Lion basketball teams surprise super fans with signed balls

(Above) CLHS basketball fans Barb and Jeff Asche were recently presented with basketballs signed by each Lion team. Rick Formanek, who is employed by MercyOne Home Care and father of a member of the Lions boys team, arranged the gift. -Reporter photo.

by Michelle Watson

There are two kinds of sports fans - the fair weather fans, who like their team only when they’re winning, and true fans, the ones who have their teams’ back no matter if they win or lose.  Jeff Asche and his mother, Barb, fall into the “true fan” category.  Last week Jeff and Barb were recognized by the Clear Lake High School girls and boys basketball teams for their commitment and dedication to the Lions.

Jeff, age 32, was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  He attended Clear Lake schools from kindergarten through junior high.  The family moved to Alexander during Jeff’s high school years and he graduated from CAL-Dows High School. When the family returned to Clear Lake, Jeff began to follow the Lion’s sports teams once again.

Barb is also a big Clear Lake fan.

“I was a Clear Lake cheerleader in 1960-61 and I’m still cheering for them,” said Barb.

Barb and Jeff listen to the games live on the radio and watch them together on CL Tel on Demand.

“It is so nice that I can see the games, because I can’t go out in the cold,” said Jeff.

Jeff has especially enjoyed watching both basketball teams this year.  When asked if he had favorite players, Jeff picked Sara Faber and Andrew Formanek.

“I like how both of them play,” said Jeff.  “They are team players and they share the ball, they are not all 

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about themselves.  I also like Sara because she can really shoot the threes.  I hope she does well in college.”

Rick Formanek, who works for MercyOne Home Care, brings supplies and medicine to the Asche home.  Rick’s son, Andrew Formanek, is on the boys basketball team.

“I noticed that Jeff always had the basketball games on TV and we started talking about the games and that my son is on the team,” said Rick.

Rick took it upon himself to purchase two basketballs and take them to the high school for the girls and boys teams to sign.  Rick delivered the basketballs to Jeff as a special surprise.

“I was so surprised,” said Jeff.  “All I could say was, ‘wow.’”

“People like Jeff don’t get to go out much and it was so good for him to be remembered,” said Barb.  “It meant a lot to both of us.”

“I just wanted to put a smile on their faces,” said Rick.  “To take their minds off his health.  The athletes were very pleased to do this and they thought it was a neat experience.”

In addition to the Lions, Jeff and Barb also follow the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“I’m not so much into professional teams,” said Jeff.  “Especially since Colin Kaepernick wouldn’t stand for the National Anthem.  I like it when the players aren’t doing it for the money or the attention.  I like teams and players that are playing for scholarships or for school pride.”

One thing is for certain, Jeff and Barb will be tuned in this week as the girls continue their quest for a State title and the boys continue their journey on the tournament trail.

“I hope they all do well and go all the way to a championship.  They all work so hard, they deserve it,” said Barb.

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