Gierula was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania and attended William Allen High School. Gierula attended college at the University of Maryland, where he played football as a guard. He played on the offensive line alongside Maryland football greats Bob Ward and Dick Modzelewski. Gierula was said to have played "his best game of the year" in the 1950 upset win over number-two Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan.