Alec Balon Signs Letter of Intent to Play Lacrosse at Alderson-Broaddus University
By Julie Perine on April 24, 2015 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Bridgeport High School senior Alec Balon has been playing lacrosse since he was in the sixth grade. This fall, he will play the sport at Alderson-Broaddus University.
Just this afternoon, Balon signed a letter of intent to continue the athletic quest on the college level. It's a sport for which he has developed quite a passion.
“It’s not like any other sport,” he said. “It’s hard to put into words how much effort it takes and how much you have to rely on your teammates. It’s something no other sport can do for you.”
He said the sport is perhaps most comparable is soccer, which he played this year at BHS. Balon also played football up through his freshman year.
It was easy to decide which sport he wanted to concentrate on and once he visited the campus of Alderson-Broaddus, it was an easy decision to play there.
“The head coach made me feel at home down there and the whole staff was warm and welcoming,” Balon said. “Also, I wasn’t too sure about leaving town and I wanted to try to stay close to my family.”
During the summer of 2014, Balon said he got a chance to play lacrosse with some members of A-B’s team. He has since become friends with many of them who will be his future teammates.
“It’s all worked out perfectly,” he said.
Balon switches between the positions of attack and midfield for the BHS Lacrosse Team. A division II team – which is similar to Class AA in other sports – the team plays schools including Capital, Martinsburg, Fairmont, Huntington, Preston County and St. Albans.
Thus far, the team is 7-0 with the last regular game of the season scheduled for Saturday.
“If we win, we’ll have the No. 1 seed in the state tournament,” Balon said.
The BHS team is coached by Jim Mullen, who has coached Balon in lacrosse since he first started playing the sport.
“He has definitely had a huge impact on me,” Balon said. “He nominated me for all these awards and scholarships and has gotten my name out there. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without him.”
Mullen spoke very highly of Balon, his talent and their long-term relationship with regard to lacrosse.
“I coached Alec since he was in sixth grade in the Talons youth program. I saw his love for the game then and knew he'd be special if he didn't lose interest,” Mullen said. “When he started high school, he was that rare freshman that brought the technical skills, game knowledge and maturity needed to compete at the varsity level immediately.”
He said Alec is an excellent lacrosse player - and an even better young man.
“His maturity and calmness make him a true leader on our team,” he said.
Mullen accompanied Balon at today’s signing as did his mother Paula, his dad Barry and sister Erica.
Balon will major in pre-med at Alderson-Broaddus.
