Bobby and Bob Chipman (Photo by Gene Cassell)

Chipman Living Dream Playing for Father at WU

By David Boyce

Northwest Missouri closed to nine points with six minutes left when Washburn freshman Bobby Chipman floated to the baseline corner.

Chipman received a pass from junior De'Andre Washington and drained a three-pointer that put the Ichabods up 12 points Wednesday evening.

What went through the mind of Washburn coach Bob Chipman?

Was he thrilled to see his offense execute a nice play that stopped a rally by Northwest Missouri?

Or did he briefly slip into father mode and think, wow, "my boy has really grown up."

Bobby Chipman is no longer the 8-year-old kid who ran around Lee Arena as a ball boy and popped into the locker room with innocent exuberance soaking in the world of college basketball.

Bobby Chipman is a starter on an Ichabods team that has now won four straight games.

"I'm still trying to figure this out," Bob Chipman said.

"I think his real forte is playing smart and finding the right guy at the right time. But that was fun. He did hit a big shot tonight." 

Whatever went through his mind at that precise moment, one thing is clear: a dream came true. Father is coaching son for the Washburn men's basketball team.

"I get to see him every day," Bob Chipman said. "I get to watch him practice. It's just an additional thrill. You love your team and your team is everything and then there is your son doing something. He's diving on the floor. He's having a great practice. It's just a great feeling."

A few times Bob Chipman wondered if it would ever happen. He said his son was a late bloomer.

As a sophomore and junior at Washburn Rural, Bobby Chipman didn't quite flash the skills of a NCAA Division II player.

"When he was a sophomore in high school I was going man, I don't know if he would be able to play on the varsity out there," Bob Chipman said.

But in the summer before his senior year, Bobby Chipman started working with former Kansas City Kings and Boston Celtics player Scott Wedman.

"Bobby always loved the game of basketball, but Scott took his confidence and passion for the game to a new level. I can't tell you how great he was for Bobby."

"I was never like don't do this don't do that because that would run him away from basketball. I was just trying to be his dad. I'm just lucky to have Scott."

Bobby Chipman's game blossomed to the point that he took an official visit to Air Force last year.

"My dad made me look around even though since I was a kid I wanted to play here. I've been here forever," Bobby Chipman said. "I've always dreamed of playing for my dad no matter what."

Bob Chipman just wanted his son to experience all the things any student-athlete would go through. That's the reason why Bobby Chipman lives in a dorm instead of at home.

In many ways, Bobby Chipman is going through the ups and downs that almost always happen to freshmen. He's averaging 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds. He's started in 12 of 19 games.

At 6-foot-8, Chipman has the ability to play on the perimeter and go inside. His future looks bright, especially when you consider he's only 18 years old and could be a senior in high school.

"Bobby hasn't even started shaving," Bob Chipman said.

That kind of knowledge from the coach is what separates Bobby Chipman from the other freshmen.

During the winter break when the dorms were closed, Bobby Chipman was home and that was during the time when Washburn was going through a five-game losing streak.

"At the beginning, when we lost five straight and it was over break I went back home and maybe we bickered back and forth about it," Bobby Chipman said.

"Right now we are winning so everything is fine, everything is great. We are fine. It has its days when it is harder, but ultimately we like it a lot."

But really, even during the bad times, they were really good times because this was what Bobby Chipman always wanted.

Growing up he spent so much time around the players that he wanted to be part of it when he was old enough.

"I always liked the guys," Bobby Chipman said. "I always looked up to them and my dad, of course. I always wanted him to be successful. They usually had good teams, exciting basketball.

"I just like going to the locker room and listening to my dad."

And now he gets to apply what he hears from his dad on the basketball court and help the Ichabods win games.

To his teammates, Bobby Chipman is just one of the guys.

"I really don't notice it," junior De'Andre Washington said. "He doesn't play to his son like that and Bobby doesn't look for that extra attention."

Still, no matter how hard he tries, the dad part will come out of Bob Chipman when he's talking about his son. The way he talks about Bobby Chipman's lack of turnovers sounds just like a proud pop.

"In conference, he only has three or four turnovers, and those are questionable," Bob Chipman said. "I'm not sure it was his fault."

In fairness to Bob Chipman, he immediately added that all of the freshmen really take care of the ball.

"Right now I like it a lot," Bobby Chipman said. "We try to keep basketball and home life separate. I've always wanted to do it. It's working out fine. Now we are getting more comfortable with it."

To reach David Boyce, contributing writer for the MIAA, e-mail dboyce@themiaa.com.