The Home Team Advantage

Here at the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Associationâ??s National Championships, proud mamas and papas are filling the stands to support their children.

From Southern California, New Orleans and Long Island, to right here in St. Louis, fans are gathering to cheer on their favorite team and players.

Tomy Ames is a goalie for the University of Missouri St. Louis and for the past 16-years his parents have enjoyed watching him play.

â??Tomy went back to get his Masterâ??s degree just so he could play roller hockey,â? Frank Ames said.  Ames, Tomyâ??s father, said, â??He canâ??t stand to just watch it, he has to be playing.â?

Traveling along with their son to places like North Carolina, Colorado, and even California, where their sonâ??s team won nationals, the Ames family lives, eats and breathes hockey.

â??Everywhere we go, you can see how passionate the guys are about the game,â? Martha Ames said.

For the Ames family, it is not only the excitement of watching their son that brings them out but the unexpected visitors that may also make an appearance.

â??We have had competitors come out and support our team and even paint themselves up in our colors,â? Frank said.  â??We also have fraternities from our school come out and watch us and they have a lot of fun.â?

As a mother, it is common to worry about your childâ??s safety when they are on the court. But Martha has formed her own strategy.

â??If my son is not worried about it, then Iâ??m not going to worry about it,â? Martha said.

Jason Shields was attending the University of New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. Since hockey was never really big in New Orleans, he decided to uproot and transfer to the University of Missouri St. Louis.  For his mother, Yvette Shields, the 10 hour drive from New Orleans was well worth it.

â??I love roller hockey and it is a passion of Jasonâ??s so it is a passion of mine,â? Yvette said.

For Jason, plans quickly changed when he arrived in Missouri.

â??I was only going to be here a semester and then return to New Orleans, but I have never been a part of the NCRHA and our school has a real good team,â? Jason said

For Cal Poly Pomona mom, Diana Margileth, traveling is never a hassle when it comes to her son.

â??My husband and I would go to support no matter where our son is playing,â? Diana said.

Dianaâ??s husband, Dave Margileth, has advice for all parents who have children participating in any extracurricular activities.

â??If one of your children is going to anything in nationals, you need to be there,â? Dave said.  â??Itâ??s important to support your children.â?

For Suffolk County Community College parent, Louise Baldwin, the reason behind traveling from Long Island with her child is simple to sum up.

â??Heâ??s my son,â? Baldwin said.