Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, but turning that pain into something meaningful is an incredible act of love and resilience. That’s exactly what Christina Coghill has done. With the help of Opportunity Plan, she created a scholarship in honor of her late son, Christian. His legacy isn’t just a memory, it lives on through the opportunities now given to young athletes who embody his spirit of perseverance and dedication.
Christian was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just 11 years old, a condition that required constant care and discipline. But he never let it slow him down. He poured his heart into football and found a passion for mentoring kids at diabetic camps. As a mentor at Camp Sweeney, a well-known camp in Dallas, he helped young children navigate their own diagnoses. “He loved little kids, and he loved to help people succeed,” Christina shared, reflecting on his passion for uplifting others.
At 22, Christian tragically passed away due to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), leaving behind a heartbroken family, team, and community. His high school football coach at Caprock High School wanted to find a way to honor him, and from that, the Fighting Heart Award was born. Each year, this award is given to a senior football player who exemplifies perseverance, strength, and dedication. All the qualities Christian embodied. But Christina knew there was more that could be done. She wanted to create a scholarship alongside the award, ensuring that students who worked hard on and off the field, had the support they needed for their future.
Making that vision a reality, however, wasn’t easy. Christina faced challenges with the school board as she tried to navigate the process. “I’d actually given up,” she admitted. But then, through a friend, she was introduced to Opportunity Plan. With their help, the scholarship finally came to life, making it possible for each Fighting Heart Award recipient to receive financial support for college.
Now, this scholarship is changing lives. Christina recalls one student’s emotional reaction to receiving it: “He said, ‘I never, ever expected this. Did you pick me?’ And I said, ‘No, I have nothing to do with the picking.’ And he gave me a hug and started crying. His mom started crying, too, and told me she had lost a son as well.” It was a powerful moment, proving just how much this scholarship means.
“This story is more than just fundraising,” Christina explained. “It’s remembering Christian and paving a way for another kid.” The scholarship isn’t just financial aid; it’s a message to these students that their hard work, their struggles, and their determination are seen and valued. “Any kid that continues to fight for the best for themselves is amazing, because it’s so much easier to give up.”
Christina has turned grief into impact, making sure that Christian’s fighting heart lives on. Not just as a memory, but as a movement. With every scholarship awarded, another student gets a chance to succeed, proving that perseverance is always worth it.
Today, we have created a new opportunity through the Caprock ISD Football Team. Coach Freeman has started a Fighting Heart Award in Christian’s name. This award will continue to honor Christian and give the football players heartfelt motivation as well as incentive to keep fighting and improving. All the football coaches’ mentor and watch these players on and off the field. They see how the students are doing in class, being team oriented, goal oriented and Rock Strong! Each year he chooses a student to be the honored recipient of the Fighting Heart Award to be recognized and given at the Football Banquet. Thanks to Opportunity Plan, Inc., we are able to add a scholarship to the Fighting Heart Award. With your help we can raise funds and gift the student additional help through their college years. If you would like to help and be a part of achieving this goal, please click the link and donate towards a great opportunity for this chosen student.