Documentary
Love Like Chris
A legacy of love lived out.
More than a championship. More than a coach. This is a story about an incredible team and love that never stopped showing up.
Coming in 2026, Love Like Chris is a documentary inspired by the life and legacy of Coach Chris Toomey—a man who quietly and consistently modeled the love of Jesus to those around him. The film follows the remarkable journey of the Lafayette High School girls’ volleyball team in Wildwood, Missouri, as they face unimaginable grief, rally behind the phrase “Love Like Chris,” and go on to win a state championship—all while carrying the weight of loss, the strength of community, and the power of love.
Behind the Story
A season of heartbreak. A story of hope.
Told through the eyes of players, coaches, family, and friends, the film chronicles the emotional journey of a team that lost one of their beloved coaches just before the season began. Woven with interviews, game footage, and never-before-seen moments, Love Like Chris is a raw and redemptive story of how love can rise through pain. Produced by the Toomey and Elliott families and directed by Tim and Timmy Fikes, the film captures both the intensity of sport and the intimacy of love lived out.
Why the Story Matters
Because what we do with our grief defines how we live.
This film is about more than volleyball. It is about a man whose quiet presence left a massive impact, and a group of young women who learned that love is the most powerful legacy we can leave behind. In a time when our world often divides, Love Like Chris reminds us what can happen when we choose courage, compassion, and Christ-centered community. It is a story that continues far beyond the final whistle into college dorms, mission fields, and everyday acts of kindness that can ripple across our world.
How to Watch or Host a Screening
Be among the first to bring this story to your school, church, or community.
Love Like Chris is currently in production, with an official release anticipated in 2026. In the coming months, we’ll begin announcing screening opportunities, pre-release events, and how your group can host a showing.
Want to stay informed or host a screening when the time comes? Contact us.
Proceeds from the film will directly support The Impact Collective and its mission to lead student-athletes on Christ-centered mission trips, continuing the work Chris loved most.
“The night of Chris’s memorial, they showed a clip of him talking about building a community where everyone felt known and loved. That’s exactly what he did on the volleyball court, in church, and everywhere he went. This film is about that kind of love, the kind that doesn’t stop.”
Rick Toomey, Chris’s father
“Love Like Chris isn’t just a motto. It became our roadmap on and off the court. We didn’t just play for a title, we played for his legacy.”
Audrey, Lafayette Volleyball Player
