While Benton Gieni attended Unity Comprehensive High School he played a big role on the Warriors football team. He graduated from high school and went on to the University of Regina where he is a big part of the Regina Rams football team.
This year Gieni's experience and leadership garnered him a team captain. The second-time captain is also balancing the school portion, as he is enrolled in the Faculty of Business Administration and will finish with a masters in finance.
Gieni has played for the Rams all five of his years at the U of R. In 2008, he played in seven of the team's eight regular season games as a backup defensive tackle. Gieni was one of just four Rams on the 2008 roster to come straight out of high school without utilizing a redshirt season.
He made an impact with the Rams in every season he has played and this season Gieni has collected a fumble recovery and an interception, a rarity for a defensive lineman.
"He is a natural leader, confident and a good communicator," said Pat Orobko, Gieni's former coach with the UCHS Warriors. "He relishes challenges and people naturally rally around him. He was our leader in 2007 when we won the provincial championship. When we needed a game changer he provided it, when someone needed a pep talk he could do it and when we needed a light moment or a laugh Ben would provide that too. His personality is one of taking change and so I am not surprised he is a Rams' captain."
Gieni and the Rams are 1-1 in the regular season and have six games remaining in the Canada West Conference including a Friday night tilt in Edmonton. For now the focus is on this season, but Gieni would definitely welcome a future in football once he graduates.
"It would be an awesome experience if I received enough interest to go and take part in a CFL camp and hopefully play a few years in the CFL. However, if that does not pan out I am looking to pursue a career with my finance background and after seriously putting thought into entering a master's program."The UCHS Warriors have graduated football players to the U of R Rams, the UBC Thunderbirds and the U of S. Huskies and are back started their season of high school football once again.
