Luke Passo has earned more at-bats for Illiana Christian this season than he did on the junior varsity team in his first two seasons combined.
That’s a testament to the junior outfielder’s dedication and development in the offseason.
“I didn’t play as well as I’d like to, so that motivated me to become a better player overall,” Passo said. “My first two years didn’t go as planned. So I decided, ‘I’m going to hit, I’m going to throw, I’m going to get better at the skill positions I need to.’ I knew I had it in me. I just had to work for it.
“I was not prepared. It was my own fault. I wasn’t putting in the work I should’ve freshman and sophomore year, and I realized that. I had to come to the realization that I had to put in more work myself.”
Passo’s determination has paid dividends. When Illiana (21-9) plays in the Class 2A state championship game at Victory Field on Saturday in search of its third straight title, he figures to line up as the right fielder.
Passo will take a .297 batting average and 11 RBIs into the matchup against Providence (21-7), which won state titles in 2016 and 2021.
Illiana coach Jeff VanderWoude understands how Passo has managed to do it.
“Just resilient,” VanderWoude said. “We had an opening in the outfield spot, and we were running people through it left and right and were saying, ‘Hey, this spot’s there for people to take.’ He worked in it, he worked himself out, then he worked himself back in, and he’s never given it up since. Like I said, resilient. It’s what we preach about, and he took it upon himself and made good. I’m proud of him.
“Last year on JV, he didn’t even play that much, and now he’s starting on a team that’s going to state. That says a lot about him and his work ethic and not giving up on himself, which I love.”
Passo, who played basketball in Illiana’s lower levels during his first two years, decided to focus on baseball and described his turnaround as “a group effort of people around me.” He said there were times in the “dead of winter” that were particularly challenging. But others helped drive him.
“My parents (Bill and Sherry) pushed me,” Passo said. “I have to give them a lot of credit. They were there for me. And really the coaches too. All the coaches really played a part. They saw it in me, so they wanted to push it out of me. And I had to execute.”
Passo has also relied on his brother Marc, a freshman on the JV white team at Lake Central, which will be competing for the 4A state title in the game following Illiana’s.
“He’s supported me too,” Passo said. “He’s someone I can go to if I’m struggling. He’s there for me. We have a great bond.”
Passo also has strong bonds with players on his team.
“He’s a great teammate,” Illiana senior shortstop Isaac VanderWoude said. “He’s definitely surprised me this year. He’s worked hard, and it’s paid off. He’s been a big key in the middle of our lineup. He’s had some timely hits, he’s a good outfielder and he just keeps getting better.”
Senior catcher Aaron Gouwens has an appreciation for the path Passo has traveled.
“First-year varsity starter and he’s done very well in the outfield for us,” Gouwens said. “He’s had a couple of big hits this postseason. He’s been really good for us. He came in when we needed someone in the outfield and really stepped up.”
Jeff VanderWoude said Passo is easygoing outwardly, belying an internal fire.
“He’s a little out there, but he’s a great kid, hard worker,” Jeff VanderWoude said. “He’s a fun kid. He’s different, unique. And that’s the beauty of a team. You have a bunch of different personality types, and they all jell together. You have the ones that make you laugh, the ones that are very serious.
“Luke is definitely more on the jokester side. What I love about him, he can take a joke. He doesn’t take himself too seriously. But with that persona, he’s competitive as all heck. You don’t see it right away, but it’s there. You see it when he competes. Because of his personality and he’s joking, people don’t look at him like that. But Luke is definitely a competitor.”
So Passo wants to add another title to Illiana’s collection and continue to make strides.
“There’s levels to improve,” he said. “Where I am right now, it’s a good place to be. But there’s definitely more to improve on, take that next step in my play.”
