Father’s Day is a time to reflect on how our dads helped shape our lives — especially through a shared love of sports. For me, it was how my dad took a daily, riveting interest in my Phillies fandom, and how he always made time to swim in the ocean with me.

On Sunday, we will celebrate Father’s Day. Dads across the country deserve recognition for their daily guidance and unwavering support. Many of us have lost our fathers, but the day often reignites a flood of memories — moments that weren’t always appreciated in real time but now resonate deeply.

Their role in our sports lives can evoke a wide range of emotions and situations.

Local high school coaches from various sports recalled how their fathers played pivotal roles in their athletic and coaching journeys. From home videos to game-day hot dogs and newspaper clippings, the memories run deep.

Lehighton head cross country and track coach Erica Pagotto has made the Boston Marathon a staple in her own running career the past four years, and her father, Dennis Briggs, has always been there to support — and film — her.

“My dad has always supported me in running (and still does), which later influenced me to coach cross country and track & field,” said Pagotto. “When I was in kindergarten, he would take me to a local track and let me run laps while he and my mom walked laps. Then throughout elementary school and up through high school, he would sign me up for races and film me running.”

Years later, that tradition continues.

“We still get a kick out of watching the home videos and all the races he filmed,” she added. “He supports me currently by taking off work and traveling to Boston with me to watch me race in the Boston Marathon. Still today, he’s out there with his camera documenting all my races during the year!”

Panther Valley head football coach Mark Lavine recalled the unwavering support of his late father, Art — and his reliable game-day dinner.

“I was very fortunate that my dad went to everything I did,” Lavine said. “We joked that he lived off getting ‘a hot dog at the game’ for dinner for years.”

Lavine, now a father himself, said he tries to model the same approach.

“Even when I got into coaching, he went to a ton of games and was very supportive of everything I did,” he added. “I took a lot of what he did with me with my kids ... let them play and not put any additional pressure on them. Whether they won or lost or how they played — it didn’t matter to him. He just enjoyed watching all of his kids play sports.”

Marian head football coach Billy O’Gurek has carried on the values and work ethic of his father, Bill Sr. — while also getting a front-row seat to his dad’s sports coverage.

“Some of my earliest memories are from traveling with my dad to different sporting events as a kid while he was covering them as a reporter for the Times News,” remembered O’Gurek. “We’d sit behind the scorer’s table at basketball games or stand at the top of the bleachers at football games, and I would call out the jersey numbers of rebounders or ball carriers as he recorded the stats.

“But the biggest influence my dad has had on me was watching his work ethic. Working two jobs after transitioning into government, he would be out the door by 4 a.m. every morning, working 12-plus hours. Every day he set the example for me and my sister on what it took to be professional, take responsibility for your obligations, and how to treat people with respect and care.”

Now as a head coach, he treasures the shared moments with his father.

“I try to pass on those ideals to my team now as a head coach, and it’s been neat to experience some things with him in the past year,” emphasized O’Gurek. “When we beat Minersville in OT, as our team finished going through the handshake line, I turned around to find he had gotten through the fence and was in the middle of the field jumping up and down celebrating. We hugged and celebrated together, and it was a neat moment to share with him and one that I’ll always remember.”

Like O’Gurek, Tamaqua head football coach Sam Bonner has cherished a lifelong football bond with his father, Mike. It has been a journey that began in modest proportions for the young Bonner.

“I was very fortunate to grow up with a dad who was a football coach,” said Bonner. “I remember being a manager probably as young as seven or eight years old when my dad was coaching at Northern Lehigh. Definitely taught me not only to love the sport but the camaraderie that was associated with it — not only with the players, but also with the coaches, and players and coaches.”

Bonner feels blessed for all of the experiences with his father.

“I’m very fortunate to have grown up in this atmosphere,” he said. “I am even more fortunate to have had the opportunity to coach the players at Tamaqua with my dad.”

Northwestern head football coach Josh Snyder credits his father, Gary, for shaping his mindset and instilling his core values.

“My dad was very instrumental in helping to instill values and mindset shaping my core beliefs into what they are today,” Snyder said. “He was very positive and uplifting throughout trials and tribulations in every aspect of life, and still is to this day with myself, my brother as well as now my kids as he is a heavily involved grandfather.”

Retiring Northern Lehigh athletic director Bryan Geist saw his father as a trailblazer. He also took some simple advice to heart, which has served him as a player, coach and administrator.

“My dad was a huge role model when I started playing baseball and golf,” Geist said. “I played baseball for a long time and truly enjoyed the game because I was around it with him throughout my life. When I was old enough, I started golfing with him and started to enjoy golf and played enough to get somewhat good at it. He taught me to have fun, compete and give 100 percent. Also learn to win and lose with dignity, and control what I can control.”

Tomorrow will be the 27th Father’s Day without my dad. But I know he’s still watching the Phillies — and swimming in the ocean he always loved.

Take a few moments to reflect on how your father influenced your life — especially your sports life.

Happy Father’s Day.