For Megan Lawson, who has two sons that play Division I college football and another son with aspirations of playing Division I lacrosse, athleticism just runs in the genes.
Her eldest son Lawson is a sophomore linebacker at Georgia Tech, her middle child Marshall is a true freshman tight end at Alabama and the youngest Kane is a high school sophomore lacrosse midfielder and football player at Salisbury School, an elite all-boys Connecticut boarding school.
Their last name is Pritchett, the surname of their father Wesley Pritchett, who starred at Notre Dame under legendary coach Lou Holtz and later played inside linebacker in the NFL for three seasons. The all-American linebacker was the leading tackler for the Fighting Irish team that won the 1988 National Championship. Additionally, their late grandfather played football at Georgia. “You could say it might be in their DNA,” quipped Megan, who played field hockey and lacrosse growing up.
A towering 6-foot-6, one of Marshall’s first goals at Alabama involved increasing his weight to 250 pounds. Marshall played lacrosse in high school too, though he ultimately prioritized football. Lawson, who received several D-I lacrosse offers but also chose football, is 6-foot- 3, 225 pounds. So, you may be wondering: What were those grocery bills like in high school? “It was actually really crazy,” Megan recounted. “I was always trying to keep enough food on hand that was high in calories.”
Mix in a hectic travel schedule filled with games and tournaments and you begin to grasp the parental dedication involved.
Somehow Megan managed it all as a single mother while balancing a full-time job as the owner of Cannon Street Apothecary, a wellness products business. She recalled countless occasions when they would drive up to Charlotte or Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for one day. “It was really challenging. But those are our fondest memories.”
All her sons initially attended Porter-Gaud, but Lawson and Marshall finished high school at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Rabun Gap, Georgia, where they won a football state championship. The family credits Rabun Gap coach Derek White with helping them get where they are today. “He said, ‘I will build it if you come,’” recollected Megan. “They went. That was it. So, I did my part. But he took over. Just very grateful to him.”
Kane, the ‘smallest’ of the brothers at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, started at Porter-Gaud, then spent time at Lucy Beckham before committing to Salisbury School.
Megan expressed tremendous respect for her parental peers with children in college athletics. “I look around and see they sacrificed – the collective sacrifice. It’s not just about the players.”
However, she emphasized that the life of a student-athlete isn’t for the faint of heart. You attend school all day, travel to a game, play a game, then sometimes get home around 1 a.m. “That shows the work ethic,” she stated.
Despite his athletic commitments, Lawson made the academic honor roll at Georgia Tech. “That makes me very proud as a parent,” beamed Megan.
When their respective coaches ask their teams, ‘Why do you do this,’ Lawson and Marshall always say it’s because of their mom. “I love that,” gushed Megan.
MOTHER & SON HOOP DREAMS
Speaking of athleticism running in the genes, ESPN college basketball announcer and former North Carolina State basketball standout Debbie Antonelli’s son Patrick is a college basketball point guard who played for his dream school Louisville during the 2024- 25 season. He previously spent four seasons at Emory & Henry University and now plays for Division II Francis Marion University. Both Debbie and her husband Frank played Division I athletics. “We never pressured Patrick into anything. He had to organically love the game on his own,” she recounted. “And thankfully he did.”
Growing up, Patrick participated in numerous basketball clinics and camps that Debbie conducted, including her Mount Pleasant Basketball Academy, and was always spending time in the gym with her.
When Patrick entered eighth grade at Cario Middle School, the athletic director asked Debbie to coach their basketball team. She turned down the offer twice, but accepted after a third time, with the stipulation that they allow her to work around her full college basketball commentating schedule, and only if Patrick agreed to it. Patrick approved. Debbie split the players into two separate teams, coached them both and ran it like she would a college basketball practice. “We won everything,” she recalled.
Patrick went on to have a decorated career at Bishop England before playing in college. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Emory & Henry; a master’s in sports administration at Louisville; and will get his MBA from Francis Marion. “I’m really proud of him for that,” said Debbie.
Watching Patrick’s games hasn’t always been easy. “It is a challenge, there’s no question,” acknowledged Debbie. “I’m on the road non-stop.” However, because Debbie works in the ACC on the men’s side, she called six of Louisville’s games last season.
Although Patrick didn’t typically see any playing time at Louisville, one game delivered an unforgettable shared moment. They were in the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament and Debbie and her longtime broadcast partner of 30 years and family friend Beth Mowins were calling Louisville’s game against Indiana.
Louisville built a 35-point lead late in the second half and with about 2:30 left in the game, Debbie glanced at the bench and saw Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey, the former College of Charleston head coach, motion to Patrick to enter the game. He put Patrick in before the other walk-ons. “And I know he did that for me,” mused Debbie. “He knew that would give us a chance to talk about him.”
Debbie looked over at Kelsey, who had the biggest smile on his face. She locked eyes with Kelsey, patted her chest above her heart and mouthed, ‘thank you.’
After Patrick went in, Indiana committed a technical foul and Kelsey and Patrick’s teammates pushed him toward the free throw line. “I remember saying on the air, ‘I just hope he hits the rim,’” joked Debbie. He sank them both and later hit another free throw, finishing with three points – his first points of the season.
“I get to talk about everybody else’s kids for 38 years and now I finally get to talk about my own kid on the air. And it just made me so proud for Patrick, so happy for him, that he was doing what he dreamed about doing,” Debbie reflected. “It’s definitely a memory for us forever.”
By Colin McCandless
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