Get to Know Us (part 4)

Benjamin Kenji Saito Tateoka was born and raised in a small rural farming community in southern Idaho. He grew up helping his father on the sugar beet farm. From the age of five he picked up a hoe and started working in the sugar beet fields. At the age of twelve, he gave up his promising career in major little league baseball to start working on the farm full time. Working under the hot Idaho sun taught him the value of hard work and an education.

He played high school football all four years and received his varsity letter his freshman year. He participated in student government, FCCLA, BPA, speech and debate. The year before his junior and senior year, Benjamin opted out of mandatory team football camp to pursue another interest of his; ballroom dancing. He spent a week at BYU-Idaho and learned the basics of cha-cha, samba, rumba, triple-step, waltz and the foxtrot. The girl to guy ratio was in his favor and it was an added plus that he was a varsity football starter.

Benjamin’s senior year was his best year. As student body president, he noticed a void of school spirit at sporting events. He went to local business and received $200 in donation to start Valley high schools first pep club. The Black and Blue Crew was a hit. With the generous donations from local businesses, membership was free and the Blue Crew shirts were cheap making the Blue Crew the biggest school club. To this day, the Black and Blue Crew carry the same shirt design on their t-shirts.

Six years later, Benjamin still loves football and is involved in the community. He is studying public relations and is an avid BYU Cougar fan and has season tickets to see all of their home games. He has served in various positions on the executive board of BYU's Annual Giving Fund, Choose to Give, and is actively involved in BYU's Multicultural Student Services. He loves his family and loves having a good time with friends.