Here's Paula's nomination!

Paula Broadbent, mother of four, has been actively involved in wrestling for the past 15 years. When not working at her family-owned business (Performance Glass), she is volunteering her time for numerous extra-curricular activities. Paula has been the lynchpin for the Mill Valley Wrestling Club since its inception in 2000, and she continues to find time to volunteer her services for the advancement of the sport of wrestling. Her selfless and altruistic approach to our sport and our children make her more than deserving of the title “Mother of the Year.”

Paula became involved in wrestling when her son Justin was in first grade. She began volunteering her time when Justin was wrestling for Dean Sheets in DeSoto. She then moved on to helping Kevin Klemm and the East Kansas Wrestling Club. In the year 2000 she and her husband Jeff Broadbent founded the Mill Valley Wrestling Club in Shawnee, Kansas. In the 8 short years since the MVWC was established, the club has grown from 50 to 112 wrestlers.

All of Paula’s four children have been extensively involved in wrestling. Justin placed at Kansas Kids State numerous times, with his highest place being 3rd. He was also a 2-time high school state finalist, earning a trip to senior nationals in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. One daughter, Julie, wrestled for 4 years and was a match away from qualifying for Kids State in her final season. Her other Daughter, Jamie, has been a wrestling manager at Mill Valley High School for two years. Her youngest son, Jake, wrestled for two years before taking up basketball. Paula and all four children can be seen on the weekends volunteering their time at many different tournaments around the Metro area.

Paula is in charge of all administrative work for the Mill Valley Wrestling Club. All paperwork, tournament entries, budgeting, and fees are handled by Paula. She is also in charge of singlet and apparel checkout and orders, and is very much in charge of orchestrating all of the volunteers at the Mill Valley Invitational Tournament. Paula truly is the wizard behind the curtain: without her the Mill Valley Wrestling Club would not be where it is today.

If you are looking for Paula, she’s not hard to find. Every year she is working the tables at the sub-district, district, and Kids State tournaments. Paula’s work is not confined to the sport of wrestling, however. She doesn’t take off her “mom of the year” hat when wrestling season is complete. Paula is also asked to be the team mother during both football and baseball season as well.

Without Paula’s help, the Mill Valley Wrestling Club would not be what it has become. Every year Paula finds ways to motivate her family, which not only includes her husband and four children, but all 112 wrestlers and their families associated with our program. Because of her selfless attitude and her dedication to the sport of wrestling, we believe that Paula Broadbent is most deserving of the “Mother of the Year” honor.


Damon Parker
Head Coach, Mill Valley Wrestling Club