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August 25, 2010

People behind the athletes

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


A lot of people contribute to the success of a high school athlete. Certainly, the athlete is the major contributor. The dedication he or she shows to working out, developing skills and even proper nutrition will have a major impact on that success.

There is also the coach, the trainer and others who take an active role in the athlete’s progress.

Too often, we forget some special people behind the scenes – the parents. Especially the mothers, who frequently take responsibility for getting the young athletes to practices and games and make sure they are prepared and fully equipped.

Two of those special women died within the past month.

Veronica “Ronnie” Fisher provided that support to her son, Bill, who was selected as the Ocean City High School Basketball Player of the Century. When he graduated from OCHS he held the single-season and career scoring records and was the first player to ever average more than 20 points a game in two different seasons. He went on to success at Mississippi State University and became president of his own company in Indiana. His mother was a registered nurse and caretaker before retiring. Bill’s parents were great supporters, encouraging him every step of the way and making a major contribution to his success.

The same is true of Jane Lombardi, who had direct contact with many OCHS athletes as a teacher in the school system. She was part of the first graduating class at Richard Stockton College. Her son, Mike, played football and baseball at OCHS before graduating from Valley Forge Military Academy. He is currently an analyst for the NFL Network and writes football columns for NFL.com. Jane’s grandson, Matt Lombardi, was a Cape-Atlantic League all-conference golfer and shared the starting quarterback position with Chris Curran in football. Matt was selected to the OCHS First Decade All Stars in golf. And her husband, Mike Sr. – he is one of South Jersey’s greatest Yankees fans.

Ronnie Fisher and Jane Lombardi were two of many women who provide the support and encouragement that help turn eager young competitors into successful high school and college athletes. We offer condolences to the extended Fisher and Lombardi families.


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