Beyond the Scoreboard: Coach Chipp McCann Coordinates Touching Surprise Military Reunion for CMHS Volleyball Player and U.S. Navy Brother at CCHS

By Emily Wright

BLOOMSBURG— Emotions ran high at a volleyball match between Central Mountain High School (CMHS) and Central Columbia High School on Tuesday night, but the most memorable moment had nothing to do with the score. Instead, it was the heartfelt surprise reunion between CMHS volleyball player Lily Downing and her brother, Austin Bird, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, that stole the show.

Head varsity volleyball coach for CMHS, Chipp McCann, coordinated a surprise military reunion for Downing and her brother upon Bird’s return from a year-long deployment in Japan. The surprise, orchestrated with the help of Central Columbia’s coach Bethany Comstock, turned the volleyball match into an unforgettable event.

“Life is way bigger than sports,” McCann reflected in a Facebook post after the emotional night. “Getting to know your players and their families is one of my favorite parts.”

McCann revealed that a few weeks prior, he learned of Bird’s deployment and subsequent return during a conversation with Downing’s mother. Realizing that Bird’s leave coincided with the September 17 volleyball match, McCann conceived the idea of orchestrating a surprise military reunion. The only hitch was that the match was an away game at Central Columbia High School; however, fate and camaraderie were on their side.

During a tournament with Central Columbia, McCann pitched the idea to Coach Comstock. Not only was she receptive, but the entire Central Columbia team and administration embraced the occasion, turning the match into a touching Military Appreciation Night.

Comstock and her team adorned the gym with patriotic flair. Red, white, and blue ribbons were placed on the team’s bench for each CMHS player to wear, and one of Central Columbia’s players even sang the National Anthem, adding an extra element of patriotism.

When the moment came, the gymnasium was filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement, which was recorded and later posted on Coach McCann’s Facebook page. The video of the memorable reunion between brother and sister has since circulated on social media, having captured the moment Downing realized that her brother was walking onto the court to greet her. The siblings’ embrace, a year in the making, moved everyone present, stirring applause and cheers that resounded through the venue.

Coach McCann expressed his gratitude, “Huge shout out to Central Columbia coach Bethany, their administration, and everybody that came through to make this happen! Also, thank you Austin Bird for your service!”

Indeed, the night was a poignant reminder that while sports can bring people together, moments like these demonstrate the true power of community, unity, and familial love. The volleyball match, which now seems almost secondary, concluded with camaraderie and mutual respect as its real victors. As the perfect ending to what was already a memorable night, the Wildcats controlled the match, winning in straight sets by scores of 25-7, 25-12, and 25-10. 

“I love watching those surprises, and tonight was AWESOME!!” Coach McCann said in his Facebook post. “I will always remember being a part of making her night! I don’t know if there was a dry eye in the place!”