Vasile Balouris is a coach's dream
"We kind of demand a standard of excellence here at Pine-Richland and in our school district," says Rams football coach Jon LeDonne. "And (Balouris) fits that mold."
Though he doesn't exactly fit the mold for your typical receiver and db.
But for what he lacks in height - he makes up for in grit.
"You make can't yourself taller, you can't worry about what other people are doing," Balouris says. "You just have to do everything for yourself to make sure you're the best you can be."
Mr. Reliable for the Rams, the two-year starter credits a rigorous wellness routine with keeping him in the game
"Foam roll and stretch every morning, keep lifting during the season, eating right, sleeping right," he says. "As long as you're 100 percent and can give 100 percent every play, that'll help you go really far."
But Vasile Balouris is more than just football.
He's a star student, recently receiving a perfect ACT score, and a near-perfect SAT score. It's a mentality that started at home.
"My dad, he's always on me about getting my work done, my homework. No matter what everyone else does, he always says, 'you're not like everyone else.' He always put a focus on academics, especially over sports. School comes first."
And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to service.
"Any time I need someone to step up, his mom and dad are the first ones to raise their hand and help us out, as well," says LeDonne.
The Balouris family is highly involved in the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, participating in community outreach and volunteering at the popular Greek food festival. But for Balouris, church isn't all that different than football.
Faith is important to me, my relationship with God," he says. "Having a church is like having another whole family, just like football. Having two whole families is awesome."
Balouris has the intangibles that make a leader for the rams this season - and the values teammates notice without saying a word
"Do things the right way, the way I know how to do them," he says. "People often follow if you show them the way."
Adds LeDonne: "He goes 110 percent out there and leaves his heart on the football field."
