Command Chief presents scholarships at football game

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Peter Borys
  • 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  When it comes to local sports, people in Del Rio take high school football very seriously. That was evident by the huge turnout Oct. 14 at the Walter Levermann Ram Stadium in Del Rio.
 
The near-capacity crowd was there to cheer on the Del Rio Rams against arch-rival Eagle Pass Eagles. Air Force Recruiting sponsored the event and Chief Master Sgt. Ruben Gonzalez, Air Force Personnel Center command chief, presented two $500 scholarships to Federico Hernandez of the Rams and Christian Garcia of the Eagles.

"It's an honor to be here and be part of this event because this is my old alma mater in a sense that Eagle Pass, Texas, Eagles are playing against the Del Rio Rams," said Gonzalez. The chief, a native of Eagle Pass was stationed at Laughlin from 2006-2007.

The command chief also did the coin toss at the beginning of the game. "Eagle Pass and Del Rio, Texas are significant for our recruiting efforts, especially when we are trying to diversify ourselves and give opportunities to Hispanics from this part of the country. We are always looking for America's brightest. It's an honor for the Air Force to be here and showcase our service," said Gonzalez.

The student athletes were nominated and chosen by their coaches and teachers for their outstanding performance on and off the field. According to Air Force recruiter Tech. Sgt. Armando Daniel, the $500 scholarships are intended to help student athletes get their college education started. The money can be used towards books or a laptop.

"The Air Force could be a future career goal for them or this might have planted a seed for someone else at the game that saw how the Air Force supports education," said Daniel.

Del Rio scored on all seven of its first half possessions and added one more score in the third quarter as the Rams beat the Eagles, 53-0.