By Liz Contreras
For one Glenpool mom, football became a way to connect with her children and engage with the community. Alicia Tatum became a board member for the football booster club 3 years ago and has since dedicated countless hours to behind-the-scenes planning, all to help ensure the program’s success.
“I wanted to be able to support the team and further support my two boys,” Tatum shares.
As a booster club member, she sees it as her mission to create a sense of unity among fellow parents, encouraging them to join wherever they can. “Come to a booster club meeting,” she says. Running a football program effectively takes the participation of many, and some of the most important contributors are the parents.
As a mom whose boys have played football since youth, Alicia and her husband have been deeply rooted in the program since the beginning. “I’ve always been their biggest fan on and off the field,” says Tatum. Outside of supporting her boys, she stays busy feeding the team before games, as well as facilitating meetings and running the merchandise trailer.
Though much of what she does is visible, Tatum says what often goes unnoticed is the time and energy spent planning it all and doing so with multiple obligations. Juggling full-time work, parenting, and other commitments hasn’t always come easy, but Tatum says she’s found a rhythm. “I’ve learned through trial and error how to manage my time and what works best for our family,” she reflects.
That hard-earned balance has made it possible for her to fully show up, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Among the countless memories she has collected over the years, her son Rueger’s final high school game remains a favorite. “It rained the whole game,” she says. “They were so muddy by the end of the game, and they were all smiling.” Without a doubt, it’s one moment they will both remember for many years to come.
“I love the energy and enthusiasm of Friday nights,” says Tatum. “My favorite is the boys running on the field, the band playing and the crowd standing and cheering.”
It’s the shared joy and unbreakable bond that make it all worth it to Tatum. Her rewards are found in the memories, the community, and the opportunity to play a small part in something bigger.
“The most rewarding part is just being able to help support the team and coaches,” Tatum adds.
Her message to the coaching staff is one of deep gratitude: “Your hard work and the time you commit to football is seen, valued and appreciated.” And to the players: “Work hard, but most of all, have fun.
After all, as Rueger reminded her, it’s not just the wins you remember, it’s who you played with.
