{"id":5905,"date":"2025-04-09T10:56:03","date_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:56:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=5905"},"modified":"2025-05-01T13:55:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T18:55:42","slug":"2025-blue-kc-coach-with-character-honoree-nikki-mackay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2025-blue-kc-coach-with-character-honoree-nikki-mackay\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Nikki Mackay"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belton School District Coordinator for Special Olympics featured in the month of April<\/em><\/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 Belton School District Coordinator for Special Olympics<\/a>, Nikki Mackay, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of April. A passionate coach whose knowledge, expertise, and skill-set stretches across a wide spectrum of sports, Mackay cherishes her opportunity to coach this special group of student-athletes on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as she graduated high school, Mackay jumped into coaching and never looked back. While playing collegiate volleyball and softball, she was also coaching two separate club volleyball and softball teams. After receiving her degree, Mackay incorporated Special Olympics coaching into her arsenal. What started as an emphasis on basketball and volleyball, quickly expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have become the Belton School District\u2019s coordinator for Special Olympics,\u201d said Mackay. \u201cI oversee the program, while head coaching basketball and track & field for our Special Olympians. I also teach dance and tumbling, where I started an adaptive dance team that is fully inclusive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During her time with the Belton School District for the past 12 years, Mackay has helped the Special Olympics program expand its participants by more than 500%. The range of sports offered has also increased significantly, and now includes bocce, bowling, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and swim.<\/p>\n\n\n

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KANSAS CITY, MO – April 8: Photo from a game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, April 8 2025, in Kansas City, MO (Photo by Amy Kontras\/ Kansas City Royals)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cWe have been able to add coaches because of the increase in participation, as well as implement these new sports,\u201d said Mackay. \u201cI\u2019m beyond thankful for the fact that our program is fully funded by athletics and activities within our district, which allows our high school Olympians to earn their varsity letters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout every sport, Mackay is emphasizing the importance of working hard, playing hard, and having fun. She reminds her student-athletes that they never know when it will be their last opportunity to do something, so they need to try to play, or perform, as if it\u2019s their last. She was once told, it\u2019s not about winning, but instead about effort. If the effort is present, everything else will fall into place when the time is right. Be disciplined and patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy student-athletes learn to understand that keywords such as accountability, discipline, effort, and work-ethic all stem from what they desire,\u201d said Mackay. \u201cIf they desire to represent their school district and the name \u2018Belton\u2019 across the chest of their uniform, then they learn to represent themselves, their families, and their community in a positive manner and with respect. It\u2019s important to remember that representing your school and wearing that name on a jersey is a privilege and not everyone has that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another highlight for Mackay at Belton is the ability to participate in the \u2018Super Plunge\u2019 each year. It\u2019s a fundraising event where individuals take a plunge into a lake 24 times in 24 hours. She\u2019s now completed the plunge 11 consecutive years and helped raise more than $27,500 for Special Olympics in Missouri, all while boosting the Belton School District to becoming one of the top plunging teams in the Kansas City metropolitan area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNikki has devoted so much of her time and energy to Special Olympics,\u201d said Mackay\u2019s nominator and former Coaches with Character honoree, Mari Foster. \u201cShe\u2019s a favorite of so many students and families who have special needs. Her ability and willingness to give up her time and effort to ensure Special Olympics in Belton is a success is excellent. She goes beyond coaching and even helps with travel arrangements and pick-ups to make sure anyone and everyone can still participate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA truly selfless and inspiring individual, Coach Mackay is creating a welcoming, fulfilling, and thriving environment for Special Olympians in our area,\u201d said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. \u201cWhile there are challenges and obstacles that come with any profession, her positive attitude and approach to each day make her a shining example of a true leader and role model for so many. Congratulations Coach Mackay, and keep up the great work!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCoaching Special Olympics has taught me more about what\u2019s important in life and to not take for granted what I was naturally given,\u201d said Mackay. \u201cI want to be that coach who once inspired me to be a better person than I was an athlete. I am beyond thankful to have people in my life, and surrounding me, who believe in what I have done with Special Olympics in our area to make a difference in so many people\u2019s lives.\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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