Broene, Gene (2020)

Gene Broene was a 1939 Grand Rapids Christian graduate who excelled at basketball in high school, college, the military, and with a local semi-professional team. After his GRCH graduation he spent two years plus one semester at Calvin College before joining the Army Air Corps in WWII in 1942. In 1946 he returned to Calvin for one semester before moving on to the University of Michigan where he earned a BA degree in Business Administration. Gene spent 35 years at Steelcase Inc., retiring in 1987 from his position as Vice President of Corporate Communications.

Gene led his GRCH teams to phenomenal success. In 1937-38, his junior season, the Eagles won the Class B State Championship in a game played at the Civic Auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids. The championship trophy was presented by Dr. James Naismith, the founder of the game of basketball. The next season, the Eagles joined the City League and won the championship in spite of being the only Class B team in a league of Class A teams. The 1938-39 team went to the State Championship game again, but this time finished as the runner-up when the opposing team made two free throws in the last 20 seconds to defeat the Eagles 33-32.

As a result of his outstanding play in his senior season, Gene earned several individual honors. He was named to the All-City Team and was named to the First Team All-State squad by two different Detroit newspapers. In the Regional Tournament, Gene scored 29 points in one game, more than the other team’s total. 

Gene next played at Calvin College. In his freshman year he made an immediate impact, starting about half of the games and averaging about 10 points per game. In his sophomore season he led the Knights in scoring, averaging 16 points per game while leading the team in winning the league championship. He was named to the All-Conference Team and the Michigan College All-State Team in the Michigan College Coaches Poll. 

In Gene’s junior season, he played only the first semester, again leading the team in scoring, before leaving college to join the military.  During the later part of his military service, Gene was a member of the 313th Troup Carrier Group basketball team, leading them to a record of 52-5 as the team’s top scorer. He returned to Calvin in January of 1946, and was again the team’s leading scorer, averaging 18 points per game. During that span he set the single-game individual scoring record of 31 points, this at a time when many teams hardly scored that many points in a game.

After his college days were over, Gene resumed his playing career with a local semi-pro team for three seasons. Gene continued to be recognized for his basketball accomplishments. In 1970, the Grand Rapids Central Christian 50th Anniversary Committee named him to its “All-Time Team.” In 1998, the Grand Rapids City League Coaches Selection Committee selected Gene as one of the top 50 players in league history. In 2019, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, as part of their “Retro Mr. Basketball” project, chose Gene as the State of Michigan’s Mr. Basketball for 1939.

In many ways, Gene was a player who was ahead of his time. He was one of very few players of his day who used a one-handed shot. His ability to go to his right and left was exceptional, making him very difficult to defend. Gene’s “shooter’s mentality” meant that he never met a shot he didn’t like. He said that a 50% shooter will average a point every time he shoots the ball.

Although he earned many individual honors, Gene was always quick to give credit to his teammates for the success they had. He would say that his selection to the Hall of Fame is more a reflection of his fellow players than his individual efforts.

Gene and his wife Jeanne had four children: Sandy VanEns, Lauren Snapper, Greg Broene and Debbie Clark. Their family includes 13 grandchildren, one of whom is GRCH Assistant Athletic Director Kevin Broene, and 12 great-grandchildren. Gene passed away in 2004.

Gene’s Favorite Scripture:  Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.