Mother's Day is a welcomed respite for supermoms like Rockdale school counselor Cussandra Martin who spends countless hours supporting her two children through sports.

Before her son John Martin II, graduated from high school last year, she sometimes found herself showing up to watch him play the first few innings of a baseball game, before jetting off to cheer on his younger sister Kristin in a game of soccer.

"It definitely was a sacrifice," she said. "But, their dad and I always said that whenever we had children, we were going to do whatever we could do to support them in whatever they wanted to do."

Martin's support of her children, both in academics and sports, is so strong that even when John began his collegiate baseball season at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs last fall, she hit the road.

In classic Martin-family style she, her husband - a middle school assistant principal - and their daughter made the 1.5 hour trip to see John in nearly all of his home games and most of the away ones.

"These opportunities don't happen often and we need to enjoy them while we can, including while they're in college," Martin said.

Another highly supportive, working mom is Tesa Betts and she's equally committed to her son's sports endeavors.
Chadrick "CJ" Betts Jr. is a well-rounded, 8-year-old athlete with a healthy appetite for competition.

Already, his natural abilities have led him to excel in baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and now swimming. While his mom is adamant about classroom achievement, she also values the role of organized sports.

"Yes, being the proverbial soccer mom can be taxing at times," Betts said. "Yet, when I see the sense of accomplishment on CJ's face after he makes a goal or scores in some way, or when he pushes beyond what he thought he could do, it makes it all worth it.

"My mantra to him is that he can do and be whatever he aspires to be. Involvement in sports is just part of that foundation."

Mother of three Dani Lunan also recognizes the emotional aspect of supporting her athletically involved children.

"For starters, I back my children in their sports involvements, because it’s important for them to know that I’m interested in what they’re interested in doing," Lunan said.

"And, it’s important not only for our kids, but for other kids whose parents who can’t make it for practices and games."

In fact, Lunan and another mom formed a supportive partnership while their middle school daughters ran on their middle school track team this past spring.

Lunan explains that the mother endured a rather long commute, which often prevented her from being able to drop off or pick up her child from sporting events. The pair of moms forged a bond that enabled them both to benefit from switching off on the responsibility of ensuring their daughters’ track participation.

"It takes everybody to make it work," Lunan said.

Betts, Martin and Lunan all are representative of the millions of moms who endure stress, scheduling challenges and loving sacrifice to meet the needs of their athletic children. And, while they each acknowledge the role of their husbands in ensuring their children succeed on and off the field — on this Mother’s Day, the spotlight and gratitude are reserved solely for them.

Go, Team Moms!