By Derrick Smith

If you visit any high school sporting event, there is no doubt that you will see some supportive parents in the stands cheering on their child and the team. Debbie Shotwell is one of those parents, but she says that it is something that was instilled in her at a young age.

“Growing up, I do not remember many times either my mom or dad were not at one of my events,” she said. “I am so blessed to have come from a supportive home and just want to provide the same to my daughter. She might not realize it now, but I hope she will when she gets older. I also figure no one ever wishes they had worked more and spent less time with their child.”

Shotwell and her husband, Tommy, are the parents of Madalynn. She is a sophomore at Stillwater High School where she is a member of the Lady Pioneers softball team. Outside of school, she also plays for the Oklahoma Blaze, a travel team.

Seeing her daughter play softball is something that Debbie enjoys because that was a sport that she loved when she was her daughter’s age.

“Softball was my true passion sport,” she stated. “I played it for about sixteen years so I enjoy throwing with her and occasionally catching her at pitching lessons. I also loved helping coach her teams when she was young and playing rec ball. I am not sure if I have ever missed one of her games and am typically chattering and taking way too many pictures of her and her teammates on the sidelines.”

Watching games is enjoyable for Debbie, but she is also involved in Stillwater athletics.

“I am on the board of both the Stillwater Softball Booster Club and the Pioneer Booster Club,” she said. “I mostly volunteer in the communications capacity for both organizations, assisting with social media efforts, emails, and things like that. I have truly enjoyed my time on both boards learning a lot of the ins and outs of high school athletics while supporting young athletes and meeting some remarkable parents along the way.”