John Banyasz was an exceptional student athlete for Columbia High School.  He was a four year starter on the Raiders Varsity football team, starting 39 games at quarterback beginning his freshman year.  After four years, John had set several school records which included: Most touchdown passes in a game with five, most touchdown passes in a season with 23, and most touchdown passes in a career with 57.  Other notable records set were: most yards passing in a game-415 yards, most passing yards in a season - 2,105 yards, and most passing yards in a career - 5,781 yards.  During his Junior year, John was a Chronicle Telegram Player of the Week in the Raiders 42-20 win over Black River, when he threw 11 completions of 17 attempts for 192 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.  He also ran seven times for 53 yards and completed a pass for a 2 point conversion.  In a big 47-14 win over Buckeye, John threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns and ran for an additional score.  He was selected to the Patriot Athletic Conference 1st Team, was named the conference Offensive Back of the Year, and was selected for the All Lorain County 1st Team, and the All Ohio 3rd Team.  

Notable games in John's Senior year were the Raiders 27-12 win over Chippewa, when he completed 16 of 21 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns and the Raiders 35-6 victory over Buckeye when John completed 15of 22 passes for 313 yards and a touchdown.  In the Patriot Athletic Conference, John again was selected for 1st Team & Offensive Back of the Year; 1st Team All Lorain County, was named as the Lorain County MVP-Offensive Back of the Year and earned All Ohio 3rd Team honors.

On the basketball court, John was a 3 year starter.  He was placed on the conference 2nd team as a sophomore, earned 1st Team honors as a Junior, and was the Raiders MVP.  John was selected Chronicle Telegram Player of the Week in a 58-54 win over Clearview as he scored 15 points, had six rebounds and five assists and again in a 61-55 victory over Oberlin where he had 20 points, six rebounds and six assists; John alos received the WEOL/First Place Bank Student Athlete Award.  Unfortunately, John suffered an injury and was not able to finish his Senior basketball season.

John attended Lake Erie College with a football scholarship and earned his Biology degree, with a Pre-Physical Therapy concentration. He continued his education at Walsh University and obtained a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.  John and his wife Becca, reside in Elyria.  He is currently working as a Physical Therapist in an outpatient setting at the Cleveland Clinic in Rocky River.