When Tamika Beeler got on the car, GPS pulled her "work" address to Hague Road 7802.

It turns out that GPS is a habitual creature. Although Beeler didn't work at that address (the location of Lawrence North High School), she did enough travel there - usually six days during football season - her car firmly believed she was driving to work.

“It just thinks that’s where I’m going,” Biller said with a smile.

Biller's dedication to Lawrence North began with the football program. Her youngest son, Caleb, is a senior who will attend college later this month in Indiana Wesleyan, Indiana. When Caleb was 5 years old, she began helping youth coach Raymond Barnett as a "team mom". These responsibilities were initially because of making sure the kids had snacks after the game. More than a decade later - from Youth League to the Valley of Fall to Lawrence North - to those who know themselves best are like family.

"I'm very grateful to Miss Tamika," said Davion Chandler, a senior Indiana football recruit who has known Bealer since he was six years old. "I feel like when you have people like this around you, you'll have the same season as last year. You're looking forward to going out and playing for those who support you in her way. She's been taking care of me since my little boy."

Beeler's selfless dedication and endless energy - Lawrence North football coach Pat Mallory calls her "everything for me" - making her the choice for our Indystar Mother's Day 2025 "Sports Mom of the Year". Although the 1999 North Central graduate did not participate in the sports herself, this hit when she started to help Caleb's team.

She doesn't have to be the football game she likes, though you can find her and hear her voice - about halfway in the stands on the 50-yard line of every Lawrence North game. It was the people Beeler who fell in love. When Caleb started playing football, she noticed that some of these kids didn’t always have families to support them. At that time, her role as a “team mom” had different meanings.

"I don't care what sports they're playing," Baylor said. "All of these kids have backgrounds. They need someone to understand that. There, you see parents coming and parents not coming. Some of these kids need one, 'You did a great job' or 'You killed it.'. No one told them they killed some of these kids there, just nothing … these kids just let me in."

Beeler thinks her husband, Rodney Beeler, makes their home a place for kids to hang out. But Rodney admitted the couple's leisure and quiet half quiet, and he was surprised by his wife's generosity.

"Her heart is inside," Rodney said. "It's not a trivial matter for her. It's not, 'Oh, the coach (Mallory) called me, so I'm going there.' She wants to help.

Thankfully, at least for now, Lawrence North, she hasn't gone anywhere. Last fall, at the start of the football season, Beeler was reluctant to make personal connections with freshmen. As Caleb went through his senior season, she thought it would be her help last year. She believes that the less connection, the easier it is to walk away.

“With this year’s freshman, I thought, ‘No, don’t talk to me,’ she said with a smile. “(They’re like) Miss Tamika, Miss Tamika! 'I thought,'No, stop it. Stop it. '"

Of course, that didn't last. The bond has strengthened. And now, even if Caleb is about to go to college, Beeler plans to help again next season. Maybe it is Small More in the background. But she will come back.

"She's there when help is needed," said Mike Penrose, Director of Athletics at Lawrence North. "She never said that. Tamika has become a valuable part of our Wildcat family, providing a bridge between coaching, parents and administration. Many of her here love."

Beeler has three older children: his 24-year-old daughter Amaya; his son Rodney, 23; and his 20-year-old son Jayson. They also participated in the movement. But Kaleb's personality seems to be the best choice for Tamika to get involved. Kaleb called her "my best friend."

"She put her all into everything," Kaleb said. "I've seen it since I was a kid. That's why you haven't heard anyone say they don't like her."

Rodney said the special bond between Kaleb and Tamika is difficult to describe. Their birthdays are two days apart - September 9 and 11 - which may be related.

"They're just the same," Rodney said. "This can do that. Sometimes I'm the referee. (Caleb) is the baby of the family. But I know he likes to support and I can't ask more from him. He's always pushing himself."

Mallory is happy to have Tamika come back next season. "I know you're not leaving me." He told her when she confirmed she's going to help next season.

"It's been six years since I was a part of my life," she said. "How do you let it go?"

During the football season, the only day she doesn't go to school is on Sunday. But if there is youth football, she will help you with the concession stand in the future. She coordinates meals all week, which means preparing them, coordinating with parents and/or traveling to the grocery store. She participated in the practice. The only few days she didn't come to school (unless there was a home game) was Friday.

"I think it will jinx them," she said.

Even though she is not officially part of the coaching staff, she is also working as a coach. It's just not a variety of X and O.

"Some of the (freshmen) come in and there is a stalemate," she said. "It's not an easy thing for me at all. I'm responsible for them. Even if they see me in the wild or are given to me, I won't be relaxed with them. I'm with them, but I'm not their friend. I want to know their story. If they're willing to tell their story. But I won't push or pry it away."

Part of Beeler's nurturing nature is her background. She went to school, received her own daycare plan, and received early childhood education. But once she has a child, she has to choose between "mom, mom, mom" or "Miss Tamika". She raises children and works in social services.

But once she started to participate in Caleb's football team, she was fascinated. Kaleb said he could even feel it.

"She has a connection with all the kids," he said. "I know she's going to play the role because that's just everything she does. It definitely means a lot to her."

On Friday night, Bieler’s investment in the kids was obvious. She cheered at the center. Kicking. coach. If the public address announcer mistakenly identified the tackler, she will correct it. "I hope they know I'm there to support them," she said, proud of all 21 seniors who had a score of 11-1 and ranked No. 1 in the state.

“Everyone loves her,” Chandler said. "When Coach Marr tear you apart, she'll be there to make you feel better. You can talk to her outside the football. I'm always looking forward to seeing Miss Tamika after the game and giving her a hug."

Rodney joked that his wife was renamed than him in the north of Lawrence, even though he graduated from there, she went to the central north. Even outside of football season, she can help you with track and field and is a regular volunteer in buildings such as an appreciation night for teachers or an open house.

"About LN, she has a steering wheel," Rodney said. "She is a quarterback. I don't know what would have done without her."

Beeler certainly won't do that. She is not an overly emotional person. But it made her cry when she found out she was chosen for the award. Not because it was about her, but because people close to her felt that she deserved recognition.

"I know if one of the kids is riding with their parents and seeing me on the side of the road, they will stop," she said. "I see the kids doing work and hear them say, 'Miss Tamika, Miss Tamika!' That means a lot.

No matter what GPS says, this doesn't sound like it works at all.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get Indystar’s high school coverage and deliver it directly to your inbox via the high school sports newsletter.

Previous "Sports Mom of the Year" winners and stories

In 2024, Katie Hupfer: “You can’t bring value to playing sports.”

In 2023, Crystal Clark: “How to deal with the unimaginable sports mom of the year.”

In 2023, Amy Dinwiddle: 'Susan Jordan died of heroes. The sports mom of the year learned lessons from her.

2022 Susie Strange: 'Daughter's gym is closed. Therefore, Indystar Sports Mom of the Year has set up a gymnastics team.

In 2021, Kris Schepers: “Indystar’s Sports Mom of the Year” is not only her own boy, but more. ”

Kathy Loggan: “It may not be easy, but I will be here.” Kathy Loggan is the Sports Mom of the Year this year

In 2019, Angie Young: "I don't know how she did it." Meet the first Indystar "Sports Mom of the Year"