{"id":1479,"date":"2023-12-21T14:19:14","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T19:19:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=1479"},"modified":"2026-01-02T10:45:34","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T15:45:34","slug":"blue-kc-sports-partnerships-2023-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/blue-kc-sports-partnerships-2023-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue KC Sports Partnerships: 2023 Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A good teammate always puts the needs of the group above all else. And no one embodies that spirit of togetherness more than our Blue KC sports partners, the Kansas City Royals, Sporting KC, and the Kansas City Current.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout 2023, these storied franchises united with Blue KC to highlight exceptional coaches, teachers, students, and first responders throughout the Kansas City community, and helped continue the important conversation to remove the stigma surrounding mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here at Blue KC, we\u2019re incredibly proud of what we\u2019ve achieved alongside our sports partners. Because, as any great team has taught us, when we stand as one, anything is possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kansas City Royals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wrapping up its third year, Shut Out the Stigma<\/a> is a partnership between Blue KC and the Royals to provide support for behavioral health as a part of overall health and well-being and focus on removing the stigma around mental health. Throughout the 2023 season, Blue KC donated $30 each time any Royals pitcher recorded a shutout inning. In total, 963 shutout innings were recorded, and Blue KC donated nearly $30,000 to six behavioral health organizations. This initiative expanded this year with larger-than-life letter installations<\/a> in May called \u201cOpen Letters\u201d at local sports complexes \u2013 all culminating with the release of the documentary Not Good Enough<\/em><\/a> <\/em>in October.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Royals owner John Sherman visited The Kansas City Urban Youth Academy on August 16, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo., and posed by one of the Open Letters. (Photo by Jason Hanna\/ Kansas City Royals)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Open Letters installation was developed from a compilation of letters written by Kansas City-metro youth athletes. These athletes wrote about what they liked and didn\u2019t like about both playing sports and the pressures that come with it. Open Letters puts into words what many kids are not comfortable saying themselves \u2014 a reminder that parents and coaches, in trying to help, can be doing more harm than good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Good Enough <\/em>is a 45-minute look into the perspective of our youth athletes and the toll perfectionism takes on their behavioral health \u2013 perfectionism that is often perpetuated by parents, coaches, and other adults in their lives. The film explores behavioral health challenges today\u2019s youth athletes face and provides a way forward. A very helpful resource for parents and coaches was developed as a by-product of the documentary, called the Conversation Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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WATCH VIDEO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue KC Coaches With Character<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A partnership between the \u201cC\u201d You In The Major Leagues Foundation<\/a>, the Kansas City Royals, and Blue KC, the Blue KC Coaches with Character program shines a much-deserved spotlight on local amateur coaches who, through their leadership on and off the field, make our community a better place to live, work and play. Each monthly honoree was selected from nominations submitted by fans and celebrated at Kauffman Stadium throughout the 2023 season. Since the program\u2019s launch in 2017, 36 coaches have been recognized for their service to the community. Learn more HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This past September, honorees were hosted by Kansas City Royals Executive Vice President and General Manager J.J. Picollo, \u201cC\u201d You In the Major Leagues Foundation Director Matt Fulks, and Royals and MLB Hall of Famer, George Brett. Watch the celebration of all honorees with George Brett!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is your coaching hero?<\/strong>
Do you remember that coach who made a difference in your life? What better way to say thank you than to nominate them for Coaches With Character? Over 25 metro-area coaches have already been recognized as part of the Coaches With Character program, and now is your chance to nominate! Selected high school coaches get a once-in-a-lifetime experience with 4 tickets to a Kansas City Royals game, a merchandise gift card, a parking pass, tossing out the ceremonial first pitch, and an interview on 610 Sports Radio during the pre-game show. Click here<\/a> to nominate your sports mentor today!<\/p>\n\n\n

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The 2023 Coaches With Character recipients were recognized in a special pre-game ceremony at Kauffman Stadium on Sept. 30, 2023.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2023 Honorees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n