Bailey Stokes, a 42‑year‑old Eugene native, stepped into the role of executive director at Kidsports three months ago. A former player who grew up on the organization’s fields, she now leads the nonprofit with a clear mission: youth sports should be about fun, community, and accessibility, not just winning.

Family roots and a lifelong love of sport

Stokes comes from a family steeped in athletics. Her father, Tim, a former NFL player, still coaches and occasionally debriefs her niece’s basketball games. Her own athletic résumé includes a state championship in high jump at South Eugene High School and a stint playing college basketball at Oregon State before an ankle injury ended her playing career.

From fashion to coaching

After college, Stokes pivoted to apparel design, working for brands such as Hanna Andersson. Personal tragedy struck when she lost her first husband to cancer, reinforcing her belief that time spent serving others matters most. In 2021 she returned to Eugene to help with her family’s metal‑stamping business and soon began coaching basketball through Kidsports.

Coaching as a conduit for character

Stokes says the greatest lessons come from showing up and learning to handle disappointment. She watches her second‑ and third‑grade players braid hair, crochet, and share stuffed animals, noting that these moments forge lasting friendships and community bonds. “Kids learn so much about just continuing to show up, because showing up really matters,” she explains.

Building a stronger community resource

Under Stokes’ leadership, Kidsports continues to see steady or rising sign‑ups despite declining public‑school enrollment. She is forging stronger ties with school gym teachers to refer children who could benefit from team sports, and she is equipping coaches with tools to address emotional challenges such as anxiety and frustration.

Looking ahead

Stokes admires her predecessor, Bev Smith, who spent 16 years expanding equitable access to youth sports and championing the Civic Park field. While she jokes that her leadership style may be “sandals instead of shoes,” she is committed to preserving and growing the organization’s role as a safety net for families.

Driving through Eugene on weekends, Stokes often sees fields filled with children and parents enjoying the game—a vivid reminder of why she believes youth sports are essential to the health and cohesion of the community.

Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.