The Meaning of Mother’s Day

Micki Collins

Working in collegiate athletics while simultaneously being a mom is not for the faint of heart.  People sometimes ask me how I get everything done.  It’s simple...I don’t and I don’t pretend to.  I had to learn to be okay with that. But once I allowed myself this grace and decided to do what was “the best I could do for that particualr day,” I became a much better mom and athletic trainer.

DD Breaux

The most important part of my journey through my life to where I am now is “roots”.  Never have I wavered from the foundation and principles that grounded my upbringing.  I know exactly where I am from and how I got to where I am today.  Having the opportunity to share my work experiences with my family was critical to me.  My two daughters grew up in the gym and the halls of our offices.  When I could not find them, it was a quick walk down the hall and they were sitting on Sun Gunter’s desk laughing and eating whatever candy she had to offer.  As time passed Sara had nicknames for everyone ….Fran was “Franny Pants”!  Let us never lose site that this job, this coaching job has to be shared with our real family so that our LSU family can truly bond and be committed to each other and “OUR” University.   I think the one word that best describes being a “coachmom” is Consistency.

Consistency Counts… Consistency in loving, working, sharing, communicating and laughing.  Consistency is the glue that holds it all together.   Being a Coach has been a Calling, being a mom is a Blessing.

Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen

Motherhood is an incredible gift that has provided me with ultimate happiness and a deeper meaning to life. It’s loving a soul before you ever meet him and having a connection to a human being that is unlike any other relationship you’ve ever had. It’s listening, laughing, and demanding, sometimes in the same breath. It can take you on a journey filled with worry, stress, and fear but also joy, strength, and hope. Being a mom is building self-esteem, loving unconditionally, and supporting every journey, no matter the destination. It’s serving as a protector, teacher, and role model. Every day I’m given the opportunity to instill values and beliefs in my children in hopes that they will one day feel empowered to effectuate positive change. I strive daily to show generosity, compassion, and grace in my quest to becoming a better human being, not only for myself, but for them. I never knew a love like this existed and that love grows continuously. Every day is an adventure and being a mom is the best thing I have ever become.

Melissa Seal

Becoming a mother broadened my perspective as a strength and conditioning coach. I remember attending a conference when I was pregnant and listening to a well-respected female coach tell her story about motherhood and coaching. She recalled the moment she realized she was wrong for berating a student-athlete… it dawned on her this was somebody’s child and she would never want someone to speak to her own child in that manner. Months later I would discover the feeling she described as I soon began to see everyone as somebody’s special little one. I became better at lifting people up and connecting with others because I no longer saw them as just adults but also as someone’s precious child, still learning how to get along in this world, regardless of their age.

Amanda Barbee-Paar

Since I have a one year old little boy, learning how to not get peed on is definitely a new talent I am still trying to master.  Although I had to watch his first steps on the road from a video from my husband, he is definitely making up for it now. He walks everywhere like a TRex and he has a sixth sense of where any set of stairs are and challenges me daily to chase him up and down. It is truly amazing to see his development over this past year.  He just intentionally started giving hugs on his own and his open mouth kisses are very similar to the way Great Dane slobbers. It really is an amazing feeling watching him grow and really start to understand this part of his life.

Lois Stuckey

Being a Mom has been a roller coaster ride that is for sure.  But, now that I get to ride with my hands up in the air it is even more fun.  To all the Mom’s with young children, hang in there because you will get your life back.  Jeremy is 27 and Chase is 22 and we have a blast hanging out and doing things together now that they are grown up.  I was very fortunate that they were able to enjoy my football world to grow up in.  They have many memories of “hanging out” with their football friends.  My work life has also allowed me to be a work Mom as well to lots…….lots……of boys!  People that know me, know that they are my “babies” and it is so much fun watching them grow up as well.  Most of you already know what it is like to take in baby Tigers every year and help them through the growing pains of being a college student athlete.  Those are experiences that I wouldn’t trade for all the gold in the world.  My one piece of advice that I have for every mom is to make sure that you get in front of the camera with your kids as much as you can and less time behind the camera.  I am so blessed and God has given me so much grace to be a Mom!  Thankful!

Shaeeta Williams

Dear God, Thank you for blessing and trusting me to be the mother to such an amazing gift. Parenting is an awesome yet challenging responsibility, and I need your help. I know He is Yours, and I am overwhelmingly grateful for Your love and kindness toward me. Since my child’s birth, my life has never been the same. Thank you! ~Amen

Shelly Mullenix

I was recently sent a list of “professional goals & expectations” that I wrote as part of my student evaluation done in 1991. I mentioned that my 10-year plan was to be out of Athletic Training and working in a Physical Therapy office so that I can be in a 9-5 job and raising a family. I would have never expected to see myself 30 years later with 20 year-old twin daughters and still working in collegaite athletics! It has been full of challenges, strategic moves, and the support of so many that has allowed me to fulfill my roles of being in a highly demanding profession while simultaneously being the best mom that I can be. My girls literally grew up in the athletic training room and got to experience a side of the business that others would have loved to experience. In reflection, it involved absence, sacrifice, and a modification of lifestyle. But my hope is that it showed them that females can work and succeed in any environment, they can be treated with respect by men & women in power, and that persistence and hardwork pay off. I don’t tend to celebrate holidays like Mother’s Day but I do believe that my girls are my greatest gifts.

