“You taught me to do it your way, but now it is my way,” senior Varsity Basketball Co-Captain Mariah Lynn and her fellow classmates on stage sang to their fathers at the annual Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 11. But for Lynn, the words were more than just a parody of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” It encapsulated the intended father-daughter relationship and the lasting outcome of their coach-player relationship.

“Mariah and I have a bond that has been developed through our hours in the gym,” Lynn’s dad, Freshman Basketball Team Head Coach Chad Lynn, said. “Not only do we have the normal Father-Daughter relationship, but our passion for sports, especially basketball, has made us inseparable for 18 years.”

At the age of four, an orange ball was placed in Lynn’s hands by her father as he began to teach her how to play the game of basketball. From the ages of 6 to 16, Chad was not just a parent but Lynn’s basketball coach too.

“He is a very encouraging coach and gives constructive criticism. As I have gotten older, we can talk more about the concepts of basketball, and he asks me for his advice on how to coach my sister’s team,” Lynn said. ”If I were to coach in the future, I would want to coach like he did because he was and is such a great coach.”

A player himself, Chad played for Lee’s Summit High School and recreationally in the Army. But to Lynn, he has always been a coach. His advice has led the way for Lynn’s club team, Eclipse, the teams of her four siblings, and now the freshmen team.

“I love competition and winning, but not more than I love to see young players develop,” Chad said. “The freshmen girl’s development from day one to now has been better than any team that I’ve coached. I’m very proud of them.”

Lynn isn’t the only senior Chad coached on Eclipse into the player she is today. Varsity Basketball Co-Captain Sarah Totta played with the two all throughout elementary school. It became apparent to all others on the court that the two shared more than just genes whenever they were together, according to Totta.

“Both Mariah and her dad are very strong-headed individuals who give 100 percent effort to everything they do, whether it’s on or off the court,” Totta said. “They are both extremely passionate about the game of basketball and use their skills to instruct and push others to be the best they can be.”

Chad has pushed Lynn to be the best she can be in everything she does and has been able to see her develop as a player and person in all aspects. Still, his involvement in both her own and her sibling’s basketball created memories and lessons that remain the most prevalent to Lynn. Sports were a big part of Lynn’s life growing up. Not just basketball, but throughout the years she has also played soccer, softball and lacrosse.

“I really was raised in the gym,” Lynn said. “I have implemented his coaching in so many parts of my life, not just basketball.”

Lynn was always finding a way out onto the court, according to Chad. The drive to do her best, never taking no for an answer and leadership skills are all lessons Lynn has learned from her coach. Chad sees the amazing life skills Lynn acquired through their years of basketball together as she becomes a young woman taking them into her everyday life and attitude.

“The most important thing I’ve learned from my dad is to never give up,” Lynn said. “He’s always taught me to work hard no matter the circumstances and to make the best out of every situation. He’s taught me to focus on the things that I can control and always do my best.”

As Chad and the freshmen team finish up their first season, Lynn finishes her last. Although moments like the win against rival St. Teresa’s Academy for both the freshman and Varsity team are vanishing, the impacts Chad made as a father and coach are visible every day. Today, his coaching is her way of playing and living.

“I’ve been able to be part of something that takes a lot of her time and energy in a sport that she loves. The fun and happy memories together, as well as seeing her grow up outside of our home and family environment, has been priceless,” Chad said. “She learned positive life lessons through sports like how to win and lose, how to push through adversity and be a good teammate and friend. As an adult, there is no doubt she has become an honest and reliable person who will try to help others in need at any moment.”