By Liz Contreras
Before she ever organized a spreadsheet or ran a concession stand, Cindy O’Bannion was a little girl watching her mother sew purple and white stuffed footballs for the school carnival. It was there, in the behind-the-scenes moment—watching women work to make something special—that she learned the power of showing up.
Now it is O’Bannion who shows unwavering support not only for her daughter Rylann, but for the entire Bartlesville volleyball program. Her involvement has, without a doubt, shaped the program into an environment that athletes can thrive in.
“I’ve always volunteered to help with my kids’ teams,” says O’Bannion.
O’Bannion’s early exposure to community service wasn’t just from her family. She credits her middle and high school coach for his example of what it means to sacrifice for the sake of the athletes.
“He was married, his wife worked, and they had three kids,” O’Bannion explains. “I appreciated him when I was in school but never fully understood how much time he devoted and sacrificed until I had kids.”
That sense of gratitude fuels her to support the coaches and the athletes in any way she can. She values the effort it takes to run a program—and how much having help matters.
What started as serving as a team parent with Bruin Volleyball quickly evolved into further contributions. She has served as booster club treasurer, organized sponsorships from local businesses, and developed detailed spreadsheets and timelines that keep the entire program on track.
“My organization has helped our booster club not forget to do anything for the players and coaches,” O’Bannion adds. “My lists and spreadsheets will also help all future booster officers stay on track and easily make decisions on what’s best or needed for the program going forward.”
Of course, not every challenge is solved with a checklist. Fundraising is always a hurdle, and O’Bannion has helped tackle that by involving the players themselves. Varsity athletes now visit local businesses each July to seek support firsthand—an experience O’Bannion believes helps them appreciate the community that rallies behind them.
“We felt it was important for the players to understand and appreciate all our local businesses who support Bruin sports and in return support the businesses,” explains O’Bannion.
Her forward-focused approach to planning and serving with Bartlesville volleyball keeps the program running like a well-oiled machine. But for O’Bannion, the reward isn’t recognition—it’s simply being present for the players.
“I would say just getting to watch my daughter, her friends, and all the girls in the volleyball program work hard and have fun playing is the greatest reward,” shares O’Bannion. “Also, I hope the volunteers help make the coaches’ lives a little easier and less exhausting during the season.”
Just as she once watched her own mother work quietly behind the scenes, Cindy O’Bannion hopes that the girls she supports now will remember the quiet ways people showed up for them—and one day, pass that same love and support on to others.
