{"id":12411,"date":"2021-05-07T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T19:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12411"},"modified":"2025-12-22T14:40:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T19:40:12","slug":"2021-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-jessica-hanna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2021-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-jessica-hanna\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Jessica Hanna"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the \u201cC\u201d You in the Major Leagues Foundation have announced St. Theresa\u2019s Academy girls\u2019 lacrosse coach Jessica Hanna as a Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree. Hanna\u2019s passion is on full display year after year as she continues to grow the sport locally and increase exposure of lacrosse throughout the Kansas City community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanna\u2019s love for lacrosse was discovered while she was attending The University of Kansas. She quickly fell in love with the sport and having grown up in Olathe, Kansas, she decided to help spread the sport in the Midwest. Hanna began working as a lacrosse official for youth, high school and club level matches after returning to Kansas City following graduate school in 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few years later, with only two local high school girls\u2019 lacrosse teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area, parents at St. Theresa\u2019s Academy decided to establish a team. Hanna was asked to coach, in addition to already having a full-time job, and was quickly able to build a highly successful program. After 14 years with Hanna as head coach, the program shows no signs of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI really love the sport and I am most proud when we can pass that love down, or help grow the sport in our area,\u201d said Hanna. \u201cI am so proud when I see my former players competing in college at all levels. And then, after they graduate, getting involved in the lacrosse communities where they end up living. It has also been so great having alumnae return to St. Theresa\u2019s and be a coach for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grit and determination of Hanna\u2019s teams is strong. St. Theresa\u2019s Academy has captured multiple KC Metro Championships and has performed well in the state tournament. She always wants to get the very best out of her players and treats each year\u2019s team with the respect they deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe best part is the players and students,\u201d said Hanna. \u201cThey are such great kids who are smart, love the sport of lacrosse, and have a never give up attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was especially true in a previous championship game. St. Theresa\u2019s Academy trailed by ten at halftime, but overcame obstacles and rallied in the second half, ultimately seizing the KC Metro Championship by two goals. The lessons Coach Hanna instilled on her team throughout the season helped make that moment a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCoach Hanna displayed courage and determination when she decided to begin, and coach, the girl\u2019s lacrosse program at St. Theresa\u2019s Academy,\u201d said Royals General Manager and \u201cC\u201d You in the Major Leagues Founder Dayton Moore. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy to initiate a new sport, but it\u2019s even more challenging to build it into a sustainable and successful program. We\u2019re proud of the hard work and perseverance Coach Hanna exemplifies and are pleased to see the consistent impact she\u2019s making on the lives of her high school students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHer passion to grow the game and instill confidence in young women are her paramount driving forces to coach a game she loves,\u201d said Hanna\u2019s nominator, Jason. \u201cJessica does all of this on top of her job as a full-time forensic scientist for the Kansas City Police Department. She has also helped other schools in the area develop their programs and seen her players land scholarships to further their education, and playing careers, at the next level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEncouraging students to never give up in sports, and all aspects of life, is a key quality that shouldn\u2019t be overlooked,\u201d said Blue KC Chief Communications Officer Christa Dubill. \u201cThe person who nominated Coach Hanna says that she embodies the spirit of this recognition because of her passion to both the sport of lacrosse, and young adults in our area. We couldn\u2019t agree more and are thrilled to recognize Coach Hanna as a recipient of the Blue KC Coaches with Character program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Coaches With Character Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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