With Mother’s Day approaching, Northwestern athletic director Jason Zimmerman still appreciates and cherishes the sacrifices his late mother, Mary, made throughout his athletic career and the lives of his siblings.

“I always take a moment to thank her for everything she did to ensure my siblings and I had the opportunity and resources to become who we are now,” Zimmerman recalled. “All of the sacrifices she made, putting her life on hold to raise three children as a widowed mother, still amaze me.

“She made sure we were where we needed to be when we needed to be there, that we had any piece of equipment we needed, and, most importantly, instilled the work ethic and values in us to not only succeed in athletics, but also become adults who positively contribute to the community.”

Across the Times News coverage area, athletic directors, coaches and players will pause Sunday to remember how their mothers have touched their lives on and off the field and court.

For many involved in athletics, it will be a day to open a scrapbook or reflect on the countless memories and moments that remain tied to their mother’s unwavering support and guiding hand.

Through the years, mothers have often been recognized for their countless contributions.

Zimmerman always appreciated his mother’s dedication to keeping up with her children’s schedules.

“Mom never missed a game, and her children never missed a practice or contest,” Zimmerman added. “Our lives, especially her life, revolved around the sports schedule for that season. Family vacations were squeezed in whenever there was a break between seasons or when they wouldn’t interfere with summer baseball and softball, offseason weight training or summer league basketball commitments.”

Marian athletic director Billy O’Gurek has always admired his mother Siobhan’s loyalty and support throughout his years as a player, coach and administrator.

“My mom has been my biggest fan throughout my Little League and high school playing days and now again in my coaching career,” O’Gurek said.

“She never misses a game, no matter where we might be playing. She will do anything she can to help out, whether it’s sewing torn jerseys or helping work the concession stand at football camp. Getting to celebrate some big wins the last two seasons has been special, and hopefully we have more to come.”

Panther Valley head football coach Mark Lavine has fond memories of his late mother, Fran, whose own connection to sports helped shape the athletic futures of her children.

“My mom was a typical sports mom,” Lavine reflected. “All five of us played multiple sports, and she was at everything with my dad and was totally supportive at home.

“At home, she loved watching sports, and our meals revolved around watching games on TV. It was funny because she was the valedictorian of her high school class, but she told us she used to skip school to go to Detroit Tigers games. We are all huge sports fans today, and it’s obvious where it came from.”

Palmerton head tennis coach Jenn Danzeisen, who played softball and basketball growing up, said her parents were not athletes themselves. Instead, it was a cousin who was a tennis pro that introduced her to the sport.

Still, Danzeisen credits her mother, Antoinette Botch, for encouraging her to explore athletics.

“My mom always supported me by taking me to practices and showing up at my games,” Danzeisen recalled. “She wanted me to try everything. When I was about 10, I wanted to ski. She got me some rentals, took me to a ski resort and pushed me down the hill, hoping for the best. I’m Gen X — we learned the hard way. She’s always been supportive of me in that way.”

Northern Lehigh head girls basketball coach Brandon Hibbler has always appreciated his mother Shelia’s emphasis on strong values and character.

“My mom has helped shape me into the man I am today, along with my wife, who is the mother of our 2-year-old son,” Hibbler said. “My mom always taught me to have good morals and be true to yourself. Be where your feet are. I wouldn’t be the coach or father I am without her. Moms are the backbone. She supported me early on in my softball officiating career as well.”

Hibbler also remembers how his mother often served as a one-person support system.

“When I officiated my first EPC final in softball behind the plate at Pates Park in front of a sellout crowd of 1,500, she stayed neutral and cheered me on,” Hibbler said. “She had to stay calm while I got booed by both teams during the game.”

Pleasant Valley head girls soccer coach Tara Hyland also credited her mother, Kathy Dickson, for her unwavering support throughout her athletic career.

“Growing up, my mother supported every sport I played, and I played a lot,” Hyland said. “No matter the sport, she got me the gear, got me to practices and games, packed the snacks and cheered me on. I would never have been able to explore so many sports and learn so many life lessons without her. She was a trooper.

“When I wanted to play travel and club soccer, she made it happen. Skiing up and down the East Coast, done. From kindergarten through my college soccer career and now coaching, she has always been my biggest fan.”

Hyland said she eventually came to fully appreciate the commitment her mother made to support her passions.

“She made a financial and personal commitment to my passions, and I wouldn’t be the person or coach I am today without her,” Hyland acknowledged. “Growing up, I didn’t understand how much she did to shape my life through sports. But I’m thankful she did.”

Tamaqua head boys basketball coach Jim Barron shares a similar appreciation for the unwavering support of his mother, Eileen.

“My mom has shown up to absolutely every event I’ve been a part of, whether as a player or coach,” Barron said. “My dad was a football coach growing up, and my mom didn’t know much about basketball, but she’s been coming to my games for 35 years now. I’m pretty sure she still doesn’t know the rules.

“But the fact that she always showed up to every game and never let me miss practices taught me the dedication I needed to be successful.”

One of Barron’s most vivid memories came during his college career at Elizabethtown College.

“I remember there was a game my sophomore year at Elizabethtown,” Barron said. “We were playing in the Elite Eight with a chance to make the Final Four.

“My dad told me my mom was so nervous she sat in the hallway for the last 10 minutes of the game and had the security officer give her updates in the stairwell. I’m thankful for my mom and dad pushing me to reach my goals in high school and college.”

Northwestern head girls lacrosse coach Pam Colistra watched her mother, Patricia, turn lacrosse into a family tradition.

“As the second oldest of seven children — four girls followed by three boys — life was in constant motion with practices, games and overlapping schedules,” Colistra said. “A stay-at-home mom for almost 18 years, she made sure we had our homework done and our gear packed. Back then, we only needed a stick and a mouthguard before we loaded into our 11-passenger van and headed to practice.”

Colistra said her mother always found a way to embrace the hectic schedule that came with raising a large sports family.

“While others saw busy weekends and logistical challenges, my mom saw an opportunity to show up, support and love her children in the most powerful way possible — cheering on the sidelines,” Colistra added. “For as long as I can remember, she would bring us orange slices at halftime with a baby in the stroller and my little brothers and sisters running around with sticks in their hands.”

Like many of the mothers mentioned by her peers, Colistra’s mom helped instill the fundamentals that shaped both a coach and a person.

“Through my mom’s example, I learned what it truly means to commit, sacrifice and lead with heart,” Colistra said. “The lessons weren’t taught with a whistle or drawn up on a board — they were lived out in real time, every single day.”