By Katharine Cruise
Capturing the essence of leadership is a hard task to accomplish. Senior offensive tackle Breno Giacomini exudes all the qualities that it takes to be the best leader possible, and people are noticing.
Giacomini is a hard man to miss. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in around 300 pounds, he has been a big contributor to the University of Louisville football team. Giacomini has the unique ability to help U of L by playing both tackle and tight end.
“By getting the opportunity to play many different positions it has helped me become more versatile,” Giacomini said. “I can offer my team strength on both sides of the ball. Being able to do that has really made me a better player.”
Giacomini, who is originally from Malden, Mass., has been a key vocal leader of the offensive line, adding encouragement whenever he steps foot onto the field.
“I really get them cranked up,” Giacomini said. “It’s important when you get out on the field to focus on the next play, and I help keep everyone on the same level.”
U of L football head coach Steve Kragthorpe must have witnessed what Giacomini can offer on and off the playing field. Kragthorpe recently named Giacomini co-captain on this year’s team.
“I really wasn’t expecting to be named co-captain,” Giacomini said. “I take this honor with all pride.”
Giacomini’s outlook on this new responsibility has shown through this season.
“We’ve all put in a lot of work,” Giacomini said. I’m always trying to be a leader so I’m trying to go out with a big bang and show all of our family, friends and fans what we’ve practiced so hard for.”
Although many U of L football fans might have felt a twinge of nervousness this season, it seems as if the transition of a new head coach has gone over flawlessly for the players.
“It hasn’t really affected me that much,” Giacomini said. “It’s pretty much the same, the vocabulary is different, but everything is flowing well just like expected.”
Any U of L intramural enthusiast also knows how well Giacomini has dominated the basketball scene the last few years. Unfortunately, Giacomini said he will be unable to participate in intramural basketball due to his increasingly important role for the football team. His absence on the court this year will be missed.
A sports administration major, Giacomini has big plans for the future.
“I’ve always had the aspiration to get into the realty market,” Giacomini said. “Hopefully I will own my own business some day.”
The only thing fans have left to do is enjoy the games and hopefully watch Giacomini lead this team to a perfect season.
