DaytonDailyNews.com

She may not possess superpowers, but Therese Mangold is a supermom. The mild-mannered computer programmer has proven she has what it takes to raise four children to the top of their game.

Her eldest, Nick Mangold, 23, plays center in the NFL for the New York Jets, and Kelley, 19, a freshman at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, swims for the Division III school. Holley, 17, plays defensive guard for Alter High School's varsity football team and hurls shot put and discus for the track team. Maggey, 7, a second-grader at Incarnation School in Centerville, loves baseball, basketball and gymnastics.

"I'd like to know how some parents get their children to participate in the same sports," Therese said. "None of our kids are the same size. Kelley has a swimmer's body. Nick's body didn't dictate swimming."

With four active children, Therese and her husband, Vern, have put much of their personal lives on hold to be on the sidelines for their kids.

"You didn't have to look for them. You always knew they were there," Nick said.

Therese swam for Wright State University as a student. Vern is an industrial-robot consultant who says he wasn't a good enough athlete to draw the interest of a Division I school.

The parents view sports as a good way to teach children how to organize, meet and deal with people, stay fit and how to cope with losing.

Therese and Vern admit that there are times when they've overcommitted themselves.

"You have to live and learn and then figure out how to bring it in," Therese said.

In Therese's playbook, the key components to success are carpools, Crock-Pots, conflict management, commitment and care.

Carpools

"I would never have survived without carpools," Therese said. When her kids turned 16, they were encouraged to get their driver's licenses and take responsibility for getting themselves to practice.

Crock-Pots

Using Crock-Pots, preparing meals on weekends for the coming week and making larger dishes so there would be leftovers were strategies Therese used to ensure the family would be able to sit down to meals together, whether it was at 5:30 or 9:30 p.m.

"Occasionally I'd break down and get fast food, but not often," Therese said.

Conflict management

School work always comes first in the Mangold household. Another rule for dealing with schedule conflicts: Games take precedence over practice.

If there are two games scheduled at the same time, Therese and Vern go to different games, and when that isn't possible the deciding factor becomes level of play.

"When Nick was a senior at Ohio State, we went to all his games. We told Holley she'd get priority during her junior and senior year (at Alter)," Therese said.

Vern remembers watching Holly in a game in Cincinnati. As soon as the game was over he drove to Columbus to watch Nick. Vern ran all the way from his off-campus parking spot and made it just before the football stadium gates were closed to fans.

Commitment

A Mangold house rule is that once a child commits to a sport, they must participate to the end of the season. Sports are never subject to punitive actions.

"Our approach was not to take a sport away. Instead we took other privileges like a radio out of a room," Vern said.

Care

Kelley characterizes her mother as a comforting person who knows what to say and do whether her daughter does well or poorly.

"When I don't do well, she tells me that I have skills and I know how to do better next time. She puts it in perspective, that it's only one race," Kelley said.

Kelley still remembers a swim meet when she was 11 years old and barely finished her event. Therese was waiting with a towel and a snack.

"She was still proud of me and took me to lunch and shopping. She turned a long weekend into a bonding experience," Kelley said.

Jealousy

With Nick's success at Ohio State and now in the NFL, there's been plenty of publicity and chances, like in any family even without a sports star, to cause jealousy among siblings.

"We talk about it a lot and try to get the kids to express their feelings and to get over it," Therese said.

Rewards

Snacks and special treats are appreciated by athletes of any age. As for the parents, the time to be together as a family is priceless.

"I could have had more kids," Therese said. "I'm dreading the day when Maggey leaves home."

Advice from

Quote: "It's nice to have people watching and cheering for you."

Advice for sports parents: "Don't try to coach, that's what coaches are for."

Most Supportive Award: "They were always there and made sure I was where I needed to be — win or lose."

Kelley

Quote: "Be ready to listen, and be proud."

Advice for sports parents: "Don't talk about a practice or a meet until we're ready."

The Heart Award: "My mom put her full heart into it, no matter how I did."

Holley

Quote: "What makes a perfect parent is not having a perfect kid, but how you deal with their problems."

Advice for sports parents: "Try to be realistic. It's not fun to lose."

Bounce Back Award: "When something bad happens, they knew the right thing to do."

Maggey

Quote: "Having my parents there makes me feel like a real athlete."

Advice for sports parents: "Be good role models. Don't break the rules."

Good Sport Award: "My mom talks a lot about being a good sport."