\u201cIt was a surprise, for sure,\u201d said Asquith, who also serves as an assistant coach for the Winnetonka baseball team. \u201cMy years of coaching and focus to help continue to develop programs that give all students a chance to play is something that has always been in my heart. It is truly humbling and an honor to have that recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After accepting a full-time teaching position at Winnetonka out of college in 2002, Asquith realized quickly the impact he could make on young men and women outside the classroom by coaching. With a love for both softball and baseball, it also presented him with a chance to be around the game while teaching life lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA coach\u2019s biggest impact on an athlete\u2019s life isn\u2019t on whether the team wins or loses; it\u2019s about the difference the athlete can make off the field throughout his or her life,\u201d said Dayton Moore, Founder and Executive Director of \u201cC\u201d You In The Major Leagues. \u201cCoach Asquith\u2019s teams have been successful, but he got into coaching so he could make that difference, so this is a well-deserved honor for him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a coach I have the opportunity to help build confidence, find passion and develop young people who can contribute to the community,\u201d said Asquith, whose teams have achieved a combined three conference and three district championships since his arrival. \u201cWe talk a lot about finding the lesson and learning from our mistakes and our successes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to his athletes, one main area of concentration for Asquith is academics. He encourages his players that \u201cbetter focus in the classroom equals better focus on the field,\u201d and challenges them to raise the team\u2019s GPA year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe stress to our athletes that they are student-athletes and that they should lead in the classroom and on the field,\u201d said Asquith, who had five softball players make the Missouri All-Academic Team for maintaining above a 3.5 GPA during the season. \u201cIt\u2019s rewarding to watch their success after they graduate both personally and professionally and hear from them throughout the years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asquith was nominated for the Blue KC Coaches with Character honor by North Kansas City School District volunteer and Winnetonka parent Brian Mercer, who cites Asquith as an asset to the school and the district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCoach Asquith has done an exemplary job of not only keeping his softball players in a competitive spirit each season, but also molding them to be great students in the classroom and good people later in life,\u201d said Mercer. \u201cHe shows great character in putting each of his student-athletes first in the classroom and on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the Major League Baseball season, Blue KC and CYITML recognizes six area coaches as Blue KC Coaches with Character. All honorees are chosen based on nominations from the public, which will be accepted until early September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCoach Asquith is helping his student-athletes to see the benefits of being well-rounded young men and women,\u201d said Christina Lively, Department Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Blue KC. \u201cThe lessons he is teaching them about the importance of academics and community outreach will help them for years to come, and we are thrilled to recognize him as a Blue KC Coach with Character.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Selected from nominations submitted by fans, with one honoree announced each month throughout the 2018 MLB season, each Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree will be interviewed on 810 WHB, receive a VIP gift package from Blue KC and CYITML, and will be invited to meet Moore at an event in September at Kauffman Stadium. Additionally, Blue KC will make a $2,000 donation to CYITML in honor of each selected coach.<\/p>\n\n\n
Blue KC Coaches With Character Program<\/p> <\/div>\n