2024 Blue KC Coaches with Character Honoree Tim Kluempers – month of August
Kluempers is head rugby coach at St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced St. Thomas Aquinas High School rugby coach, Tim Kluempers, as the Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree for the month of August. A lifelong coach, Kluempers has thoroughly enjoyed his past 16 years as the leader of the Saints boy’s rugby program. Just last year, the school launched the inaugural season of girl’s rugby, which is also coached and led by Kluempers.
“We create an environment that is open to all walks of life and all athletic abilities,” said Kluempers. “This helps us raise good young men and women through the game of rugby. We teach them how to work as a team, all fighting for one common goal. We also teach them the ethos of rugby.”
There are three core elements that Kluempers emphasizes to his students-athletes: Respect, Discipline and Solidarity.
“We are a team and it is very important that we have each other’s backs at all times, both on and off the rugby field,” said Kluempers. “Take the time to learn about each other, interact with each other, help each other, and like each other. Everything else will ultimately take care of itself.”
This approach to coaching has paid dividends on the field as well. During Kluempers tenure at St. Thomas Aquinas, the Saints have captured 14 Kansas State Rugby Championships, and in 2017 won the High School Rugby National Championship. This immediate success is no surprise to those who know Kluempers. He was a member of the USA National Rugby Team from 1996-2001 and has first-hand experience on how the game of rugby can positively impact the lives of student-athletes.
“I get to share my passion and love for the game of rugby with amazing men and women,” said Kluempers. “I have been able to spend time with all my (four) children as either managers or players on the St. Thomas Aquinas rugby team. I love that the players take care of each other, whether you’re a senior or a freshman, the best athlete or the worst athlete, and have mutual respect for themselves and their opponents.”
Once his playing career transitioned into coaching, Kluempers remembers being told to not take the joy of playing the game away from the athletes and to encourage them to get out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to make mistakes. Additionally, he was taught that players do not care how much you know until they understand how much you care about them as a person.
“I always tell them to work hard and do the right thing,” said Kluempers. “Control what you can control, and the rest will take care of itself. What costs nothing, is worth nothing. Have faith in God and He will guide you along the way. We encourage our student-athletes to manage their lives with discipline, compete with ferocity, and lead with love.”
“Tim leads by example and pushes his rugby teams to become their best selves – on and off the field,” said Kluempers nominator, Therese Feess. “In addition to coaching rugby at Aquinas, he is also a key supporter of Heartland Youth Rugby, and the Youth Right Development League that helps grow the sport of rugby in the Kansas City area. His reach of rugby stretches worldwide, but his impact on the sport locally has brought so much growth to so many teams.”
“The passion and dedication Coach Kluempers displays for his student-athletes is second-to-none,” said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “His ability to take a sport he’s been involved with his entire life and build a sustainable and respected rugby program demonstrates his true character and approach toward enriching the lives of high school student-athletes. We’re proud of Coach Kluempers’ accomplishments and know he’s a deserving Blue KC Coaches with Character honoree.”
“The standards you set, and the actions you accept, turn into your culture,” said Kluempers. “Our standards are non-negotiables that take zero athletics ability; therefore, everyone can achieve them. A few of our non-negotiables include work ethic, being on time, effort, body language, energy, attitude, being coachable, being prepared and being polite. These are traits that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.”
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
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