Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Mother Of Prairie Grove Soccer
PRAIRIE GROVE — Kristen Walker, widely regarded as mother of Prairie Grove soccer because of her pioneering efforts to establish the sport locally, birthed the varsity program into existence through faith and diligence.
Two parents, Jenny Stark and Janice Rush, whose kids no longer play soccer, prompted her to take action.
“Those two parents asked me and kind of made that little push to do something at the recreational level first,” Walker said. “They were very encouraging. They kind of motivated me to get things going.”
Overcoming Skepticism
“It took awhile for people to warm up to soccer,” Walker said, recalling getting teased with phrases like, “It would make a great tuneup for football.”
Growing up in Joplin, Mo., beginning at age 6 or 7, Walker played center and mid-field, sometimes shifting to forward while competing in established programs. Her family moved to Fayetteville when she was in ninth grade.
“There was no soccer here for girls, some opportunity for guys, not much. Nothing at the high school level,” Walker said. “I didn’t play in high school. It was really disappointing because in Missouri we had such a strong soccer program.”
She didn’t want her children, Cole, 21, Morgan, 19, and Cade, 16, currently a Prairie Grove sophomore, to miss out when they moved to Prairie Grove in 2010. Prior to that she coached them in Fayetteville’s Parks & Recreation soccer program.
Seeking Soccer Venue
Walker contacted people inquiring if their land could be used for soccer. While many people were encouraging, they weren’t willing to provide space to play.
“When I would be driving around Prairie Grove, I never saw any soccer balls anywhere. I never saw any soccer goals anywhere. It was kind of sad,” Walker said.
One of her kids told her not to give up, saying, “Mom, if God wants us to have soccer here, he will provide.”
Walker also went on prayer walks, scouting the community for an appropriate venue where soccer matches could be conducted.
One day she spotted a soccer ball in the practice backstop down by the softball field.
“It was encouragement and inspiration during that time I was praying for soccer in Prairie Grove,” Walker said.
Eventually, with the help of others who had no soccer background, Walker formed Washington County United, a youth soccer organization.
Tigers Begin Program
Over time Walker persuaded the late Mike Green, longtime Prairie Grove athletic director, to launch the sport in high school.
Former Prairie Grove athletic director Tommy Roy, who coached Shiloh Christian to a girls State 5A championship in soccer, bears witness to the progression.
“It’s progressed from early stages of soccer to now where it’s obvious they have a plan for what they’re doing on the field,” Roy said. “They have skills and ability to execute their plan on the field, as well. All four (Prairie Grove) coaches are doing a phenomenal job.”
Roy clarified that statement, saying he considers Walker, an unofficial assistant to Prairie Grove boys head coach Darren Chandler, along with girls head coach Stephanie Mitchell and her assistant, Mat Stewart. Mitchell is quick to agree. “I could not do it without Coach Walker. She knew so many kids because her kids had played on rec leagues so she was able to draw people in,” Mitchell said. “After that first intramural year, we played a JV season, the exact same thing as what Lincoln did last year.”
Inaugural Intramural Season
According to Mitchell, projecting a long-term vision was crucial during the inaugural season when soccer began as an intramural sport at Prairie Grove.
“We just volunteered. We just go after school and play,” Mitchell said. “The cool thing is we didn’t know anything. A lot of my girls still don’t have a lot of experience. When you start building something, you’ve got to see the fruits of your labor several years down the road. Yes, we are seeing the fruit of that being played out now.”
Mitchell attributes current success to the foundational efforts.
“We’re not just teaching them about soccer. As a coach, your goal is bigger than the sport itself, your goal is to give them life lessons,” Mitchell said. “Coach Walker has played a big role in that. She’s such a great mentor to all athletes, boys and girls, and other coaches as well.”
Tigers Compete
The next year, Prairie Grove began competing.
Walker and Chandler handled Prairie Grove’s coaching duties the first season. Mitchell was teaching and coaching at Lincoln at the time.
Walker’s daughter, Morgan, was the last of the original Lady Tigers to graduate in 2017 with the bulk of players graduating in 2015.
Roy coached Walker’s son, Cole, when he played for the Comets, a Springdale club team when he was 10-12.
“Kristen was talking about starting soccer at Prairie Grove even then,” Roy said. “She held onto the dream and it’s a reality now. She was determined.”
Developing Soccer IQ
The soccer IQ among student athletes at Prairie Grove has become elevated to the point that understanding messages from their coaches seems to flow naturally.
Chandler said they don’t have to think about it.
“These guys are really good. This is probably the best crew I’ve had in that they can conceptualize an idea of what strategically we’re trying to do,” Chandler said. “They can just go do it with minimal amount of practice in that change. They can make a change and they understand why we’re making that change and they just go out and they succeed in it.”
Soccer is here to stay at Prairie Grove. For Walker, having the sport is simply filling a divine appointment.
“I definitely think the reason soccer is here is because God wanted it in Prairie Grove because of all the provision and people he’s brought into it to make it happen.”