Congratulations to Neil Alexander and Kari Froebe for their Coach of the Year honors by the IBCA

[May 17, 2018] 

Lincoln is very blessed to have a number of terrific coaches in the community who care about the student athletes they are building. None rank higher than legendary Railers Basketball Coach Neil Alexander and the modern day Wonder Woman, Coach Kari Froebe of West Lincoln-Broadwell basketball fame.

On May 5, 2018 both Alexander and Froebe were named Coaches of the Year by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association at their annual banquet.

Alexander, who has received the award numerous times and is a member of the IBCA Hall of Fame, was honored again this year as the 3A District 18 IBCA Boys High School Coach of the Year. Alexander, who earned his 800th career win as a coach this season, was also given the honor of the naming of "Neil Alexander Court" earlier this year at Roy S. Anderson Gymnasium.

Froebe is also a repeat winner in the IBCA Girls Jr. High Coach of the Year category. This year marked her fifth win for 7th and 8th grade girls basketball in this district. Froebe has attended the banquet three of those times only because the night always falls on track sectionals, which she also coaches, and often her daughter's prom. Because the event, which is held on the campus of Illinois State University, only allows for three guests per honoree, Froebe chooses her parents and her husband, Kent, to attend with her. "They have always been my biggest supporters," she said of the trio. "You are only allowed three tickets or you know me, my kids would be there as well."

Nonetheless, the coach who has built a basketball dynasty over the last decade on the west side of town, is thrilled to be a part of the basketball festivities for the evening.

"I just enjoy going to the ceremony and being around all the other coaches from the state," said Froebe. "It's just a night of getting together with people that love the game as much as I do. Actually, I see it more as an accomplishment for my girls because when you get there you've got a lot of coaches who always say, "Oh, we hear you have an up and coming group," and it gets the girls' names out there. So that is an exciting thing for them and for the future of Lady Railer basketball. I just enjoy being in a basketball atmosphere. It's so cool. And Doug Collins sat right at my table," said a giddy Froebe. "There were just a lot of people there who I look up to and admire in the coaching field. It's just a great night to celebrate the game."

And this is just a great opportunity to celebrate these amazing coaches.

Congratulations Coach Alexander and Coach Froebe!

[Teena Lowery]