As the current head coach of the boys\u2019 and girls\u2019 tennis teams at Lee\u2019s Summit North for the past 19 years, Reece strives to help his student-athletes find success both on and off the court. While he has seen great success from a tennis perspective, he takes the most pride in seeing his former players become highly successful adults once they graduate from Lee\u2019s Summit North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne of my early mentors told me to not focus on what the athlete can do with the ball, but focus on how the ball can transform the athlete,\u201d said Reece. \u201cThat advice has helped me keep winning and losing in perspective and continues to keep my focus on the true values of participating in school sports.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creating and maintaining a strong, uplifting culture has been a core value during Reece\u2019s 29-year coaching career. One of the sayings he continually shares within his tennis program is that the score is always zero-zero. In sports, as well as life in general, nothing can be done about the past. Emphasizing the importance of living and focusing on the current moment and how it can shape the future, is the type of messaging that Reece enjoys sharing with his players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat philosophy has helped us pull off some incredible comebacks and upsets throughout the years,\u201d said Reece. \u201cIt is also a reminder that we need to keep moving forward in life. Sports are an incredible laboratory, and the ability to set clear expectations helps student-athletes learn how to handle both the successes and failures with class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reece exemplifies and encourages integrity on a daily basis. He helped create the \u2018Code of Lee\u2019s Summit North Tennis\u2019 which creates a connection between the skills and values needed to be successful on the court, as well as an application to winning in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, Reece enacted \u2018Fun Tennis Fridays,\u2019 which are designed to provide free tennis lessons for area youth. He has partnered with local elementary and middle schools to offer free clinics to strengthen the sport and get more children involved in tennis at a younger age. Reece has also helped to successfully change the Lee\u2019s Summit North tennis program to a \u2018no-cut\u2019 sport and increased participation from just 20 girls to more than 70 each season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe also host the largest tennis tournament for beginners in the Midwest with more than 150 participants,\u201d said Reece. \u201cI have been blessed with incredible assistant coaches and players who have shared a vision to create new opportunities for kids to experience the wonderful sport of tennis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCoach Reece is a passionate, hard-working and caring individual who has been such a pivotal piece of the Lee\u2019s Summit North community,\u201d said Royals President of Baseball Operations and C You in the Major Leagues Founder Dayton Moore. \u201cAs an ambassador for the sport of tennis, Coach Reece\u2019s commitment to growing the sport and developing fun, creative ways to participate is evident through the numerous initiatives he\u2019s helped create. We\u2019re proud to highlight his accomplishments and know the student-athletes he\u2019s worked with are thankful for his efforts. Congratulations Coach Reece on being named a Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCoach Reece is a positive encourager of every player at every level,\u201d said Reece\u2019s nominator, Sarah Green. \u201cHe is well known for saying \u2018one more ball\u2019, and explaining that we should always be willing to put in more effort. He continually preaches to us to stay connected to our teammates and always cheer even if they\u2019re playing eight courts down. Coach Reece has inspired thousands of kids and has encouraged many others to learn this great sport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCoach Reece\u2019s impact on his players and the Lee\u2019s Summit community over several decades has been incredibly strong,\u201d said Jenny Housley, Blue KC Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cBy using sport as an incubator, he has built confident student-athletes who then grow into exceptional adults and leaders. The Blue KC Coaches with Character program strives to recognize coaches who go beyond their sport to inspire others and Coach Reece exemplifies everything this program seeks to honor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
Blue KC Coaches with Character Program<\/p> <\/div>\n