Kloe Froebe gives back to the place where it all started

 

[May 08, 2024] 

On Tuesday afternoon, Lincoln Community High School senior and Gatorade Player of the Year in high school girls basketball, Kloe Froebe presented a $1,000 donation to the Lincoln YMCA. The donation was made possible by Gatorade and was a part of Froebe’s induction into Player of the Year status.

Froebe was chosen as the girls basketball player of the year after a remarkable season that was the culmination of a remarkable high school career in the sport. As a recipient she was notified that she would be able to donate $1,000 to the not for profit or charity of her choice in her name, and in partnership with Gatorade.

Froebe chose the Lincoln YMCA because it is a place and an organization that is near and dear to her heart. She happily gives the YMCA credit as being the beginning of her basketball career and her love for the game.

On Monday she recalled that as a very young child she began playing basketball at the YMCA with her mom Kari Froebe as her teacher/coach. She said she learned to love the game and became invested in playing the game as much as possible.

The end result, Froebe along with some of her Class of 2024 Lady Railers played basketball throughout their grade school, junior high school and high school careers.

In the 2023 season, the Lady Railers fell one game short of winning a state championship in IHSA Class 3A girls basketball. That was a hard blow but one that drove the Ladies and in particular those Class of 2024 gals to come back with a vengeance and only one thing on their minds, a state championship.

In 2023 the Railer sports programs were in the Apollo Conference, but at the beginning of the 2024 season, the school switched to the Central State 8 conference. While some may have wondered if this would have an impact on the season, the Lady Railers, who had played a total of more than 40 games against gals from various conferences in 2023 were not concerned about the conference. Their only concern was beating every team within the conference and coming out on top at the end of the season in March 2024.

The ladies took that vow to heart and went through the season undefeated, and undoubtedly led into the championship by Froebe and her fellow seniors.

During that season Kloe broke records and upped her personal bests on several occasions. Here are the stats that LDN Sports Reporter Teena Lowery reported in her coverage of the championship game.

Here is a quick rundown of Froebe’s 2024 state records:

Most Points, State Tournament Career: 127

Most Points, Title Game: 36

Most Field Goals, Title Game: 11

Most Field Goals Attempted, Title Game: 18

Most Free Throws Made, Title Game: 14

Most Free Throws Attempted, Tournament Career: 73

Most Free Throws Attempted, Title Game: 19

Most Assists, Tournament Career: 21

For her entire career as a Lady Railer, Froebe finishes with an impressive 3,262 points.

Froebe’s outstanding performance in the 2024 season earned her the title of Gatorade Player of the Year, and also Ms. Basketball of Illinois.

Tuesday afternoon, Froebe and her parents Kent and Kari were met at the YMCA by the organizations board of director members and staff. The staff had set up a table with banners and an oversized copy of the check that had been provided through Gatorade.

Froebe went to the front of the room where she was joined by her parents and the board and staff members of the YMCA for a photo shoot of the check presentation.

Video: Gatorade Player of the Year Kloe Froebe presents a $1000 check to Lincoln YMCA Chairman Gandenberger

Then she officially presented the check to YMCA Board Charman Gilbert Gandenberger. He thanked her for her generosity.

Froebe then spoke saying that she had chosen the YMCA because it was where she started playing basketball in the very gym she was now standing in presenting the check. She said that since that time she has grown so much. She added that she had chosen the YMCA because she wanted to give back to where it all began. She also said that she wanted to inspire younger ones to become part of the game and learn and enjoy it as much as she had.

Springfield/Lincoln YMCA Executive Director Angie Sowle said that she wanted to express appreciation to Kent and Kari Froebe and all parents who encourage their children to get involved in physical activities. She said she understood the sacrifices that parents make to help see to it that their kids are involved and she wanted to express specific appreciation to the Froebe’s for their commitment to their daughter and the sport.

Also speaking was Joey Greenwood of the Lincoln YMCA who expressed his appreciation to Froebe and said that she was a role model for other young people growing up and it was appreciated.

Video: Kent Froebe discusses the value of the YMCA for his four children

Kent Froebe was the last person to speak. He said that he and Kari had four children and all four were active in basketball and all four had began playing at the YMCA. He said that he had not expected the nice set up for the presentation by he appreciated it greatly. He added that when the family learned that Kloe could make a donation to an area not for profit or charity Kloe and her parents had sat down to discuss what they would do with the money. He said based on their relationship with the YMCA, it just made good sense to give the money to this organization.

Froebe will be graduating on Saturday May 11th. On June 6th she will head to Colorado State where she will play basketball while earning her degree. Her intention is to study law and become an attorney in the future.

The money donated will go directly to the YMCA Strong Kids Fund which supports children and families by providing financial assistance, program subsidies, and community outreach. All donations stay right here in our community to improve the lives of our children and families. It allows individuals to participate in many programs such as soccer, basketball, after school, and so much more.

[Nila Smith]