2013 marks the first year the women’s soccer program will be run by Coach Sturks.  Sturks is a native of Maine and started playing soccer when she was 5 years old, and continued playing on both school and recreational teams until she injured her right-knee while playing for Poland Regional High School (PRHS).  Before high school, in 1998, Sturks was recognized as a National Soccer Award Winner and received a USAA National Commemorative Certificate and was published in the United States Achievement Academy 1998 National Awards, Volume 147.   While at PRHS, Sturks was part of a unique academic/athletic setting: she and her fellow classmates were the first freshman’s to enter the doors in 1999 when PRHS first opened, which made her class the first 4-year graduating class in 2003.  As a freshman, Sturks played on the varsity soccer team and was recognized for her outstanding performance and teamwork skills.   Shortly after her team concluded its inaugural season in 1999, Sturks was recruited by Global Premier Soccer and offered an opportunity to study and play soccer in Europe; however, she declined the offer in hopes that it would come around again her sophomore year when she was a little older and more prepared to be so far away from family and friends.  Sturks continued on with her freshman year and made the varsity basketball team as a starter point-guard.  It went without question that Sturks’ goal of playing sports in college was looking promising until the unfortunate happened; while Sturks was playing one of her best basketball games ever against Freeport, ME she suffered a severe injury to her right-knee which led to five surgeries (performed throughout the rest of her high school years), and an end to her high school athletic career.  Although the injury prevented her from playing, it did not stop her from loving sports and being a part of the team; Sturks became the team manager for soccer, basketball, and softball at PRHS and continued to support her fellow teammates until her senior year.  Sturks’ other PRHS extra-curricular activities included: Class President (3-terms), Peer Mediation and Civil Rights Team, Big Brother-Big Sister program, local sports recreation coach, and National Honors Society. 

After graduating high school in 2003, Sturks attended the Dental Careers Institute in Westbrook, ME and became a certified dental assistant in 2004.  It did not take Sturks long to decide that a career in the dental field was not for her.  She decided that she wanted to peruse a career in the military, but she knew that in order to do so, she would have to fully rehabilitate her knee and be able to prove herself and stamina.  Sturks was determined to accomplish her goal and spent countless hours in the gym strengthening her knee.  On September 17, 2006, Sturks’ dedication paid off; she raised her right hand and swore herself into the U.S. Army as an active duty motor transport specialist.  After completing basic training and AIT she was stationed at Fort Hood, TX and assigned to the 3^rd Infantry Division.  Upon her arrival at Fort Hood, Heather quickly became involved with the athletic life; she joined the soccer and softball team on post, and trained for the Army 10-miler.  In July of 2008 Sturks deployed to Jalalabad, Afghanistan with her unit as a biometric administrator.  Shortly after returning home in July of 2009, Sturks’ knee was no longer meeting the Army standards and she underwent a medical evaluation.  On September 23, 2011, after a 2-year medical board battle, Sturks took a permanent medical retirement from the U.S. Army.  She is recognized for the following medals: Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Nato Afghanistan Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon.

When Sturks returned home from Afghanistan, she realized that she needed to find another way to stay involved with athletics other than by playing; her knee simply could not handle the endurances required for playing; however, it was strong enough for coaching.  In 2010, Sturks volunteered to coach a U12 co-ed soccer team at Belton Christian Youth Center.  She had 12 players on her team, 8 of which had never played before, and the team had never won more than two games in a season.  Sturks knew that she had her work cut out for her but she was determined.  Between her personal experience of being a player and understanding the rules and concepts of the game to inheriting leadership skills in the Army, being a coach came natural to Sturks.  She quickly gained the respect from her players, parents, league, and community.  That season her team came in second place.  In 2011, Sturks was asked to coach the team again, and without hesitation she accepted; the team placed second after a losing by 1 in OT.  Sturks was awarded Coach of the Year by the city of Belton in Texas. 

In September of 2011, Sturks moved back to Maine to be with her family and to focus on her education.  She set a long-term goal of earning her BA in physical education with a minor in outdoor recreation and a minor in athletic coaching.  She enrolled in General Studies at Central Maine Community College (CM) in January of 2012 and graduated with President’s Honors in May of 2013.  While a CMCC student, Sturks served as the president for Alpha Phi Xi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (National Honors Society); was a member of both the outdoor and veterans club; played on the softball team; maintained a GPA of 3.8-3.9; was selected to attended the State of Maine Community College Legislative Address; and volunteered for several college events such as: transfer fairs, students activities week, and open house.  Sturks received elite awards while at CM which include: 2013 Student Veteran of the Year; was a nominee for 2013 Student of the Year; YSCC Acadmeic All-Conference Team member; and a USCAA Academic All-American.  She is currently deciding on what university she would like to attend so she can finish her academic goals. 

Sturks looks forward to staying involved with the CMCC community and coaching the women’s soccer team.  Through her experience of being an athlete, a soldier in the U.S. Army, a youth soccer coach, and CM alumni, Sturks is confident that she will excel as a coach this season and lead the lady Mustangs to victory.