The First Family Of Snider Sports

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FORT WAYNE, IN. (WANE) - Snider's Weston Painter is a big presence on the football field. The senior defensive lineman is the anchor of the Panthers defense and has been impressive enough to earn a football scholarship to play at Indiana State. Perhaps the only thing bigger than Painter's success on the gridiron - is his family.

Deb Painter is the proud mother of ten children - Weston is the seventh - and they've all played sports, nine of them at Snider. Collectively, the family has earned over 30 varsity letters for the Panthers - easily a school record - and when the final three Painter children graduate, that number could exceed 40. Through the countless practices and games during football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and track season - Deb has been there through it all.

In 2003 she purchased a brand new Chevy Express twelve-passenger van. She got rid of it just over one month ago with over 190,000 miles wracked up on the engine. There was of course also the summer where seven Painter children played Little League - all on different teams.

"My rule was I had to be with the younger children," Painter says. "So I'd go to the younger kids games and then I'd gather everyone up at the end of their games. I'd usually hit about three games a night."

It's certainly a testament to her fortitude and support for her children.

When it's all said and done, Snider High School will have at least one member of the Painter family enrolled for an incredible 16 consecutive years.