Officials

Bob Freels

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Officials

Schools / Organizations: IHSA
NCAA
MLB

Biography:  Bob Freels played professional basketball for the St Louis Browns in 1947 rather than accept a basketball scholarship to the University of Illinois after graduating from Mascoutah High School. That same year, Freels registered as an Illinois High School official in basketball. Freels continued officiating until 1989. His first district and regional assignments came in 1953. He worked state finals in 1965, 1966 and 1972.  At the time of his induction, Freels was still an active high school and collegiate baseball umpire. In 1979 he umpired for MLB, handling National League games in St. Louis. Freels was also a football official for 25 seasons.  Bob Freels died on October 7, 2002 at the age of 75.