Teale's at his best when he's busy
Nov. 20, 2008 - Regina Leader-Post
By Tim Switzer
When people look back on Teale Orban's university career, his days on the football field will probably be the first things that come to mind.
But the now ex-quarterback of the University of Regina Rams wants to be remembered for more than that.
"If I do get to play football professionally, I don't want to be some schlep that that's my only thing," said Orban, whose university playing career came to an end with a 24-17 loss to the Calgary Dinos on Nov. 2. "I take some pride in the fact that once I'm done, I'll have a degree that counts as a degree and some real-world knowledge. That's something that's more important than football in the long run."
Come April, Orban will graduate with a Bachelor of Administration with a major in marketing (he'll also have the equivalent of a major in finance). As much as he is proud of being the Canada West all-time leader in passing yardage (9,449), passing touchdowns (76) and completions (685), there is another number he's not afraid to tell people -- his academic average, which falls at 79 per cent.
"The (achievements) are independent of each other," said Orban. "I work as hard as I can during football season towards that and whatever is left over goes to school work. But that being said, it is nice to be able to tell people your average and not be ashamed. I've got a lot of, 'Oh, you're not just a football player.' By no means am I a genius. But it's nice to know that even if I am playing pro football, there something there like (former Rams and current Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Chris) Getzlaf who's a financial analyst. I really respect it when guys can do both."
His academic credentials are a big reason Orban is up for the Russ Jackson Award at tonight's CIS All-Canadian Gala in Hamilton. The Jackson Award is given annually to a university football player who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Orban has the third category covered too. In addition to working a part-time job, he is a volunteer basketball coach and official, serves as the director of corporate relations with the Business Students' Society and is involved with Living Hope Alliance Church.
"When I'm busy I do a lot better at everything," Orban said Wednesday from Hamilton. "Last fall I only took three classes and didn't work and my marks weren't great. In the winter semester, I took five classes and was training for the (CFL evaluation) camp and I was working 10 or 15 hours a week. During that time, my marks were great and I got some of my best workouts in."
Orban was notoriously hard on himself for much of his Rams career and seems to be that way in the rest of his life too, admitting that he always wishes he could do more.
"The most frustrating part is when you feel like you're letting people down," said Orban. "I wanted to be on the (students' society) but during the season, I'm not much help. At church, I don't get to do much of the mid-week stuff and in the near future want to get more and more involved. I have a very strong faith and I attribute lots of my success to that."
Orban, a 2008 draft pick of the Roughriders, is still hoping to play professional football in the years to come, but also has his sights set on a career in advertising.
He didn't put his training to use in the past weeks to lobby the awards committee for a better shot at the Jackson Award. Though he has lost out on two previous Hec Crighton nominations and one Jackson nomination, he is happy to let the last big event of his U of R football career finish as it may.
"If I were to win, I don't even know if it would be the icing on the cake -- it would be the candle on top of the icing," said Orban. "I've been pretty blessed with everything and have had a chance to experience so many things, that just to be here again is pretty cool. The (coaches) that you play against choose, you to be here. It's extra special if I do get it, but I'm already very happy with everything. There's lots of guys here that deserve everything they're going to get and lots of guys back home that deserve much more. I'm just lucky I've been allowed to be here the last three years."
