Page 30 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2026 - Online Magazine
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Senior
Senior
Chris Flickinger "Coach Flick"
From Hardwood
to Heart
by Spencer Swindell
have always been in love with only whether we were willing to success and strength in failure are
basketball. I have played the work hard. That mindset changed both signs of true character. Off the
I game my whole life because me, because, honestly, it forced me floor, Coach Flick’s influence was
I was good at it and because it to look at myself. I realized that just as powerful. He cared deeply
always helped my brain heal from often, I had relied on my natural about us as people and what our
negative thoughts or disruptive ability instead of pushing myself to intentions were for the future.
situations I found myself in. I get better.
enjoyed the game, but I did not Whether we won or lost, he made
understand how powerful it could What made Coach Flick’s coaching sure that he hugged each and
be or how much it could shape me even more impactful was how every one of his players before
as a person. Meeting Coach Chris he connected basketball to faith. they left the locker room. He did
Flickinger (Flick) as a freshman He often reminded us that our that every single game. He showed
changed that completely. His identity was not found in points, us the importance of integrity,
impact on me went beyond wins minutes played, or games won. honesty, and, most importantly,
and losses, and what he taught me Instead, he emphasized that our the art of forgiving one another
on and off the court changed my worth came from God. That lesson and asking for forgiveness. Those
whole perspective. itself changed the way I handled lessons stayed with me far beyond
pressure and failure. He spoke the gym. I remember Coach Flick
When I first met Coach Flick, I openly about his faith and how it always telling me, “The door to
immediately noticed something guided his decisions to help get my office is always open, and don’t
that I had never observed with any him where he is today. Through hesitate to walk in.” I took that to
other coach. I noticed his positivity him, I learned faith is not just heart, and I can assure you I never
toward people and how, ultimately, something you talk about, it’s hesitated to walk in. The joy in this
he wanted to shape them into something you value and live out man's eyes and heart is something I
the best version of themselves. I every day. I had knee surgery the don’t know if I will ever see again,
didn’t really get to know him as summer he took a job at another even if life did not go his way. He
a freshman, since he was the JV school, and he called me the night always found the path to gratitude,
basketball coach, but when I had before and prayed with me over and that is something that I will
that opportunity, it was a life- the phone. He checked in on me always remember him for.
changing experience. First practice, afterwards and continued to pray
he made it clear that basketball was for me. I will never forget that Coach Flick also helped build
not just about talent. It was about and how much peace it brought my confidence in a real, lasting
discipline, effort, and attitude. He me during that trying time. Coach way. He did not hype me up with
did not care how skilled we were, Flick taught me that humility in empty praise. Instead, he pushed
30 Lubbock Senior Link
