2025 Blue KC Coaches With Character Honoree Nikki Mackay
Belton School District Coordinator for Special Olympics featured in the month of April
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and the “C” You in the Major Leagues (CYITML) Foundation have announced Belton School District Coordinator for Special Olympics, 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.
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.
“I have become the Belton School District’s coordinator for Special Olympics,” said Mackay. “I 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.”
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.
“We have been able to add coaches because of the increase in participation, as well as implement these new sports,” said Mackay. “I’m 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.”
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’s their last. She was once told, it’s 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.
“My student-athletes learn to understand that keywords such as accountability, discipline, effort, and work-ethic all stem from what they desire,” said Mackay. “If they desire to represent their school district and the name ‘Belton’ 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’s important to remember that representing your school and wearing that name on a jersey is a privilege and not everyone has that opportunity.”
Another highlight for Mackay at Belton is the ability to participate in the ‘Super Plunge’ each year. It’s a fundraising event where individuals take a plunge into a lake 24 times in 24 hours. She’s 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.
“Nikki has devoted so much of her time and energy to Special Olympics,” said Mackay’s nominator and former Coaches with Character honoree, Mari Foster. “She’s 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.”
“A truly selfless and inspiring individual, Coach Mackay is creating a welcoming, fulfilling, and thriving environment for Special Olympians in our area,” said Christina Lively, Blue KC Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “While 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!”
“Coaching Special Olympics has taught me more about what’s important in life and to not take for granted what I was naturally given,” said Mackay. “I 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’s 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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