This is Part 2 of the interview with Husker baseball pitcher moms: Roxann Hohensee, Mary Howell, Susan Chesnut and Debbie Roeder. Check out part 1 here. A coworker drew this photo of the Husker pitchers and I got to interview their moms. On to the next round of questions with these great ladies.
Hohensee, Howell, Chestnut and Roeder as Mt Rushmore (photo Kelli Anne, artist anonymous)
What’s the BEST part about being a Husker baseball Mom?
Debbie Roeder – How excited he (Josh) gets when he does well. As a Mom you know how hard they’ve worked to get there and you are so proud when they get that smile on their face.
Mary Howell – Just all of it. The team, the atmosphere, watching him play, hanging with the families, being part of the Nebraska baseball family. It’s all great.
Roxann Hohensee – All of it. The love of the game. Watching him enjoy what he’s doing. Summer and baseball, it’s a great time. Watching the guys just play, it’s as simple as that.
Susan Chesnut – Seeing him doing what he loves. He’s worked so hard. He’s a walk on. There were a lot of times over the years he would be on the bench but he didn’t let it get to him. He kept working so hard and even through high school he was conscious of the fact it wasn’t going to be easy. He’s athletic and a really hard worker so it’s great watching him be “the guy.”
Let’s talk SUPERSTITIONS (theirs or their sons’)
Josh Roeder and his mother, Debbie Roeder (photo Kelli Anne)
Susan C – I don’t think I have any but I am still trying to get used to Jeff being called Jeff. I usually call him “J” or Jeffrey. As for his superstitions, Jeffrey tugs on his pants before he pitches and he wears his cross but he’s lost it a couple of times so I bought extras for him just in case.
Debbie R – For me it’s changed. I used to always wear a certain nail polish or maybe jewelry. Now it’s probably having a hot dog at the ballpark. I love the ones at Haymarket but it ruins you for other hotdogs at the other stadiums. For Josh, every time he comes in he high fives the guys and then kneels down behind the mound to say a prayer and clear his head.
Josh Roeder sleeping after a long day of baseball (photo Debbie Roeder)
Roxann H – For me I try and sit in the same seat at the ballpark and get there a couple hours early. Senior year and growing up, Jake would eat and share an orange with the baseball coach before every game. He would also throw a ball over the outfield wall before he pitched.
Mary H – I don’t know of any superstitions. I guess if I have to pick something it would be my Husker earrings that I wear. We moms try to find each other before the game, that might be one. It helps to calm each other down.
The Draft: Roeder is a senior, Chesnut and Howell are juniors so they are draft eligible as well. Hohensee is a sophomore but will be 21 so he can be drafted. We chatted about what happens next with the guys and maybe moving on to the next level. The moms’ first instinct is to have their sons graduate and get their degrees (it’s that Mama Bear thing again) But what if that call does come?
Susan C – It’s his choice of course, but I’d like him to stay focused on getting his degree in journalism. And if he goes, I told him it has to be either the Rockies, Royals, or Twins so I can still go to the games. (She was joking when she said this last part, but kind of not lol)
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Debbie R– Josh is used to moving around. Hel’s looking forward to getting a chance at the next level. Hopefully it’s somewhere I can catch some games.
Mary Howell – It just depends on the circumstances, but it’s up to him. He can always go back and finish school. I certainly wouldn’t mind him staying around for another year, but it’s ultimately up to him.
Roxann H – I don’t have any thoughts about it. I will support him in whatever he does. (and said with a smile) I will probably have a lot of thoughts if it happens though.
THE FACIAL HAIR
No, I didn’t forget to ask about it….I said, “ladies, what’s up with the facial hair?” Chesnut sports one of the BEST handlebar mustaches in the ballpark. Roeder’s beard has become somewhat of a trend all across ballparks. These two are coincidentally roommates in Lincoln and when they are on the road. This question made both Susan and Debbie laugh.
Jeff Chesnut and his mother, Susan Chesnut (photo Kelli Anne)
Debbie R rolled her eyes and said – Yes, that boy can grow some facial hair. I think he’s had a mustache since he was 9. They always have a lot of product and clippers with them when they’re on the road too. Last year it (the beard) was awful. I kept saying please shave it. Then he did and the fans were all over him about it. This year he’s keeping it in better shape. I think it only takes about 2 weeks to grow it full though (more giggles).
Susan C – I don’t know really what to say. At least hes doing it with style. Knowing Jeffrey, he probably spends more time making the mustache look perfect than he does on his hair and clothes. It’s probably best they are roommates so they aren’t shocked with a lot of stuff on the bathroom counter.
Jeff Chesnut as a young baseball player (photo Kelli Anne)
I had a wonderful time with these moms. They are GREAT ladies and it’s easy to understand why they have great sons. One unique similarity they all have is they all have to make eye contact with their sons once they’re inside the stadium. Not really during the game, but before it so the guys know their Moms are watching. I thought this was pretty cool.
Sometimes these moms are pacing. Sometimes they are holding their breath. But mostly, these moms are busy being proud of their boys and their accomplishments, like any Mom would be! A special thanks to all the ladies for sharing their stories and time. Wishing them and all the other Moms out there a very HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! (and GO BIG RED!!)