Aug 1, 2017 By Eleanor Bailey 4 min read

Father knows best. Just ask Colby Sorsdal of Mt. Lebanon.

In eighth grade, he was this “awkward, tall kid” that loved to play hockey before dad convinced him that at 6-feet-5 and 290 pounds maybe his future was in football.

“I even played basketball before thinking about football,” said the 17-year-old rising senior. “I play football because of my dad.”

Sure, his father, Cory, played high school football for a school outside of Houston. He also went to Texas A&M but he did not play for the Aggies. The elder Sorsdal, instead, earned his degree and began a career as a finance professional turned executive in the energy industry. After 19 years, he brought his family to Pittsburgh and now he works in the home health industry. He is the owner and managing partner of LifeSpring Home Care of Pittsburgh. His wife, Toni, has served as chief operating officer since the company opened its doors in July 2014.

Sorsdal acknowledged his father’s influence. His suggestion altered his athletic endeavors.

“Because of my dad’s encouragement, I play football. He said it’s hard but fun and it teaches you something. As parents that’s their job to say that.”

But, Sorsdal realized his father was right. He says that there are three reasons why he plays football.

“One, I’m big. It supports me. Two, I love being physical,” he added. “Three and this is the most important, it teaches you valuable life lessons that you cannot get anywhere else.”

For Sorsdal, the most vital message he has picked up through football is perseverance.

“It may sound cliché but it’s ‘Don’t Give Up’,” he said. “Because after all the hard work and struggle, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Though he is about to embark on his final training camp in preparation for his senior season at Mt. Lebanon High School, Sorsdal, indeed, sees a finish line to his scholastic career. Currently, he is entertaining 14 offers from Division I college programs. Bowling Green is his top choice so far but he is considering offers from Connecticut, Central Florida, Holy Cross, Dartmouth, Brown, Ball State and Kent State. While he intends to major in business management, Sorsdal says that he has “no clue” regarding a career. “Perhaps something maybe in criminal justice or working for the FBI,” he added. “I’m not going to make a commitment though until after the season.”

Lebo head coach Mike Melnyk sees that as a good decision. When it’s football season at Lebo, that’s where the focus is, he says. Being uncommitted is not a distraction but it can serve as motivation.

“It’s another way to influence what you do but if you play hard, play your best, practice hard, then the rest takes care of itself.

“To this point, I think that Colby and (Coleman Coco, who recently committed to Colgate) have controlled what they could. They both are extremely hard workers. They have been strong in the weight room and turned themselves into Division I prospects.”

Experience has turned Sorsdal into a leader. Comfortable on both sides of the line, the returning starter will anchor Lebo’s offensive line at left tackle.

“Colby is an exceptionally strong leader along with Coleman. You expect that from your best players,” said Melnyk. “They set great examples for their teammates.”

Sorsdal is only following the example that was set for him years ago. As a sophomore on varsity, Sorsdal said that he learned from Paul Grattan, a 2016 graduate that now plays at Villanova.

“He was the biggest, meanest dude every,” Sorsdal said. “He taught us.”

From Grattan, Sorsdal not only learned the techniques of being a skilled linemen, he discovered that football is a “brotherhood” and it “feels great after going through the grind” of practice and training camp in preparation for games.

“We are brothers because of what we go through out there,” Sorsdal said.

That edge, Sorsdal hopes, equates success. He saw that happen last season when the Blue Devils captured a conference championship and advanced to the WPIAL playoffs. So Sorsdal has set the bar high for himself and his teammates.

“The goal is to win every game,” he said. “We are hungry and we want to do more this year. We can’t be satisfied. You can never be satisfied.”

Yet, another lesson learned by Sorsdal thanks to what has now become his favorite sport.