This has been a special week for the son of a former TCU athlete.

Nathan Lin celebrated his eighth birthday on Tuesday. The next day, he signed a National Letter of Intent with TCU’s Swimming and Diving Team.

“Today, you’re becoming a super Horned Frog swimmer,” head coach Richard Sybesma said to Nathan.

Nathan’s new teammates rallied behind him as he put pen to paper, cementing his future with the Horned Frogs. It was just as his mother, Cathy Boyd Lin, did 31 years ago.

“She was a good swimmer, a hard worker, a great woman,” Sybesma said.

Last July, Nathan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He had surgery to remove it a week later, and he’s currently receiving chemotherapy treatments

“I’m so proud of how he’s done since all of this was diagnosed and how strong he has been going through a lot of very serious treatment,” said Jeffrey Lin, Nathan’s father.

Over a span of four years, Cathy Boyd Lin went to NCAA tournaments and set records for the Frogs in the 200 freestyle relays. She said watching her son join her past team made the past year worth it.

The team’s spirit was boosted as well. After signing his name, Nathan swam a victory lap in the Olympic pool in the University Recreation Center. He heard his teammates cheer him on along the way.

“Seeing Nathan swim the length of that pool and them cheering, it’s special,” Sybesma said.

It was special for friends, family and, of course, Nathan.

“It was awesome,” Nathan said.