2026 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Aaron Davidson
Blue Valley West High School Cross Country and Track Coach featured the month of May
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Blue Valley West High School cross country and track coach, Aaron Davidson, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of May.
As a high school coach for nearly two decades, Davidson has taken his passion for coaching to new heights during his most recent tenure at Blue Valley West High School. He began his coaching career, after graduating in 2008, at Shawnee Mission North High School where he spent 15 years coaching cross country, basketball, and track. Now for the past three years, he’s shifted his attention to his head coaching position for both the Blue Valley West cross country and track & field teams.
“We work with a supportive staff, student-athletes, and parents,” said Davidson. “We have a great community of coaches and families that make every season enjoyable.”
With an illustrious career full of accolades and accomplishments, Davidson cherishes each moment on the track as an opportunity to create a lifelong memory for any one of his student-athletes. This dedication and commitment to his role as a head coach has placed him in the upper echelon of well-known and well-respective coaches within the community.”
“My most proud coaching moments are seeing athletes celebrate their own successes,” said Davidson. “It’s great to see their hard work pay off whether it’s personal records, winning championships, or earning scholarships for the next level.”
A strong support system allows Davidson to pursue his dreams and motivates him to bring his best each and every day for the student-athletes he’s fortunate enough to coach. With 19 years of coaching experience, he’s learned many valuable lessons along the way that he happily passes down to those on his team.
“The best advice I’ve received is ‘don’t let the hard day win’,” said Davidson. “It’s a simple reminder that there are high and lows along the way, and the importance of rising above the tough days and always finding things to be thankful for in spite of the challenges life deals you.”
Similar to pouring into coaching, Davidson’s family plays a crucial part in his life. His wife, Ashlee, daughter Brooklyn, and deceased son Nolan give him the courage, strength, and motivation to prioritize his daily tasks and to ensure he’s giving he complete and undivided attention to his student-athletes at both practices and meets for cross country and track & field.
“I want kids to understand that there is more to their athletic experience than the wins and losses,” said Davidson. “As much as I want them to succeed, I also want them to have a valuable experience that also has a positive impact on their life. I want them to take a serious approach to what they are doing and do things the right way so they can reach their potential and also appreciate it later on in life.”
Running has always been near-and-dear to the Davidson family. His wife is the founder and director of the HERD Running program, a youth running program in Kansas City that is designated to empower and build character through running. The values, principles and objectives of the program are also evident in Davidson’s coaching philosophy. He focuses on the basics and pushes his student-athletes to do more than they thought they were capable of.
“Setting standards helps build consistency, accountability, and team culture,” said Davidson. “I think it’s important to have all those things in place to create an environment where kids can maximize their potential.”
Davidson is also the co-founder of The Nolan Davidson Foundation, a Kansas City-area non-profit organization created in honor of his son, Nolan, who tragically passed away in a drunk driving accident in 2023. The foundation’s mission is to carry forward Nolan’s love for sports and his compassionate nature, providing opportunities for children who might not otherwise have access to them. The foundation also provides toys for children in the hospital and supports community initiatives.
“Aaron has molded the minds and spirits of young athletes, instilling in them the values of hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship,” said Davidson’s nominator, Joe Allison. “Through his work as a coach, educator, and co-founder of The Nolan Davidson Foundation, Aaron not only keeps his son’s memory alive but also brings hope and opportunity to countless children and families in the Kansas City area.”
“Aaron’s journey, both professionally and personally, is inspiring, admirable, and influential,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC President. “To balance the complexities and challenges life throws at you, while also maintaining professionalism, expertise, and commitment to student-athletes at the high school level, is remarkable. It’s an honor to highlight Aaron’s successes to date, and know the future remains bright for he and the rest of the Davidson family.”
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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