Biography

As a 6’2” 225 pound offensive guard, Peter Golenia was the proverbial “Blue Collar” player.  A tireless, determined worker, who like most lineman labored in obscurity, Golenia was a “lineman’s lineman.”

As a two year starter for the Shamrocks at offensive guard Golenia was outstanding. As a junior, he was one of the key cogs for Coach Matt Lanagan’s option offense that had a 7 win 3 loss season and averaged a potent 33 points a game!  When Lanagan needed a destroyer to escort fleet-footed Hall of Fame speedster John Fitzsimmons around end, he pulled Golenia’s number.

As a senior Golenia was introduced to new Coach Gary Doherty who incorporated an interior running game built around a junior fullback named Gazzola. As a drive blocker, Golenia had no peer. He would blast tunnels for the Feehan backs to rumble through.  Coach Doherty saw Golenia’s abilities and expanded his résumé to included “starting defensive tackle.”

One of Golenia’s most gratifying moments and finest two way efforts was the second game of the season when he led Feehan to a stunning 15-2 upset of a highly favored North Attleboro team who had upended the # 1 team in the state (Xaverian) the previous week.

Led by Golenia’s take no prisoners attitude, and the talented efforts of junior LB’s Gazzola and Cataldo, Feehan rolled through the 1996 season shutting out three opponents (Dartmouth 28-0, Oliver Ames 21-0 and Stang 28-0) while holding four others to a TD or less (North 2 points, Somerset 8, Attleboro 8 and Coyle 2) on their way to a sparkling 8-2-1 record.

For his skills on the gridiron Peter was named to the Boston Globe Division III , Eastern Athletic Conference, Sun Chronicle and Pawtucket Evening Times all star teams.  Peter also was awarded Feehan’s prestigious Father Gorman Award for the outstanding student and citizen.  Golenia went on to play football at the University of Rhode where he earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.  He is now a clinical professor of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Southern Nevada.