Passing And Pitching: A Passion
Chase Hoeber talks about going from the court to the field
Senior Chase Hoeber signs his letter of intent at Parkland College on Nov. 14 as part of National Signing Day.
March 15, 2019
Being a major contributor to two different sports in one year has been a big deal to senior Chase Hoeber. In his final year of high school, not only has he developed to be dedicated student, but he’s also been involved on two of Liberty’s sports teams in basketball and baseball.
Hoeber was put into sports when he was around 3 years old as he grew up around sports in general from an early age. His true love for baseball started when he was 7 years old when he really found out how much he enjoyed to play the sport. Both of his parents pushed him to be the athlete he is today.
“[My parents] pushed me to be the athlete I am today not just on the field or in the gym, but off the field too,” Hoeber said. “They have done everything they can to get me where I am now.”
During the basketball season, Hoeber brought out physical education teacher and coach Mr. Jolliff for teacher appreciation night. Hoeber says that Jolliff has been a huge help to him along the way throughout his four years of high school.
A former baseball coach for the Eagles, Jolliff has seen Hoeber develop right in front of his eyes for the past four years he’s been a high school student. Not only is he proud of how far Hoeber has come from being an athlete, but he’s someone he can count on to be a great student as well in the classroom.
“His mental development as an athlete is what sets him apart [from others],” Jolliff said.
Being a pitcher not only has Hoeber had a true love for baseball for the past four years, but he also was involved in basketball here at Liberty. He didn’t play his junior year of basketball as he found out how different it was from AAU, or travel basketball, to playing in high school. After missing the sport, he decided to come back and play his senior year on the varsity team and he was glad he made the decision to do so.
“Baseball is my main sport but I still loved playing basketball,” Hoeber said. “It makes me a better athlete and they both bring me around some of my best friends I’ll never forget playing with.”
Not only has Hoeber made friends on the field, but he has made true friends in baseball away from the field as well. His teammates see him as someone who works very hard on the field, in the court and in the gym. Senior Chase Mitchell is one of his teammates from baseball who has had a close bond with him that goes beyond the past four years of high school.
“He’s like a brother to me, I’ve known him since kindergarten and we’ve always been really close,” Mitchell said.
After Hoeber finishes his high school career for baseball, he plans on attending Parkland College (Champaign, Illinois) to play the same sport. It only goes up from high school and his peers have no doubt that everything will be successful for the senior that isn’t only hardworking on and off the field, but a friend and a son that makes many others proud.
