Angela Froboese was hired to form a softball team at Southwestern University only four years ago, but she has quickly established herself and the team as one of the best within the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).

Froboese was recently named SCAC Coach of the Year in softball for the third year in a row. She was selected by other coaches in the SCAC, which is comprised of 12 universities in the United States, 10 of which compete in softball. Froboese credits the softball players and her assistant coaches in helping her win this award. In addition to being named SCAC Coach of the Year, the team won the SCAC Conference Tournament and an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2010 and won the regular season in the west half of the conference all three years.

“In order for me to win the (Coach of the Year) award three years in a row, it took amazing players who were brought into the program,” Froboese said. “I think the main reason we received this award is because the players have done so well on the field.”

She said one of the most important aspects of her job is to recruit quality softball players and students. Froboese spends most of her weekends recruiting at high schools throughout Texas and even recruits outside of the state. She said next year will be a milestone for her as her first players at Southwestern walk across the stage to graduate.

“All of my upcoming seniors have done well on the field and in the classroom. I have always been proud of them, but I think this will be one of my proudest moments,” Froboese said.

Originally from Katy, Froboese played softball all four years in high school. She attended Stephen F. Austin University, where she played softball and stayed as a graduate assistant for two years. Prior to starting at Southwestern, she also coached at Howard Payne University for four years. While at Howard Payne, she worked with Southwestern’s current sports information director, Megan Hardin. Hardin informed her of the position and urged her to accept the challenge.

Froboese said she has enjoyed her time at Southwestern. She said one of the best parts of her job is working with the other coaches on staff, several of whom have also been recognized as Coaches of the Year by the SCAC.

“The coaching staff here is pretty awesome. It helps knowing that there are already good programs in place. The fact that all of the programs here have had great years helps the recruits buy into the program,” she said.

She said she hopes to make it to Regionals next year and she continues to strive to help her team be as good as possible in school and on the field.

“We may not have won the overall conference this year, but I think the Coach of the Year Award recognizes the players and the overall team,” Froboese said. “I feel very privileged. There are a lot of well-deserving coaches.”

−Kristen McLaughlin