Concordia adds a local commit to their Class of 2018.
Danil Balan, an offensive lineman from Vanier College, had the chance to continue his career in Pennsylvania, but his heart belonged in the city of his birth, so he joined the Concordia Stingers instead.
Balan had interest from multiple NCAA schools, including an offer from Slippery Rock University. But, the product of Montreal, Quebec, wanted to stay home.
“I chose Concordia because it plays in the RSEQ, which has the highest level of competition in U Sports football, it’s English and I get to stay home and train with my trainer, Mike Alfonso, who runs the best athletic gym in the country, SSTS,” Balan said. (SSTS stands for Speed Science Training Systems).
“The coaching staff is just incredible after taking over the program and changing it into a winning culture. They are friendly and push you to compete every single time. That’s what I enjoy,” Balan added. “I’m the type of guy who will push myself to the limit to succeed, so it just seemed like a perfect combination.”
Already with a trainer that he admires, Balan has found another mentor on the Stingers. He said that Coach Ted Karabatsos is the type of coach who will make sure you understand everything. “He will always be there to make you succeed. There’s a reason he is one of the greatest o-line coaches in the country,” Balan said.
Interested in either business management or history, Balan knows he will have academic support from the coaches as well. “They care about your future in academics and do everything they can to help you succeed on and off the field for a great future,” he said.
Standing at 6’2, 300lbs, Balan spent his cégep career with the Vanier Cheetahs (RSEQ Division 1). Before that, he played a year with the North Shore Mustangs (North Shore Football League) in 2014. He also spent three years with the Lakeshore Football Association.
The Stingers football team is thrilled to welcome extraordinary offensive lineman Danil Balan (Vanier Cheetahs) to the Concordia family. pic.twitter.com/FiduLRQLCG
— Concordia Stingers (@The_Stingers) November 6, 2017
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