing because they compete with both grace and kindness.”
“Over the years, Coach Codilla has become more than just a coach to me,” said one of Codilla’s nominators, Emelyn Rivera. “She has been a mentor, a motivator and in many ways, a second mother. Her unwavering belief in me, her constant encouragement and her genuine care have made a lasting impact that I will forever be grateful for. From the first day I stepped onto the field as a goalie, Coach Codilla made it clear that she saw potential in me, even when I doubted myself. Beyond her role as a coach, Coach Codilla has provided a sense of stability and support in my life. She genuinely cares about the well-being of each of her players and ensures that we feel like we belong.”
“The outpouring of love and support the community has shown Coach Codilla throughout her journey at Ruskin High School has been outstanding,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Her passion to improve the lives of her student-athletes, both on and off the soccer field, will continue to having positive and lasting impacts for everyone who enters her program. We’re honored to highlight her accomplishments.”
“I’m beyond excited to be recognized as a Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree,” said Codilla. “I try to give everyone the experience I had growing up. I had amazing coaches and teachers and have them to thank for the coach and person I am today.”
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 https://www.BlueKC.com/NominateCoachesWithCharacter.
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Blue KC Coaches With Character Program
