Krista Sutmiller moved to McAlester some 20 years ago and got her family started with two soccer-playing sons Gavin and Gage. But she was not content just to go sit on the bleachers and watch them play.

“I started out as a team manager with orange slices and Capri Suns and that kind of thing, and I’ve just been helping out with their teams ever since,” said Krista.

She and her husband served on the board of directors for the McAlester United premier team which the boys played on until they gotinto high school when they moved to the WUSA team in Muskogee.

“I just want to do my part to see that the kids have the best experience possible. I love the sport in general which also helps.”

For the last several years at least, soccer has been at the heart of the Sutmiller family’s activities.

“Between going to the boys’ high school and premier games, we just like to watch soccer as well so that about sums up our free time activities,” said Krista.

Gage, the oldest boy, plays soccer at Randall University in Moore and Gavin is a senior and winding up his career at McAlester High and has verbally committed to Randall as well giving Krista a chance to reflect on the time and effort she has devoted to her sons and their athletics while offering some advice to other parents about becoming more involved.

“It’s a lot of work to buy into your kids’ dreams but ultimately when they realize those dreams, it’s worth everything. Being a team volunteer is a commitment but in the end it’s worth it. Now that my boys are leaving, we’re well established in the community, and I hope I can find another outlet to support youth sports.”

With that kind of dedication and outlook, it’s no wonder that Krista Sutmiller is VYPE’s Mom of the Month.