Zacamo Bowl Honors Frankfort Native's Legacy By Giving Back

FRANKFORT, IL — Nearly three years after Frankfort native Zac Plantz was killed tragically in a car accident in Florida, the effort to keep his legacy alive will continue this weekend with an event that has raised more than $200,000 in the past two years.

The third annual Zacamo Bowl will be held on Saturday at Providence Catholic High School. The event, which features a unique 6-on-6 flag football tournament benefits the Zac Plantz Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to shepherding young men and women who are committed to making the world a better place.

Last year’s event drew 12 teams and 150 spectators, which continued a tradition started in 2021 a year after Plantz died at the age of 27. The two flag football tournaments have raised more than $200,000 as part of a fundraising effort that takes place before the one-day tournament even begins.

Participating teams raise money ahead of the event, which will begin at 9:45 a.m. with the national anthem before games kick off at 10 a.m. The event will wrap up at 2 p.m. This year’s event will also include a wellness fair that will take place while the games are ongoing, organizers said.

In addition, the event features a family-friendly environment that will include food trucks and free merchandise from the Zac Plantz Foundation will be handed out to the first 200 people who arrive. The event is free.

“This event is special and unique because playing football during Zac’s high school years at Providence was a key factor in shaping him into the man he was, which in turn influenced the pillars of our foundation: faith-based education, service & leadership, and health and wellness initiatives,” Angela Jensen, a member of the event planning committee said. “This event is truly a reflection of the foundation’s mission and goals, and we love that the community gets to join in on the fun doing what Zac loved the most while we aim to make a better tomorrow for young women and men.”

Since the foundation was formed after Plantz’s death, the not-for-profit has hosted seven major events while raising awareness in the Frankfort and New Lenox communities. In addition to the two Zacamo Bowl events, the foundation has hosted 5K runs, black-tie charity events and other activities to benefit the community.

Of the money raised more than $27,000 has been donated to community initiatives while another $21,500 has been designated for scholarships for students attending Catholic high schools in the greater Chicago area. The foundation’s board has also established a $350,000 endowment fund that ensures the long-term sustainability of the foundation to ensure that Plantz’s legacy can live on.