Pauline Zernott

Being a mom is wonderful in so many ways!  When my son, Colby was placed in my arms nearly 19 years ago, it was one of my most proud moments.  6 years later when Caroline came along, I felt beyond blessed.  Being a surrogate mom to all of the Spirit Squad members I have coached has also been very rewarding.  I know being away from home for many of them is hard and I am so happy I can be there for them.  The best part is getting a note from one of them from time to time!  Knowing that I have been a part of their lives in a special way is worth the sacrifices. 

Beth Torina

Moms that coach and all working moms have to make a lot of sacrifices. It’s easy to feel guilty about not being present at times, but as soon as I see my girls cheering on the Tigers, hugging our players and witnessing so many strong female role models - I know the benefits surely outweigh any negatives!  I am so thankful for all the incredible opportunities afforded to them and for the village that is helping to raise three strong girls!

Ya’el Lofton

Being a mom of two older daughters (Christen 30, Jordyn 22) I have realized how important the younger years were.  When both my girls were born, we dedicated them to God and promised to raise them according to His teachings.  The “growing pains” and trials we went through seemed so consuming at times, but the end result was truly worth it.  It gives me such great joy to witness my girls in their adult life.  I am truly blessed.

Fran Flory

Being a Mom is the biggest responsibility and best job in the world.  When you hold your child for the first time, the enormity of the moment and the joy of everything you have wished for, collide to create something that cannot be replicated or explained, it can only be felt in that moment.  I absolutely LOVE being a Mom!  Balancing being a Mom with working in athletics is a real challenge, but one that has had huge benefits for our children.  I have sacrificed a lot from both sides of the spectrum, but I believe through those sacrifices, my children and family have gained so much more.  The only advice I would share is, “Try to be present, wherever you are, at the moment” . As Mom’s, we are not supposed to be perfect and we never will be, but we are expected to love and care for children, those who we are fortunate enough to call our own and those we coach as members of our team.  There is nothing more important in life!    

Mallory Mickus

Motherhood has brought me such joy. Asher is a daily reminder to stay present and live simply.

Christine Sotile

“Being a mother has been a master class in letting go. Try as we might, there’s only so much we can control. And, boy, have I tried - especially at first. As mothers, we just don’t want anything or anyone to hurt our babies.” -Michelle Obama

Taylor Jacobs

When I was younger, people would ask me what my goals in life were.  To a ten year old, it was simple: I wanted to be like my mom.  She raised me to be tough, but to have a gentle heart.  She taught me to fight for what I believed in, but to always hear the other side of the story.  She showed me that having a competitive spirit was something that could be found in everyone, not just the boys.  I will forever hear (in her country accent), “let’s go Tay!” in my head and I’ll forever be proud to say, “yep, that’s my momma.”

Fast forward to my life now in my new role: a working mom.  I cried my first day back at work because I felt guilty leaving Miles at home.  Day two, I called the house every hour to make sure he was okay.  Days three, four and five all got easier, and now almost nine months in, I am incredibly proud of where I am in this journey.  I used to be fearful that returning to work would make me less of a mom, but thankfully, I have found so much grace in this journey and I honestly love it.  I’ve learned that my time at work is more than just time away from him, but instead it is time I am choosing to sacrifice in order to give him more.  It has not been the easiest nine months and I have already had several “oh no, daycare is calling” moments.  But last week we brought him to his first baseball game and to see his excitement and watch him clap along with the other fans…it makes it all worth it.

Truthfully, I cannot wait for more of those moments.  I cannot wait to watch him grow in his own journey, choosing his own adventures.  I cannot wait to be his cheerleader in whatever it is he chooses to do.  I want him to know that I work hard because I love him and I pray that he will be proud of that.  Honestly, I am encouraged to keep going because I want to be someone that my son looks at and proudly says, “that’s my momma.” 

Stephanie Rempe

What it means to be a mom…

Like every mom – being one is the most important responsibility we have on earth. There is no time I enjoy more than time with my kids. I continue to be amazed by their resilience and how they see things new every day. My job is to continuously work to demonstrate unconditional love and encourage their belief in themselves; to set an example, celebrate their successes, comfort their heartache and answer their questions; and to support their efforts to be the best version of themselves!