{"id":3891,"date":"2024-07-24T13:53:19","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T18:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=3891"},"modified":"2024-07-24T13:56:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T18:56:20","slug":"2024-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-jill-courter-month-of-july","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2024-blue-kc-coaches-with-character-honoree-jill-courter-month-of-july\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Blue KC Coaches with Character Honoree Jill Courter \u2013 month of July"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Courter coached in Blue Springs school district for past 25 years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the \u201cC\u201d You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Blue Springs High School girls\u2019 golf coach, Jill Courter, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of July. With an impressive and highly-decorated resum\u00e9, Courter has successfully been coaching in the Blue Springs school district for the past 25 years and has led her school\u2019s varsity golf program since 2007; making life-long impacts on hundreds of student-athletes in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the high school golf season only spanning a few months, it\u2019s critical for her players to put in work and develop their game during the off-season in order to see improvements year-over-year. Courter understands how frustrating the game of golf can be, and is continually reminding her student-athletes to find something positive in every shot they take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI use the word perspective<\/em> frequently,\u201d said Courter. \u201cI try to remind them when they are having a really rough day on the course to keep things in perspective. Sometimes I even have to remind them to think about the fact that they are out in the beauty of nature, on a gorgeous day \u2013 trying to hit a little white ball \u2013 while at the very same time there are other teenagers their same age in a hospital fighting for their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courter does her best to take pressure off her players by staying positive and in-the-moment while at practice and on the course. She knows first-hand the pressures they place on themselves to be great, since she was also a former golfer. She focuses on simple standards such as having a teachable spirit, confidence, discipline, accountability, mental toughness, and being a great teammate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith golf, we don\u2019t have officials, umpires or referees out on the course with us when our athletes compete and practice,\u201d said Courter. \u201cIt\u2019s up to the players to score correctly, know and understand the rules, and help others do the same. That\u2019s why I really stress integrity<\/em> in golf, as they are representing their name\/family, their team, and their school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout her coaching career, there have been numerous accomplishments, championships, and memorable moments to reflect upon. The Blue Springs varsity girls\u2019 golf team ran the table and capped off an undefeated season with a state championship in 2014. They\u2019ve also had five all-state players over the past decade, as well as numerous athletes who have earned college scholarships for golf. Under her leadership, Courter has also had one individual win a state championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe accolades are rewarding as a coach; however, all the credit goes to the girls for their hard work outside the season,\u201d said Courter. \u201cWhat I\u2019m most proud of is knowing the relationship I have with most of my players will last a lifetime. I still get together with many former players for lunch, or quick texts just to check in. I hope they know I would give them the shirt off my back and be there for them if they ever needed anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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KANSAS CITY, MO – July 23: Photo from a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday, July 23 2024, in Kansas City, MO (Photo by Amy Kontras\/ Kansas City Royals)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cJill\u2019s tireless efforts to create a place where female athletes are respected and loved is her priority,\u201d said one of Courter\u2019s former student-athletes, and nominator, Alli Bowers. \u201cI still remember the love, care and concern she gave me as a young athlete. Constantly encouraging, teaching, and pushing me to be my best self. She continues to grow amazing female golfers by offering impeccable coaching skills and expertise. It\u2019s not the experience that makes her stand out, it\u2019s the heart she gives to each of her golfers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt’s always special when a former player nominates their coach for this award,\u201d said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cIt speaks volumes on the coach\u2019s ability to leave a lasting impression on those she mentors. Coach Courter is no exception with her passion for growing girl\u2019s golf, and doing it the right<\/em> way. Her core standards have helped create a successful, accomplished, and enjoyable program at Blue Springs High School that shows no signs of slowing down. Congratulations from all of us at Blue KC!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue KC Coaches with Character recipients are honored monthly at Kauffman Stadium during Kansas City Royals home games, and fans are encouraged to nominate high school coaches who are making a positive impact on their schools and communities by using the form online at https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/NominateCoachesWithCharacter<\/a><\/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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