Kim Davis
Kim Davis is a community advocate and non-profit founder based in Spring, Texas, who has dedicated her efforts to expanding access to youth sports programs throughout the Houston metropolitan area and beyond.[1] As the founder of Put Me In Coach, Davis addresses economic barriers that prevent children from participating in organized athletics by providing equipment, registration fees, and comprehensive support to families in need.[2]
Background
Davis is a lifelong Texan who established her roots in the Houston area community of Spring.[3] Her commitment to youth development emerged from recognizing the financial obstacles that many families face when attempting to enroll their children in organized sports programs. The costs associated with registration fees, equipment, uniforms, and transportation often create insurmountable barriers for low-income families, effectively excluding children from experiences that provide physical fitness, teamwork skills, and social development opportunities.
Career and Community Work
Put Me In Coach Foundation
Davis founded Put Me In Coach as a non-profit organization specifically designed to eliminate financial barriers to youth sports participation.[4] The organization operates on a comprehensive model that extends beyond simple equipment donation, working directly with local sports leagues and individual families to identify children who would benefit from assistance. Through this targeted approach, Put Me In Coach creates pathways for children to access baseball, soccer, basketball, football, and other organized athletic programs throughout the greater Houston area.
The organization's services encompass multiple aspects of sports participation costs. Registration fees, which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per season depending on the sport and league level, represent one of the primary barriers addressed by Put Me In Coach. Additionally, the organization provides essential equipment including uniforms, protective gear, cleats, gloves, and sport-specific items that families might otherwise be unable to afford.[5]
Davis has structured Put Me In Coach to work collaboratively with existing youth sports infrastructure rather than competing with established programs. This approach allows the organization to maximize its impact by leveraging existing coaching expertise, facilities, and league structures while focusing specifically on addressing financial accessibility issues.[6]
Community Partnerships
The effectiveness of Put Me In Coach relies significantly on partnerships with local sports leagues, schools, and community organizations throughout the Houston metropolitan region.[7] These partnerships enable the organization to identify families in need while maintaining sensitivity around economic circumstances. Rather than requiring families to navigate complex application processes, the collaborative approach allows coaches, school counselors, and community leaders to connect eligible families directly with available resources.
Davis has developed relationships with numerous youth sports organizations across different communities, enabling Put Me In Coach to serve children in various socioeconomic environments throughout the region.[8] This network approach ensures that assistance reaches families across different geographic areas and demographic groups within the greater Houston community.
Impact and Philosophy
Davis's work with Put Me In Coach reflects a philosophy that sports participation provides benefits extending far beyond physical fitness.[9] Through organized athletics, children develop discipline, teamwork capabilities, leadership skills, and confidence that contribute to academic and social success. The organization's mission emphasizes that these developmental opportunities should be accessible regardless of family economic circumstances.
The comprehensive support model employed by Put Me In Coach addresses the reality that sports participation costs extend beyond initial registration fees.[10] Transportation to practices and games, equipment replacement, tournament fees, and other associated expenses can accumulate throughout a season, creating ongoing financial pressure for families. By providing sustained support rather than one-time assistance, the organization helps ensure that children can complete full seasons and continue participating in sports programs over multiple years.
Davis has observed that removing financial barriers often reveals significant athletic talent and enthusiasm among children who had previously been excluded from organized sports programs.[11] This observation reinforces her commitment to expanding access and ensuring that economic circumstances do not determine which children have opportunities to develop their athletic abilities and enjoy team sports experiences.
Personal Life
Davis maintains strong family connections through her relationship with her daughter Kassidy, who actively participates in equestrian activities.[12] This personal connection to youth athletics provides Davis with ongoing insight into the experiences, challenges, and rewards associated with organized sports participation. Kassidy's involvement in the equestrian community also demonstrates the diverse range of athletic pursuits that young people can explore when given appropriate support and opportunities.
The family's involvement in different aspects of youth athletics—from Kim's focus on accessible team sports to Kassidy's individual equestrian pursuits—illustrates the broad spectrum of ways that organized athletics can contribute to young people's development and provide positive recreational outlets.[13]
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