Lehigh University Athletics
Like mother, like son
10/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Lawrence Williams, a senior history major and defensive back for Lehigh’s Mountain Hawks, is no stranger to adversity.
As the second oldest of four children in a single-parent household, Williams had to assume the "man of the house" role to help his mother. At the age of eight, this daunting role was made even more challenging with the news that his mother was diagnosed with lupus, an incurable disease that affects the immune system and frequently leaves its victims susceptible to life-threatening diseases.
She hung on for years, but by the time Williams finished up his freshmen year at Lehigh, the disease had progressed to the point where the football star had to choose: either return home to help take care of his mother and raise his siblings, or complete the education he worked for all his life.
"Lawrence wasn’t sure if he could come back because he was so concerned about his mom," shared Pete Lembo, head football coach. "Through that time, we let him know how much we wanted him to stay and battle through the adversity, but we also understood that it was a tough family situation."
His coaches generously offered to support his decision either way, and that development alone convinced Anita that her son should stay. "She told me that the coaches’ support showed that I really belonged here," he said.
The challenge of balancing life in the classroom and on the field is one that every collegiate athlete has struggles with. "Football demands a lot from you – from practices, watching films, going over scouting reports, to treating your injuries," said Williams. "Being a student at Lehigh is also tough, staying up late to write your papers and studying; its challenging to balance both but you do it somehow. You have to get it done if you want to continue playing and to be successful in life."
Adds Lembo, "Like a lot of freshman, he had a transition his first semester but since then he has been very steady. I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of positive feedback from professors not only on the work he does, but on the contributions he makes in class through participation."
That hard work ethic also helped the Pa. native early on in life to eventually become a shining star on the Gettysburg High School football team where he caught the eye of college recruiters. An assistant coach named Pete Lembo — who would soon become head coach at Lehigh — recognized that the gifted athlete had the unusual combination of size and speed.
While at Lehigh, Williams’ stress level has hardly lessened. His mother was diagnosed with both sickle cell anemia and a brain tumor within the last four years.
Ask Williams how he manages to cope, and the soft-spoken football player just smiles.
"My mom doesn’t talk about it too much – she tries to keep it to herself," he says. "She doesn’t want me bothered and worrying about her on top of academics and football."
And throughout this trying experience, Lawrence is also comforted by the fact that his mother remains both strong and resolute. She still attends every game she can, and spends quality time with her granddaughter and Williams’ sister and two brothers.
Her strength is the trait he most cherishes about her, he says, and he’s learned a great deal from her struggle: Never take life for granted, do everything to the fullest and never forget about those that helped you along the way.
"It’s been a trying time for Lawrence," Lembo concedes. "But he’s coming through it with flying colors, and I think we’ve all become a lot closer as a result of it.
As the second oldest of four children in a single-parent household, Williams had to assume the "man of the house" role to help his mother. At the age of eight, this daunting role was made even more challenging with the news that his mother was diagnosed with lupus, an incurable disease that affects the immune system and frequently leaves its victims susceptible to life-threatening diseases.
She hung on for years, but by the time Williams finished up his freshmen year at Lehigh, the disease had progressed to the point where the football star had to choose: either return home to help take care of his mother and raise his siblings, or complete the education he worked for all his life.
"Lawrence wasn’t sure if he could come back because he was so concerned about his mom," shared Pete Lembo, head football coach. "Through that time, we let him know how much we wanted him to stay and battle through the adversity, but we also understood that it was a tough family situation."
His coaches generously offered to support his decision either way, and that development alone convinced Anita that her son should stay. "She told me that the coaches’ support showed that I really belonged here," he said.
The challenge of balancing life in the classroom and on the field is one that every collegiate athlete has struggles with. "Football demands a lot from you – from practices, watching films, going over scouting reports, to treating your injuries," said Williams. "Being a student at Lehigh is also tough, staying up late to write your papers and studying; its challenging to balance both but you do it somehow. You have to get it done if you want to continue playing and to be successful in life."
Adds Lembo, "Like a lot of freshman, he had a transition his first semester but since then he has been very steady. I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of positive feedback from professors not only on the work he does, but on the contributions he makes in class through participation."
That hard work ethic also helped the Pa. native early on in life to eventually become a shining star on the Gettysburg High School football team where he caught the eye of college recruiters. An assistant coach named Pete Lembo — who would soon become head coach at Lehigh — recognized that the gifted athlete had the unusual combination of size and speed.
While at Lehigh, Williams’ stress level has hardly lessened. His mother was diagnosed with both sickle cell anemia and a brain tumor within the last four years.
Ask Williams how he manages to cope, and the soft-spoken football player just smiles.
"My mom doesn’t talk about it too much – she tries to keep it to herself," he says. "She doesn’t want me bothered and worrying about her on top of academics and football."
And throughout this trying experience, Lawrence is also comforted by the fact that his mother remains both strong and resolute. She still attends every game she can, and spends quality time with her granddaughter and Williams’ sister and two brothers.
Her strength is the trait he most cherishes about her, he says, and he’s learned a great deal from her struggle: Never take life for granted, do everything to the fullest and never forget about those that helped you along the way.
"It’s been a trying time for Lawrence," Lembo concedes. "But he’s coming through it with flying colors, and I think we’ve all become a lot closer as a result of it.
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