Benjamin Dato, a 2008 Gabelli School of Business graduate with a degree in business management and a minor in communications, continued a run of outstanding punters with the Ram football squad from 2004-2007.
        A consensus All-American in 2007, Dato was co-recipient of the 2008 Vincent T. Lombardi Memorial Award, presented to the school’s top male athlete. That season, he set the school’s single season punting yards record with 2,992, a record which still stands, while his 2007 punting average of 44.7 yards/punt is the third best in Fordham history.
        After handling kickoffs and long field goals, connecting on a 44-yarder, his first two years at Fordham, Dato took over as the punter in 2006, averaging 44.6 yards/punt and earning third team All-America and first team All-Patriot League honors. His 44.6 punting average led the Patriot League and ranked third in the NCAA FCS.
        As a senior, Dato averaged 44.7 yards/punt, earning All-America and first team All-Patriot League accolades. He again led the League and ranked third in the NCAA FCS in punting average. 
        Over his career, Dato punted 125 times for 5,579 yards, an average of 44.6 yards/punt.  His 44.6 yards/punt average is a Fordham career record, surpassing Barry Cantrell’s mark of 39.9 yards/punt set between 1994 and 1997.  Dato also is ranked fifth on Fordham’s all-time punt yardage list.
        Following graduation, Dato signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
                A native of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Dato currently resides in his hometown where he serves as a personal trainer. He is engaged to Kyrstle Cox.