From always being up for a catch in the backyard and his encouraging (and okay, maybe a little embarrassing) chants from the sidelines, dad was always your biggest fan. Father's Day is the perfect chance to show how much you appreciate him.
We partnered with DICK'S Sporting Goods and recruited an all-star team of the sportiest Dads we know, to share what's on their wish lists this year. Whether your Dad is a die-hard fan or an Ironman, we've got you covered.
The Outdoorsman
A Fishing Kayak
"I bought my son a fishing kayak recently and saw the excitement he got from being on the water. He said it wasn't as much fun as if I were on one next to him. He's still at an age where he wants me to do things with him and the bitter sweet truth about being a dad is that one day, he'll be older and independent. Maybe a kayak will let me milk it for as long as I can."
- Chris John, gym teacher and former ESPN co-host
"I bought my son a fishing kayak recently and saw the excitement he got from being on the water. He said it wasn't as much fun as if I were on one next to him. He's still at an age where he wants me to do things with him and the bitter sweet truth about being a dad is that one day, he'll be older and independent. Maybe a kayak will let me milk it for as long as I can."
- Chris John, gym teacher and former ESPN co-host
A Camping Tent
“I’ve always believed Father’s Day gifts should be about being a dad and help me spend more time with my boys. I grew up camping with my dad and think this is a great summer to start so the Eureka! Grand Manan 9 5-Person Tent would be a great gift.”
- Nate Checketts, works for a private equity firm specializing in sports and co-founder of Rhone Apparel
“I’ve always believed Father’s Day gifts should be about being a dad and help me spend more time with my boys. I grew up camping with my dad and think this is a great summer to start so the Eureka! Grand Manan 9 5-Person Tent would be a great gift.”
- Nate Checketts, works for a private equity firm specializing in sports and co-founder of Rhone Apparel
The Golf Pro
TaylorMade Men's SLDR Driver
"I've had my eye on the TaylorMade SLDR driver for some time now because like many golfers, I struggle with distance off the tee. The SLDR is designed to generate higher launch with lower spin -- the two elements with which I most need help."
- John Retzer, blogger behind GolfBlogger.com
"I've had my eye on the TaylorMade SLDR driver for some time now because like many golfers, I struggle with distance off the tee. The SLDR is designed to generate higher launch with lower spin -- the two elements with which I most need help."
- John Retzer, blogger behind GolfBlogger.com
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A Golf Travel Bag
"Every year my buddies and I talk about taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to play a historic course like Pebble Beach, St. Andrews or Pinehurst. Once we book it, I’ll need a heavy duty golf travel bag to handle the important task of making sure my clubs arrive safely. The top brand on the market is Club Glove, whose 'Last Bag' is used by 90% of PGA Tour players. If that many pros trust it, I want it."
- Bill Feidler, P.R. Manager of Buffalo Communications, a sports marketing firm specializing in golf
"Every year my buddies and I talk about taking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to play a historic course like Pebble Beach, St. Andrews or Pinehurst. Once we book it, I’ll need a heavy duty golf travel bag to handle the important task of making sure my clubs arrive safely. The top brand on the market is Club Glove, whose 'Last Bag' is used by 90% of PGA Tour players. If that many pros trust it, I want it."
- Bill Feidler, P.R. Manager of Buffalo Communications, a sports marketing firm specializing in golf
A Range Finder
"I have resisted the new technology of range finders for the golf course, but am ready to come out of the dark ages. I would love to see a brand new one by my coffee cup on Father's Day. I know it would take another five shots off my scorecard."
- Fred Altvater, blogger behind Back Nine Blog/ToledoOhioGolfLessons.com
"I have resisted the new technology of range finders for the golf course, but am ready to come out of the dark ages. I would love to see a brand new one by my coffee cup on Father's Day. I know it would take another five shots off my scorecard."
- Fred Altvater, blogger behind Back Nine Blog/ToledoOhioGolfLessons.com
The 5-Star Athlete
Running Shoes
"Not to be specific or anything, but those Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 4E running shoes, size 9 - in white, to make me look even faster - would be a stellar Father's Day gift. When a dad has top-notch running kicks like that, it's a cinch to rip right through that Couch to 5K."
