Seton LaSalle staff a close-knit family
When Nick Balzer was hired as coach at Seton LaSalle, he didn’t need to make any phone calls to put a staff together. His phone was ringing before he told anyone he got the job.
“I never even had to ask,” said Balzer.
There has never been any secrets between this tightknit group that goes way back. For Balzer and his staff, they’ve long kept it all the family.
After collecting numerous championships in their playing days, Balzer has teamed up with his brother Tyler and cousins Mark DelGreco and Dave DelGreco for another run at leading the Rebels to greatness.
Nick Balzer graduated from the school in 2007, while Mark DelGreco graduated in 2006, Dave DelGreco in 2009 and Tyler Balzer in 2011. Between them they have seven WPIAL gold medals and four PIAA golds.
The next challenge for this decorated group is to coach the Rebels to those same heights. Their runs at Seton LaSalle are unforgettable and they want the next generation of Rebels to relish in those same feelings. That’s why they could not wait to get together for another shot at reliving it all.
“The joy that we have now is the same that we had years ago,” said Balzer. “We’re chomping at the bit.”
Soccer was a common bond for all four while growing up in the South Hills. There were pickup games at Whitehall Field. Each time there was a family gathering, and there were many in the large family, it was yet another opportunity to take to the field.
That competitive fire burned throughout their prolific high school careers. They each went their separate ways to college, including Balzer, who played at Wheeling Jesuit before returning home.
“If it wasn’t for Seton LaSalle, I would not have gotten a scholarship, played in college or gotten my job,” said Balzer.
They ended up right back where they started. Balzer and his staff were assistant coaches last season before Balzer was offered the fulltime job. Now, it’s just like the old days, although some things are bit different from those carefree high school days. Each has a career and family obligations. They run the gamut from single to engaged to married with children.
“There’s some juggling that goes with this and the wives and fiances deserve a lot of credit,” said Balzer, who has three children. “It’s not easy.”
The coaching staff shares a universal mindset. They finish each other’s sentences. When one is watching play on the field, another will be talking to players on the sideline. Even when they aren’t in earshot, they know what each other is saying. They also have the same championship goals in mind.
“We’re all thinking the same thing,” Balzer said. “We all want to see this idea come to life. How special would that be?”
Monessen
Alice Frolo loved talking soccer with her grandson, Cam. She would ask him about his games, chat about how he and the team were doing and go over upcoming matches.
When she passed away early in the morning Oct. 12, Cam was devastated. He wasn‘t sure if he could play that night with his Greyhounds against McKeesport. After talking it over with his family, he knew the perfect way to honor his grandmother.
Cam was sitting at 95 career goals. He was going to miss the Oct. 15 finale against Jeannette to be with his family. Monessen was not in contention for a playoff spot. That meant he had one game to score five goals and reach 100 for his career. So, he laced up his cleats. He taped his wrists and wrote on them, “I dedicate this game for you and I love you grandma.”
Frolo began the game on a tear, netting four goals in the first half. During halftime, a scheduled event took place in which cancer survivors were honored. Alice Frolo had passed away after a battle with cancer.
Emotions were running high for Cam Frolo. His pace slowed considerably in the second half as he sat one goal away from history.
Midway through the second half, Frolo received a pass, charged to the net, made a quick turn to his left and booted in the 100th goal of his career in his final high school game. He dedicated the historic performance to his grandmother.
“I know she was there in spirit watching me play,” Frolo said. “She would have been happy.”