Loukas Coussoule '17 Recruiting Profile

The game of football has taught me that life can be changed in a split second. During a game in the middle of my junior season, I paced back and forth on the sidelines as my best friend was taken away on an ambulance, ultimately given the diagnosis of a broken neck and months of recovery time. All I could think about was what was going to happen next and what I could do to best help him.  It then came to me as I was running back onto the field, my job was to instill a presence of authority on the field to be aggressive and resilient and ultimately be the figure that protects the rest of my teammates. Aggression and mental toughness is key to this sport, and I am the one person that’s actions can ensure the game of football changes my life and future teammates’ lives in a split second for the better. From first being introduced to the sport in flag football to the last two seasons representing my high school team as both defensive and offensive lineman, where our team earned the distinction of winning back-to-back state championships, football has always been the most influential part of my life. I am looking forward to next year’s season, as a captain, senior and seasoned varsity player, to motivate and hopefully help lead our team into three-in-row championships, which we have already started preparing for in the weight room and on the track. In addition to football, I have been part of the track and field team as a thrower for the last three years and was the heavyweight for my high school varsity wrestling team which won the state championships both years. In addition to continuingly improving in the classroom, I have been working hard conditioning and I strive to meet my personal goals in the weight room before the end of my senior year. My journey in the weight room has not been easy, but that is exactly why it is one of my favorite places to be because through hard work and dedication you can change your life. Starting as a freshman benching 180lbs to finishing my junior year benching 325lbs, the motivation and drive I've developed leaves me incredibly optimistic for my end goal of benching 400lbs by the time I receive my diploma. From sports as a whole, I have learned the importance of discipline and how that affects how successful you are in school and in all aspects of life. I have learned that playing sports is not just about how talented you are on the field but more importantly your personal drive to protect and a player’s specific character - being respectful, hard-working, and open to change and always put the effort in to continually improve and as our coaches instill in us to “play to the whistle”.  I have always thought that wearing the number on my team shirt meant more than just being on the team, I had earned the privilege to contribute, protect,  and represent the team, on and off the field. This is a characteristic of who I am and what I believe. Coming from two military families, I have learned life lessons, from my Grandfathers, that will help me throughout conquering life’s challenges. These are the important skills that go with being part of a team; respect, work ethic, and being mentally tough and pushing through whether it is in the classroom or on the football field.  Having interest in various college degree programs, I am still working through what programs would best suit me. With influence from my motivational grandfathers, I have always had an interest in possibly participating in ROTC/military programs. Football is not just a sport to me, its my lifestyle. My enthusiasm and personal drive to play college football is routed from the inspirational words of the great Muhammad Ali: : “The fight is far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, out there on the road, long before I dance under the lights.” (M. Ali)