Whitehouse native, National Women’s Soccer League midfielder talks leadership on the field and in life
March 24, 2024

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Whitehouse native Chestley Strother built a bright career as a professional soccer player before pivoting to the legal field. She spoke as part of the B.I.G. Women’s History Month series.

Strother started as a student-athlete at UT Tyler, helping lead the Patriots to consecutive NCAA Division III national tournament appearances in 2014 and 2015, before starting her professional career in 2016. She has played for the NWSL’s Houston Dash and WPSL’s FC Dallas, in addition to spending the 2017 season in Iceland with UMF Sindri and two seasons in Sweden playing for Kvarnsveden IK in 2018 and Sundsvall DFF in 2019. In 2020, she signed with the NWSL’s Utah Royals.

Strother said her coach at UT Tyler, Stefani Webb, has been a major influence, pushing her through highs and lows while teaching her to work hard every day. Sports has translated to her everyday life, which she said she approaches with a “work hard” mentality, always seeking ways to be a stronger teammate for all her fellow coworkers.

“I think one reason I love soccer so much, and I miss it to this day, is just that team environment, that team atmosphere, because those are relationships that you take on with you for the rest of your life,” Strother said.

Strother said she believes Women’s History Month is important because it honors all of those before us and celebrates powerful women.

“It’s celebrating everyone that’s pushed the boundaries to get us where we are today, and even in today’s world, there are women who are investing in women’s sports and pushing those boundaries,” she said.

The “B.I.G.” in B.I.G. Women’s History Month stands for “Being Intentional with Gadison.” The series will run throughout March and feature women leaders from East Texas and surrounding areas interviewed by KLTV’s Amanda Gadison.

B.I.G. Women’s History Month Interviews:

Source: https://www.kltv.com/2024/03/24/whitehouse-native-national-womens-soccer-league-midfielder-talks-leadership-field-life/

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