During the spring semester of her junior year of high school, Kelsey Chipman accepted a scholarship offer to play volleyball at K?State. Afterward, she decided to forego playing her senior season of basketball at Washburn Rural High School to focus on volleyball.

Many thought her father, Bob Chipman, would be disappointed when his daughter quit playing a sport he loved so much. After all, he is a former K-State basketball player and is the men's basketball coach at Washburn University.

However, he said he is just glad to see his daughter involved in a collegiate sport.

"She was very good at basketball, but she just loved to play volleyball," coach Chipman said. "I feel like this is all a bonus. I've got a beautiful young lady that is intelligent and athletic too."

Originally from Flint, Mich., coach Chipman played basketball for two years at Flint Community Junior College before becoming a Wildcat. He played for former K-State coach Jack Hartman for two seasons from 1971-73.

"Coach Hartman had coached some pros, and I was still thinking that I was a pro," coach Chipman said. "He did it his way. At the time, it was pretty frustrating, but after it was all over, you figured out that he taught us how to grow up and how to win."

As Kelsey grew up, her father taught her some of the lessons he learned from Hartman about competition and success.

While in high school, she led her volleyball team to its first 6A state championship in school history.

Kelsey continues to compete today, but now plays for the 16th-ranked K?State volleyball team. She is a sophomore middle blocker and leads the Wildcats this season with 89 block assists.

Though her father is a coach, Kelsey said he is focused on leaving the volleyball instruction to coach Suzie Fritz.

"Both my parents are just huge support systems for me, and they are not negative towards me at all," Kelsey said. "My dad tries to make it to every game because when the season starts he gets really busy."

Coach Chipman already has attended several K-State volleyball matches this season, but said he will have to miss a few because of his team's basketball practices.

"On Oct. 15, I have to pass the baton to my wife, Carol," coach Chipman said.

Among Division II men's basketball coaches, coach Chipman is ranked ninth all-time in wins with 620. Despite his professional success, he said his family always comes before anything else.

"She needs me to be her dad," he said. "After she plays, I just give her a hug and always tell her a few things that are really positive. I always look forward to the next time."