- Eli Pacheco, Blogger behind Coach Daddy Blog
"Not to be specific or anything, but those Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14 4E running shoes, size 9 - in white, to make me look even faster - would be a stellar Father's Day gift. When a dad has top-notch running kicks like that, it's a cinch to rip right through that Couch to 5K."
- Eli Pacheco, Blogger behind Coach Daddy Blog
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Coach Gear
“As a father of four and a youth basketball coach, I would love to have some extra basketballs, basketball scorebooks and clipboards because you can never have enough of them. Now that summer is coming, having a surplus of water bottles wouldn’t hurt either!”
- Keith Van Horn, youth basketball coach and former NBA basketball player
“As a father of four and a youth basketball coach, I would love to have some extra basketballs, basketball scorebooks and clipboards because you can never have enough of them. Now that summer is coming, having a surplus of water bottles wouldn’t hurt either!”
- Keith Van Horn, youth basketball coach and former NBA basketball player
The Thrill-Seeker
A Whitewater Kayak
"As a thrill seeker Dad I believe it’s never too early to start getting your kids addicted to adrenaline! So for Father’s Day I would really like to get a whitewater kayak to take my kids down the rowdiest rollers I can find and having a GoPro Hero3 to record it all and show at either the father of the year awards or the divorce proceedings would be a great bonus gift!"
- Patrick J. Sweeney II, Extreme athlete, elite adventurer, TV personality and CEO of DwinQ
"As a thrill seeker Dad I believe it’s never too early to start getting your kids addicted to adrenaline! So for Father’s Day I would really like to get a whitewater kayak to take my kids down the rowdiest rollers I can find and having a GoPro Hero3 to record it all and show at either the father of the year awards or the divorce proceedings would be a great bonus gift!"
- Patrick J. Sweeney II, Extreme athlete, elite adventurer, TV personality and CEO of DwinQ
A GoPro Video Camera
"I love the flexibility of the GoPro for getting video at game speed. I'm always trying to hold a video camera or set it in a place so it can capture what I'm seeing but I always end up missing some really cool stuff. This cam can take any beating I give it and come back for more. The video is easy to upload and edit so I can relive and share the moment."
- Dave Owens, former US National Bobsled team member, sports scientist, and the creator of the Hand Speed Trainer
"I love the flexibility of the GoPro for getting video at game speed. I'm always trying to hold a video camera or set it in a place so it can capture what I'm seeing but I always end up missing some really cool stuff. This cam can take any beating I give it and come back for more. The video is easy to upload and edit so I can relive and share the moment."
- Dave Owens, former US National Bobsled team member, sports scientist, and the creator of the Hand Speed Trainer
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The Fitness Fanatic
A Triathlon Wetsuit
"The last time I visited my daughters and son living in Santa Monica, the ocean was a chilling 59 degrees! I went in with my Race Club briefs on and swam toward the Santa Monica pier so fast that I nearly rose out of the water. This wetsuit designed with more freedom of arm movement would make that nice ocean swim in the Pacific comfortable any time of year."
Gary Hall, 3 time Olympic swimmer and technicaldirector of the Race Club
"The last time I visited my daughters and son living in Santa Monica, the ocean was a chilling 59 degrees! I went in with my Race Club briefs on and swam toward the Santa Monica pier so fast that I nearly rose out of the water. This wetsuit designed with more freedom of arm movement would make that nice ocean swim in the Pacific comfortable any time of year."
Gary Hall, 3 time Olympic swimmer and technicaldirector of the Race Club
The #1 Fan
A Team USA Soccer Jersey
"The first item that I'm coveting for Father's Day is a Team USA Soccer Jersey. I'm heading to the World Cup in July and this would be the perfect addition to help me root on Team USA while in Brazil."
- Tom Ellingson, Co-founder of gameday immersion company Fandeavor
"The first item that I'm coveting for Father's Day is a Team USA Soccer Jersey. I'm heading to the World Cup in July and this would be the perfect addition to help me root on Team USA while in Brazil."
- Tom Ellingson, Co-founder of gameday immersion company Fandeavor
For more Father's Day gift inspiration, check out the DICK'S Sporting Goods gift guide here.