By Cristy Brusoe
UWRF Sports Information

“The aspect of football that I enjoy the most is the brotherhood you share with your teammates,” Ben Arata, senior defensive back for the UW-River Falls football team said.

Arata grew up in what he describes as “the very football-oriented town” of Menomonee Falls, Wis.

“I started playing football in the 6th grade. It was always one of my dreams to play college football and I believe one of my greatest accomplishments is doing just that,” Arata explained.
Although he wasn’t recruited here, Arata has been a stand-out defensive back and player since arriving at River Falls. Arata recorded 38 tackles as a freshman, 57 as a sophomore and 66 as a junior.

He was also awarded with the 2008 defensive player of the year award and is one of the team’s captains for the 2009 season.
Still, Arata knows that he has come a long way since his freshman year. “I showed up to two-a-days not knowing anyone, coming from a long-distance and just playing a game I love. I look back on it and see now how lucky I am to have been a starter since my freshman year and it is due to the support of my family.”

With a bit of persuasion from his father on campus visit day, Arata went into the football office and spoke with the coaches. “[The coaches] seemed happy with my decision to give football a shot without knowing who I was,” Arata said.

It is this coaching staff that, Arata believes, has put the team in the best situations to excel both on and off the field. “I believe this is the best team I have been a part of and am happy to be still a part of. I am privileged to have been able to look back on my life and say that I have been a part of this school and this program.”

Head Coach John O’ Grady knows Arata plays a significant role in the team’s defensive secondary.

“He has been a very good safety for us through a number of transitions in our defensive philosophy. He is very talented and can play physical football,” he said.

Arata came up with one of the biggest plays in team history in the Falcons 40-27 win over Alma College on Sept. 26 at Ramer Field. With Alma driving, the quarterback threw a pass that was deflected into Arata’s hands at the Falcon one-yard line. Arata took off down the sideline and scored on the 99-yard return. The touchdown tied the score at the time, 14-14, and the Falcons were able to go on for the win.

Last year Arata led the Falcons with four interceptions. He enters the last week’s and his Falcon career with seven interceptions and 190 career tackles.

This year’s football team holds a record of 3-5 with two games remaining on Nov. 7 at Stevens Point and Nov. 14 against Eau Claire at Ramer Field.

Despite the record, Arata knows the team has been strong-willed and will continue to fight. “This year’s team has done a great job fighting through this season and shown a lot of resiliency.”

The Falcons have played three overtime games and are 1-2 in those contests. A big win came last weekend when the Falcons beat UW-Platteville, 31-28, in overtime. This year’s team has lost four games by a total of nine points, but that hasn’t stopped Arata and his teammates from giving determined efforts in every contest.