June 18, 2022

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

Longtime Lee’s Summit North tennis coach Stu Reece is widely known in the sport for helping his players earn a point or win a match. This year thanks to an area program honoring coaches with character a lot more is being said about Coach Reece and his many accomplishments.

Earlier this year Coach Reece was named a Blue KC coach with character and was honored at a Kansas City Royals game. Reece was given the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Kansas City Royals/Chicago White Sox game on Monday night May 16.

An example of what a difference Coach Reece has made is the KC Summer Slam event, a popular metro wide tennis event that he started. It’s not too late to participate in the fun this summer as the event takes place in July. To register and learn more visit online at kcsummerslam.com. All three high schools in Lee’s Summit will be serving as hosts this year.

Coach Reece is set to enter his 20th season as Lee’s Summit North tennis coach when the 2022-23 school year begins. Reece is the third coach from Lee’s Summit North to be given this recognition in the program’s six year history. In May 2019 Ashley Forte, cheerleading coach was honored. In 2021 it was Steve Morgan, a former lacrosse coach being honored. If you know of a coach worthy of this honor you are welcome to nominate coaches by going online to cyouinthemajorleagues.org/BlueKC.

Coach Reece is one of six Blue KC Coaches with Character honorees this year. All six recipients are invited to attend the KC Royals vs Minnesota Twins game on Wednesday, Sep. 21. All coaches will spend time in a suite and hear from KC Royals President Dayton Moore before the game. Each coach will get a banner wrapped around a column near the Gate D entrance where fans can see it as they enter the concourse. For LS North Broncos fans and area youth tennis players it will serve as just another reminder of Coach Reece and the work he is doing with character.