Ben Banatao Continues Playing Football After One Year Break

by JAKE LIEBERMAN

Menlo alumnus and football player Ben Banatao (‘22) is transferring to Trinity College to continue his football career. After one year being a student at University of Colorado Boulder, Banatao is making the transition to continue not only his academic but also his athletic career at Trinity.

Throughout his Menlo career, Banatao was a star wide receiver for the Knights. He had numerous game changing and impressive moments, including long touchdown catches, to fantastic tackles to punt returns. He was a versatile player and will look to use that skill set at the NCAA DIII level.

Banatao is known for his speed, where he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. Listed as 6-feet, 170 pounds, Banatao forces defensive programs to focus on his extreme speed.

Banatao is excited for the academic opportunities granted at a small college.

“I disliked the large student population at Boulder because I found it challenging to receive individualized help in certain classes, Banatao said.“I wasn’t very satisfied with my experience as a student, and I didn’t feel challenged to think critically the same way I felt at Menlo.”

Banatao was drawn to the versatility of Trinity not only on the football field but in the classroom. “I was drawn to the unique blend of elite liberal arts education and athletics, which the NESCAC conference is well-known for.”

While Banatao took a year off of football, he realized he was missing something, and is eager to get some of the experiences back. In particular, Banatao mentioned the camaraderie of being on a team. “The brotherhood, camaraderie, and structure it brought to my everyday life.” He also talked about how he felt uncomfortable having so much free time. “I felt uncomfortable having a lot of free time and just sitting around all day without the routine and sense of community that football provided.”

Banatao was able to see their championship game which they won and that resulted in a 9-0 season. “It was a breathtaking experience to witness the love and trust between the team and the coaching staff.” As the school year is winding down, Banatao plans to finish out the spring semester at Colorado and start attending Trinity in the late summer or fall when practice begins.