Katie Crumpler: BMC Wellness Director and Mom Revolutionizes Local Soccer with New Community League
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
Youth sports play a vital role in fostering a strong, connected community by providing children with opportunities to develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. These programs encourage physical activity, boost self-confidence, and teach valuable life lessons about perseverance and sportsmanship. Beyond individual benefits, kids’ sports bring families together, creating a sense of camaraderie and pride as communities rally behind their young athletes. They also serve as a safe, structured environment where children can build friendships and learn the value of hard work. Investing in youth sports strengthens the foundation of a community, promoting unity, healthy lifestyles, and future success for its youngest members.
For years, kids in Centreville, Alabama, had no local soccer teams. If they wanted to play, they had to travel to another town—or not play at all.
Katie Crumpler, a Centreville native, wanted to change that. As the Executive Director of BMC Wellness Center, she saw an opportunity to bring something new to her community.
Katie says, “From the very beginning, I heard parents say things like, ’We’ve never played any sports before because the kids weren’t interested, but now they’re excited to try!’ or ’I don’t know anything about soccer, but I will help if I can.’ That kind of enthusiasm is exactly what makes this program so special.
“The biggest benefit has been seeing children who never showed interest in sports before find something they truly love. Youth sports play a crucial role in child development—not only do kids gain the physical benefits of staying active, but they also develop essential life skills like teamwork, leadership, and a strong work ethic.
“Beyond just the kids, this program has pushed the entire community out of its comfort zone. Parents are learning new rules, kids are developing new skills, and even teens are gaining valuable job experience. Thanks to these programs, we’ve opened up job opportunities for teens to work as referees and handle ticket sales. It’s a win-win for the entire community!”
This was challenging because it had been many years since anyone led an organized soccer league in town. For a short period we had a program through Upward. There were no teams, no experienced coaches, and most parents had never played the sport. To spark interest, Katie hosted a community soccer day, where kids could try the sport for the first time. The response was overwhelming kids were excited to play.
Starting from scratch wasn’t easy, but with the help of neighboring programs such as the Clanton YMCA Katie was able to launch Centreville’s first organized soccer league.
“My long-term vision for our community sports programs is collaboration. No matter what sport we’re focused on, we are all stronger when we work together toward a common goal: ensuring a positive experience for our youth.
“For soccer specifically, I’d love to see our program lay the foundation for a future high school-level team. We’re building the skills foundation and interest needed to make that happen. More broadly, I want to ensure that every child has access to play and participate, regardless of their financial situation or physical/mental abilities. With my background in special education, providing equal opportunities is near to my heart,” Katie says.
The growth has been incredible. When they first started, they had just 44 kids testing the waters. Now, they have expanded to 138 players, with entire families getting involved, parents volunteering as coaches, kids returning season after season, and friendships forming that extend beyond the field. Not only has participation increased, but the overall skill level has improved dramatically. The sense of community this program has built is just as exciting as the athletic progress that they have seen.
Katie isn’t stopping at soccer. She’s working to bring even more sports programs. “I want to build on this momentum by expanding programs, adding more specific age groups, and working to make sports more accessible through school partnerships. One great example is the NFL Flag grant I helped secure for my brother, Brett Lightsey, which will allow Brent Elementary to teach flag football during PE classes. Ultimately, my goal is to create a lasting sports culture in our community—one that encourages kids to stay active, engaged, and passionate about sports throughout their youth. I don’t want to look at other communities for examples, I want our community to be the example!” Katie says.
Joseph Marchant, CEO of Bibb Medical Center, stated, “Katie has the unique ability to turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into reality. She is the driving force behind our Community Center’s progress.”
Thanks to Katie’s efforts, Centreville’s kids aren’t just playing soccer—they’re building a stronger, more connected community.
