{"id":12413,"date":"2021-06-04T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-04T19:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12413"},"modified":"2025-12-22T14:42:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T19:42:24","slug":"2021-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-dwan-marshall","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-dwan-marshall\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree D’wan Marshall"},"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 Central High School girls\u2019 basketball coach D\u2019wan Marshall as a Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree. Marshall\u2019s commitment to educating the younger generation in all aspects of life helps describe him as a role model throughout the Kansas City community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born and raised in Kansas City, Marshall has a lengthy and well-rounded coaching resume that stretches across multiple sports. For 14 years, from 2002-2016, he coached baseball in North Kansas City, this included a two-year stint as a coach at University Academy High School. Concurrently, his expertise led him to the gridiron where he coached football for 4th-6th graders at University Academy, and was also the defensive backs coach for the varsity team from 2010-2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Marshall\u2019s passion for basketball was evident from the beginning. He coached all levels from YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Raytown Youth Sports and the AAU circuit before his tenure on the high school level in 2010. Soon after, Marshall was named the Athletic Director at ACC Prep Ace Academy and had the honor and privilege of restoring the sports program after several seasons of absence before he took over the reins at Central High School in 2018. Marshall also started basketball programs at the elementary level at Troost, Burke and Truman through the LINC after-school program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years, across all the sports he\u2019s coached, Marshall has seen two former players reach the minor leagues in baseball, one reach the NFL and play for the Denver Broncos, and one reach the WNBA. During his first three years at Central, one of his most proud moments was seeing 11 of his former players moving on and receiving collegiate scholarships at the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe best part about coaching at Central is the family atmosphere and that the administration understands my methods of madness and has trusted my vision,\u201d said Marshall, the reigning Conference Coach of the Year. \u201cThey trusted my plan to move the program forward from being winless just a few years ago to playing in a district championship game only three years in. We\u2019re just getting going, and that\u2019s exciting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marshall was once told, \u2018don\u2019t allow what you don\u2019t have hinder you, but take what you do have to build you\u2019. He\u2019s used that advice to remind his players that there is always someone watching them and that their actions can either draw that person in, or have them flee. Don\u2019t let a 40-character tweet\/text cost you a $40,000 scholarship opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sensitive to the needs of others in a way that I read personalities and body language,\u201d said Marshall regarding his ability to go above and beyond to help others off the court. \u201cI\u2019m on the lookout to see who isn\u2019t wearing a coat and gloves in the winter and help make those needs available. I\u2019ve driven alongside kids (to help keep them safe) who had to walk home in the dark because the rules do not allow us to personally transport kids. I look at the condition of their shoes and make sure I find a different pair and have them available to those who may not be able to acquire new ones on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instilling strong standards in today\u2019s youth is an important measure for Marshall because he wants that generation to be productive members of society in the future. He strongly believes that good standards will help them during their life journey and lead them to make the right decisions when no one is around to say what\u2019s right and wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to receive this honor,\u201d said Marshall. \u201cI have been coaching and preaching to my players that character counts all the time, and all the time character counts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe way Coach Marshall has made an impact at Central High School, and his previous coaching stops, is a perfect example of the type of man we want representing the Kansas City community,\u201d said Royals General Manager and \u201cC\u201d You in the Major Leagues Founder Dayton Moore. \u201cTo demonstrate as much passion and commitment to his players as Coach Marshall displays on a daily basis is something we should all strive toward. We couldn\u2019t be prouder of this outstanding leader and role model and look forward to seeing the great work he completes in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been a father\/uncle figure for the young ladies he\u2019s coached at Central High School,\u201d said Marshall\u2019s nominator, Lamonte Williams. \u201cHe takes from his own pockets to feed athletes, attends their other events\/activities, and even escorts athletes with no parental presence on senior nights. His strong character and selflessness are outstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs indicated by Coach Marshall\u2019s nominator, it takes a special, kind-hearted individual to step out of their way and go above and beyond to help the youth in our community the way Coach Marshall does,\u201d said Blue KC Chief Communications Officer Christa Dubill. \u201cIt\u2019s stories like this that give us all hope for the future and it\u2019s easy to see why we\u2019re honoring Coach Marshall 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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