Nathan Fears left Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Friday morning for a business meeting in Atlanta. Later that day, he flew home to the Twin Cities, and today, he will be in his familiar spot with the rest of Minnesota Duluth's football parents in the stands at Malosky Stadium.
That pattern has repeated itself frequently during the four-year career of UMD middle linebacker Nate Fears, Nathan's son. While work as a hospital consultant takes Nathan across the U.S., he has missed only two of his son's college games. His wife, Barb, hasn't missed any and has served as the team's unofficial photographer.
Together, the Fears are the epitome of what college sports parents can be, according to UMD coach Bubba Schweigert.
"I've been really happy with a number of our parents, but those are two that definitely come to mind," Schweigert said. "I think it's great to have parents who are involved and supportive because there are going to be good times and there are going to be tough times. College is quite an adjustment. Guys are going through some changes in their lives and there are a lot of challenges, and to have loving, supportive parents helps young men get through that transition. They're a great example of that."
Playing linebacker was a natural position for Nate; his father also played at that spot. Nathan played at Arizona and even had a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers before knee injuries derailed his career.
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Nate -- who is the fifth straight Nathan Fears in the family line -- has not experienced those problems. After redshirting his first year, the former multisport standout from Richfield, Minn., has started at linebacker in all but one game the last four seasons, missing only the last game of his freshman year due to a minor knee injury. He is known as one of UMD's most durable and consistent performers. This season he is fourth on the team with 36 tackles.
"So far, so good," Fears said while knocking on wood. "I've been really lucky, and luck is all it is, because you know football: One play and you can be done, but thank God I haven't been seriously hurt."
Documenting all the highs and lows for UMD's players and parents is Barb Fears, a former photography store manager who has applied what she learned in the business to a lifetime of shooting her son's football, basketball and hockey games.
Barb estimates she has shot roughly 8,000 photos during her son's college career alone. She used to post the photos on a UMD parents' Web site, but now she contributes to coachlongofootball.com, a site started by UMD offensive coordinator Phil Longo. Barb's brother, Mark Kelly, along with Dale Wysocki, father of UMD freshman Steve Wysocki, also shoot UMD games.
Barb said being close to the action, with her son right there in the middle of it, is just a bonus.
"People ask me if shooting photos takes away from the games, but I think it adds to it. This is my passion," Barb Fears said. "There isn't a place I'd want to be on a Saturday afternoon [other] than on the sideline. We're capturing these players' memories in pictures, and that's something they will be able to take with them and remember the rest of their lives. When you can do that, it makes it all worth it."
JON NOWACKI covers college sports and motor sports. He can be reached weeknights at (218) 723-5305 or by e-mail at jnowacki@duluthnews.com .
