Usually each year when Mother’s Day rolls around, the spring sports season is right at its peak.
So what better way to ring in Mother’s Day than to recognize one of the diocese’s longstanding sports moms?
Liz Wiatre knows what it takes to be a sports mom, having raised four children – all of whom excelled in whichever sport they played. She was always there to show her support, no matter who had a game or where.
Her passion for sports was developed at a young age, when she followed her father’s lead and became a New York Mets fan when the team was formed in 1962. Growing up, she played intramural basketball while in junior high school at St. Saviour’s, Park Slope.
Aside from just playing though, her love of sports was enhanced as she cheered on her children as they played. The Wiatre family split its time between St. Thomas Aquinas, Flatlands, and Our Lady Help of Christians, Midwood, with the children’s Catholic Youth Organization sports coming mostly at St. Thomas.
As an experienced sports mom, Liz knows the secret to making sure her children were always aware of her support.
“Honestly it takes complete family sacrifice and dedication and everyone loving to support their family member,” Liz said. “That’s how it was in our house, so much so that as the kids grew up, we would take neighbors to the games. We would have multiple kids with us at all times. It was a really nice experience.”
Along with her husband Fred of nearly 42 years – who is a retired New York City fire captain – Liz was always ready for the next game, whether it be having the uniforms laid out or a refreshing drink or snack ready to go. It’s no doubt that this support helped her children flourish athletically.
“Personally I think sports is very important in a young person’s life,” Liz said. “It makes a difference; it makes you stronger.”
Her oldest son Dan played football – with Fred serving as an assistant coach – basketball and baseball at Nazareth H.S., East Flatbush, before playing basketball at Concordia College, Bronxville, and Adelphi University, Garden City. He is currently the boys’ varsity basketball coach and co-athletic director at St. Edmund Prep H.S., Sheepshead Bay.
Liz’s son Mike was also a sports star in football and basketball at Nazareth and currently a member of the NYPD. His basketball career eventually led him to South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, S.C., where he played in the NCAA Tournament in 2000, with Liz in the stands, of course.
Denise Wiatre graduated as salutatorian from Stella Maris H.S., Rockaway Park, and while there played volleyball, basketball and softball. She continued on to Cabrini College, Radnor, Pa., and Pace University, Pleasantville, N.Y. She is currently an accountant.
Liz’s youngest son Rob is a N.Y.S. court officer and a recent inductee into the St. Edmund Prep Athletic Hall of Fame. He starred for the Eagles’ basketball and baseball teams, graduated as valedictorian and went on to play basketball at St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights.
No matter who had a game, Liz and Fred always made it a point to be present. There were even times when they would leave St. Edmund’s on a Friday night after Rob’s basketball triple-header and travel all the way to South Carolina to see Mike play in his Saturday college game. Now that is dedication!
“My mom has become known throughout the diocese for her support of us and our teams,” Dan said. “She has been at almost every single game each of us played.”
Just because her children are now grown hasn’t stopped Liz from still supporting them athletically. She was a regular at St. Edmund’s while Dan coached his basketball team, and she’s looking forward to watching Rob play softball in Marine Park throughout the spring.
“I’m so proud of all of them and what they’ve done with their lives to this point and will continue to be proud of them,” Liz said. “It really touches my heart that I was able to care for them and hope for many years to continue more.”
Sports will continue to be part of the Wiatre family. Fred still coaches youth football for the Richmond Plainsmen, and now, Denise’s four-year-old son “Little” Danny is starting to play sports, meaning Liz will remain in the fold as not only an expert sports mom but also a “grand” sports mom.
She had certainly done a grand job in providing a nurturing experience to her children, all of whom would agree that their athletic careers were enhanced due to the presence of both of their parents.
So on this Mother’s Day, when we celebrate the impact of moms and sports moms alike, it would be no surprise to find Liz set up at a field somewhere in the city cheering on one or more of her children as they play sports.
Once a sports mom, always a sports mom, and Liz is among the very best!
Contact Jim Mancari via email at jmmanc@gmail.com.