Danika Thiele
Contributing Writer
The annual Charles R. Rubado Memorial Golf Scramble is scheduled for March 28 at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course.
The money raised will be split between the FSC Army ROTC Cadet fund and a scholarship in the name of Charles R. Rubado.
A former Florida Southern College ROTC student, Rubado graduated in 2004 and joined the military. He was killed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005.
Second Lieutenant Charles Rubado graduated from Florida Southern College with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. In college he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and commissioned Army officer. He also married his college sweetheart, Mary-Anne, a year before graduating in 2004.
Rubado was assigned to Crazyhorse Troop as the White Platoon Leader in 2005. He deployed with the troop in March. On August 29, 2005, a little more than a year since graduation, Rubado was killed in action while on patrol.
Rubado was a member of the FSC Moccasin Cadet Battalion and will forever be remembered and honored by his peers. He was a model student who cared deeply for his country.
“He is my superior officer, my brother in arms, and my brother through Lambda Chi Alpha,” Freshman Cadet Stephen Angelo said.
This will be the ninth golf tournament held in Rubado’s honor.
Half the money raised through this fundraiser will go towards a scholarship fund in Rubado’s name aiding a theology student at FSC. The other half will go towards the FSC Army ROTC Cadet fund.
This fund helps the ROTC Department finance events like their annual military ball, ranger challenge competition and sending ROTC Members to national events like the annual “Spartan Race” and “Tough Mudder.”
Florida Southern’s Moccasin Battalion is responsible for training students just like Rubado to become leaders in the United States Army and receive commission as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. According to ROTC Officer Travis Waller, the program instills an unrivaled sense of duty, sacrifice and dedication through rigorous training.
Waller hopes to raise about $5,000 through the golf scramble.
The event is almost entirely planned by the cadets of ROTC, who have been organizing the tournament since the date was picked last year.
“I’ve started to help advertise the tournament so as many people as possible can attend,” Angelo said. “I feel I have a moral obligation to do so, therefore everyone knows of Second Lieutenant Rubado’s sacrifice for his country.”
Organized in Rubado’s memory, the ROTC golf tournament will have raffle prizes and team prizes for the top four finishing teams. Also included are goodie bags and meals for all golfers.
Registration begins at 11:30 on March 28 with a shotgun at 1 p.m. The price varies, and students can gain entry for $60 while non-student players pay $75. Sign ups are available in the Military Science building, online and by mail.
Manysponsorship opportunities are also available. Sponsorships range from $100 to $2,000.
Photo by Leah Schwarting
