By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
On Wednesday, senior Luis Balli became the first San Benito High School student-athlete to sign a letter of intent to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.
Balli, who played on the offensive line for the Greyhounds’ football team, became the third San Benito player to sign with the Division 1 collegiate football program, which is preparing for its second-ever season.
“I’m excited to be signing. When they told me about the signing, I was surprised,” Balli said as he donned a short-sleeve button down UTRGV Vaqueros shirt, white in color. “But, I’m thankful for being here, and the choice that was given to me to go to (college) so close.”
Balli’s football road is not long by any means. He began playing football when his family moved to San Benito three years ago. Before that, he played basketball at an IDEA school his freshman year.
He was on the ‘Hounds’ junior varsity team his first year and was moved up to varsity the same season and has stayed put ever since. Balli stands 6-foot 5 so he towered over most of his teammates.
Balli said his growth spurt began early on, going back to elementary school. So physically, he always stood out, but years later when it came to football, he credits many at San Benito Consolidated Independent School District for his development.
The ‘Hounds were 2-9 each of the past two seasons, but Balli doesn’t attribute records with success.
“I was blessed to be surrounded around good people, people like the coaching staff that are good men, good fathers for this world,” Balli said. “The admins, too, and even sometimes strangers off the street that give you direction.”
Balli will join offensive lineman Frank Medina and running back Fabian Garcia as Vaqueros teammates. He spoke to Garcia the day he was offered the scholarship.
Both men said the UTRGV program is sound, which made Balli’s decision that much easier.
“If they didn’t feel comfortable there, I wouldn’t have signed, but they feel good about playing nearby,” Balli said.
Garcia, at the moment, is preparing for his second season, while Medina was diagnosed with leukemia late last year.
In fact, Garcia, just last week, led a fundraising effort to with proceeds going to his teammate. Garcia opened a new fundraising organization called Vaquero Up.
The duo were part of a Vaqueros team that finished third place with a 5-3 record in the 10-team Southland Conference. The Vaqueros were 9-3 overall.
“For my family, the world of football is something they know so they are very excited for me,” Balli said.
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