By Thomas Sellers Jr.
Teena and Robin Jacobs
Mother’s Day 2017 has come and gone. And many women spent part of their weekend watching their children on the diamond. For the “Mother of Brighton Softball,” Teena Jacobs the last time her biological child suited up for the hometown Lady Cardinals was in 2011 with daughter Caroline. Before CJ took to the field to play for her father Robin, big sister Emily was a standout for Brighton in the late 1990s. There for it all was Teena. Tena is still the Team Mom doing the behind the scene things to help the program run smooth. She is the biggest cheerleader for the girls and especially the coaching staff composed of Robin, Emily and Caroline. “I just want to be here to support them,” she said. “I don’t need the recognition. I just love the game and watching them doing what they love.” Tena had a love of all sports growing up in Dyersburg. But in the late 1970s the options for girls were limited. Teena and her peers had to settle for just playing basketball. “Our mindset was, ‘We were good,’” Teena recalled. “We wanted to prove we could play. We grew up around football, baseball and volleyball. But they only allowed us to play basketball before Title IX.” Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Teena graduated from Dyersburg High School in 1979 when Title IX was starting to take shape across the country. Tena and her group just missed the overhaul of change in women’s athletics. Teena’s sports memories at DHS centered around basketball played 3 on 3 with two simultaneous half-court games going on. She was a guard playing defense. She did manage to leave the DHS campus with her sweetheart Robin. In 1981 Emily was born and the couple decided to focus on her development and be dedicated to educating other youth. Robin and Tena helped open the new Brighton High School in 1996. And Teena was ready to see her daughter take full advantage of opportunities that escaped her during high school. Once Emily healed from her ACL tear her freshman year, she became a standout in basketball, volleyball and softball. About 10 years later it was Caroline’s turn to shine in all three sports at Brighton even wearing the No. 21 in basketball, the same as her mother. “I’m not really a pioneer,” Teena said. “We just wanted to play. To see the girls of today is special. And I’m proud Robin has a part in helping so many including our girls.” For several years Tena was just the wife of Brighton’s softball coach. Three years ago she added wife of the Brighton Football head coach. Robin took over the job and endured a tough first season. “She coaches me,” he said. “She’s my coach more than you think. The best advice she gave me, ‘Get your butt up and go. Quit pouting about it and go.’ It’s good advice.” Those words motivated Jacobs and staff to turnaround the football program to a 9-1 season in year two. This past season the Cardinals hosted another playoff game finishing second in the league. “He really gets disappointed,” Teena said. “But I know he’s going to get it the next time.” Teena has always been by her husband’s side to support him through the championships and the subpar seasons. But it was about 10 years ago she faced her most emotional task of being by Robin’s side. The veteran Coach faced death after his gallbladder ruptured. Robin missed time from school and the field. Nursing him back to health and keeping him posted on the softball team was Teena. It was Teena who finally willed and wheeled her husband back to the field that year. “It was tough seeing him like that because he’s so strong,” Teena recalled. “I knew he would come back. But that was a struggle.” Robin said the woman he loves and calls Tee was his source of inspiration during his recovery. “She’s always there, my backbone,” he said. “She’s the most important part of this whole thing.” Softball is the Jacobs family thing. Robin, Emily and Caroline have several awards, plaques, honors and recognitions because of the game. All three point to one woman as their biggest supporter, cheerleader, inspiration, motivator and coach.
“I don’t want any trophies,” Teena concluded. “I’m just happy to be out here. My trophies are them and cheering on those three.”
