Man leaves hospital for first time in months to surprise daughter at basketball game

FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. (WXOW) - A secret plan for a Wisconsin man to surprise his daughter went off flawlessly this week.

One-by-one, the Cochrane-Fountain City girls high school basketball team went to embrace their loved ones on parents’ night, but Ana Knecht’s father, Randy Knecht, hasn’t been at any of her contests this year due to a long list of health issues.

Little did the high school junior know, there was a massive surprise that came strolling into the gym as soon as her name was called.

For the first time in many months, Randy Knecht left his hospital in Wabasha to see his daughter play for the Pirates.

“I had no idea and I was very shocked. I thought I was in a dream. I just hugged my mom and cried. I went down and hugged him and said hello,” Ana remembered.

He spent over 25 years coaching at Cochrane-Fountain City, but he now suffers from problems such as diabetes, kidney failure and an amputation of his right leg.

Randy Knecht said it’s hard not seeing his kids as often because of his treatments.

“What’s easy for me is to see Ana’s positive attitude,” Randy Knecht said. “She’s always cheering.”

His health issues weren’t going to stop him from being there that night.

“Then for me, to be able to sit there and do my therapy and my reps get hard, I think of my kids and that’s why I’m doing this,” Randy Knecht added.

The mission, dubbed “Operation: Flea Flicker,” was in the works for four months and keeping it under wraps was not an easy thing to do.

“It was tough. The only time we could talk about it was when we were on the phone together, Randy and I,” family friend Joey Arneson said. “It was difficult because I wanted to tell everybody else about it, ‘Hey, I want you guys to come, I want you guys to be part of this.’ Yet, I had to be quiet or the word would have got out and Ana would have probably heard. It was difficult, but we enjoyed it.”

Once she checked into the game, a magical moment took place right in front of her dad.

“I was like, ‘Put it up, put it up.’ I know there’s defenders everywhere. I just made the shot, made the bucket and hustled back on ‘D,’” Ana added.

“I think I probably might have jumped out of my chair, and I could have, and I could end up on the floor. To see that, to see Ana play and contribute to a state-ranked team all out, ducks lined up perfectly and that was a big part of it,” Randy Knecht said.

Only a handful of people knew of Randy Knecht’s arrival, but once he got there, it was nothing but love for the man who dedicated his life to Cochrane-Fountain City athletics.

“Community’s been great towards him. He’s done a lot for everyone and everyone’s so tight here. It’s one giant family,” Randy Knecht’s son, Eyan, said. “The community here is great. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

“It meant a lot to me. I knew this wasn’t something I was hoping for, but he had to come and support of my sister,” Izaiah Knecht, Randy Knecht’s other son and Cochrane-Fountain City’s announcer described.

Ana scored the final basket of the game with just 6 seconds left, capping off a night no one in attendance will ever forget.

“The best day of my life, by far. So, hats off to everybody. We got it. I thank you. I thank you,” Randy Knecht said.

The Pirates went on to beat Augusta 69-23. Ana scored her most points ever in a varsity game, all while her dad had a front row seat.

“I’m going to remember this game by having everyone by my side and cheering with me and my dad,” Ana said.

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