Athletes Make The Best Moms

Hey there! I want to share a bit about my journey, which really took off back in middle school. I was that tall, skinny girl—5 to 8 inches taller than my friends—and a local coach saw something special in me. He went out of his way to connect with my mom at home and work, really advocating for me to get involved in sports. Thanks to his encouragement, I dove into volleyball, basketball, and gymnastics, all while dreaming of becoming a sports journalist someday.

But life has a funny way of changing our plans. When I became a young mom, my priorities shifted dramatically. Suddenly, raising my son took center stage. I juggled part-time jobs at a laundromat and a drug and alcohol clinic to make ends meet, which meant putting my sports dreams and journalism aspirations on hold. I found myself stepping into adulthood much sooner than I expected. But you know what? Those unexpected twists led to an 18-year journey in administrative, clerical, and secretarial roles in New York's healthcare industry.

Like many moms who started as young athletes during a time when women’s sports didn’t receive the recognition that I’m so happy to see now, I’ve realized just how vital our role is—not only as current and former athletes and fans but as moms who are the unsung heroes helping to develop the character and work ethic of your favorite athletes, whether locally or professionally.  

Moms aren’t just ATMs for leagues and training fees, chauffeurs for AAU games, cheerleaders in the stands, volunteers at tournament registration tables, or therapists guiding you through the launch of your first team, league, or sports facility business. Moms shape current and future families, businesses, and communities—the role models behind your favorite role models, preparing them for life within and beyond sports.

Fast forward to today, and I’m a proud mom of three amazing sons, aged 14 to 25, each with their own unique relationship with sports. I love traveling and volunteering with fellow parents, doing everything I can to support our kids and their friends in chasing their dreams. Together, we navigate the ups and downs of life—balancing family, school, and all the pressures that come with it—while trying to carve out meaningful paths for ourselves. A lot of us, myself included, weren’t fully aware of the wide array of career opportunities available, both in and out of sports.

Thanks to a series of life's unplanned twists, a whole lot of faith, and the unwavering support of friends and family, I am now living my teenage dream of working in sports and journalism while also helping athletes of all levels, ages, and professions build fulfilling careers and lives both in and outside of sports.

At the end of the day, we have to remember that we’re not just athletes; we are athletes. Our experiences, resilience, and drive continue to shape our own lives and the futures of those we care about. Thank you for being part of this journey with me!

Welcome to Athletes Make The Best!

Tenicka Chaney, Senior Director | Sports Power Infrastructure and Athletes Make The Best™