Paige Sudlow & Madi Endicott

        Athletics are a big part of what gives Van Buren its identity. Many people in the community come out and support the student athletes at games, matches, and meets. Among the crowd is a person who does a lot more than spectate, and to many VB student athletes, she goes by the name of Mom.

        Mothers are the ones who have always been right there when needed, whether it be to kiss a boo boo or run a practice jersey up to the school. They’re the loudest in the stands (and sometimes the most embarrassing), but no matter what circumstance they just want to support their child and let them know how proud they are.

        Every mother wants to see her child succeed. Student athlete moms get to experience their child’s success on a daily basis.

        Shelly Fasone, mother of the three Fasone boys (junior Draeton, freshman Braxton, and eighth grader Khail), said that she loved “being there through every quarter, sharing every victory whether it’s a personal goal or a team win, seeing them grow in so many ways as they go through their sports experience.”

        Coreen Adolph, mother of junior Ross, freshman Riley, and VB alumni Ryan and Rachel, agreed. “[I enjoy] being able to watch them participate in something they love and also seeing the many friendships they develop throughout all their different sports.”

        Moms not only care about their children's success, but take personal joy and pride in their activities.

        Brenda Endicott, mom of VBHS athletes senior Madi, freshman Mitch and VB alumni Julia, shared that she loves to watch how the team interacts with each other and is glad to have her children be a part of it.

        Mrs. Fasone agreed. “It’s the best thing to see that pat on the back, hug, special hand shake; watching them work as a team and have fun doing it!”

        All three of these student athlete moms agreed that the most important lessons a sport can teach a child is how to work with others, and how to work harder when things get tough. They are glad their kids are involved in sports because they know that the lessons they learn from it will help them in all aspects of life.

        Mrs. Adolph’s children all currently participate in a sport either at Van Buren or in college and keep her, busy.

        “Luckily for me I'm at stay-at-home mom so I would be available at almost any time for the kids and their crazy schedules,” Mrs. Adolph stated about supporting them at their games.

        The selflessness moms of student athletes possess can be clearly seen in the sacrifices they make for their children. When they warm up a dinner plate for their child when they get home late from practice, or bring their athlete’s gym bag to the school that they forgot at home, or surprise their son or daughter with Subway for lunch, it is all done out of love.

        “And you can't forget about all the stinky laundry I get to do!” Mrs. Adolph added with a laugh.

        Mrs. Endicott and Mrs. Fasone are also homemakers for their families and both stressed that they make their kids top priority and strive to be their biggest fans.

        Though it’s easy to be their biggest fan through the good, moms continue to live up to the title through the bad, as well.

        Student athletes become stressed when they feel the pressure of having to perform to the best of their ability in both sports and school. Moms worry about their athletes because they want their kids to be able to have fun, as well as succeed in school and sports, and they understand the stress of trying to juggle all three aspects. They want their kids to know that it’s okay to struggle every once in awhile, though, and all they want to see is that their kids are doing the best they can.

        “Doing your best, that is something my husband and I have always took pride in. We want our kids to know that even though they may not be the best, as long as they’re trying and doing the best they can, that is all we can ask for,” Mrs. Endicott stated.

        Perhaps what’s even worse than the stress that comes with sports is the anger and frustration that student athletes experience in not being able to participate. Such occurrences may be due to sudden injury that results in an end to the season, and it’s their moms that help them get through it.

        Mrs. Fasone expressed the fear of trying to keep her kids healthy so they don’t suffer anymore injuries than they have already. The way she deals with the situation is explaining to her boys, “We can be a leader and example, not just on the field or court, but on the sideline or wherever we are. Don’t waste the opportunity that you could be given each day to influence or encourage someone through your injury. Find little victories in a day or a moment through your injury.”

        Mrs. Adolph also knows a thing or two about a season-ending injury as almost all of her kids have suffered some kind of nick or tear that has caused them to be unable to play at some point in their career. She stated that, “[Moms] are there to support them and let them know that unfortunately [an injury] is something they don't have control of, just like many other things in life they will encounter. [I tell them to] stay positive and follow the restrictions they are given so they can return when healed.”

        Moms can only be in one place at a time, and when there are multiple athletes in the family moms’ multitasking abilities are challenged. Not only are the student athletes learning the importance of teamwork, but so are the moms.

        Mrs. Endicott said that she and her husband “divide and conquer” when conflict occurs. They also make sure that both children know that they are supporting them even if they can’t be at a certain game.

        Mrs. Adolph explained the relationship that the parents of student athletes have. “Not only do the kids develop friendships through sports, but so do the parents and we all tend to help each other out.”

        There is a lot that goes into being a student athlete’s number one fan, and mothers are more than willing to “take one for the team” if it means making life a little easier for their student athletes. It’s the joy on their child’s face that will always keep these student athletes moms up and going!

        Catch the next issue of The Knight Writer to see what the student athletes have to say about their moms.