Curtis Roden – On Board for Giving Day

Every dollar raised for the The Robert F. Busbey Athletic Scholarship, the Frank Tilocco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, and the Tom Smolinski Endowed Diving Scholarship go towards helping our student athletes achieve their current and future goals. Below are a few words from junior Curtis Roden expressing his thanks, and the career path he’s able to pursue because of this financial assistance.

CURTIS RODEN

“Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Cleveland State Swimming and Diving team! Your support has given, and will continue to give, so many the opportunity to be a successful student-athlete. The Tom Smolinski Endowed Scholarship and the Frank Tilocco Jr. Memorial Scholarship are giving me the chance to dive as I pursue my goal to be a physical therapist. These two scholarships memorialize the lives of two people who have brought so much to the Vikings and everyone in their lives. I feel honored to receive them.”

Read more about each scholarship:

Tom Smolinski Endowed Diving Scholarship

Tom Smolinski, one of CSU’s greatest divers and class of ’99 graduate, passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 2015. A strong, fun-loving individual, Tom is remembered as always having a smile on his face and a joke to share with his friends and teammates. Tom’s legacy lives on through a scholarship to honor his life and to strengthen the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program.

The Frank Tilocco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Frank Tilocco, Jr. was a dedicated member of the diving team who died in a car accident in 1981, when he was a sophomore. He’s remembered as a popular and loved member of the team. In remembrance of his love of diving and CSU, this scholarship is awarded to a student-athlete in the diving program at CSU.

The Robert F. Busbey Athletic Scholarship

Robert F. Busbey, 4-sport letterman and the schools first all-american, former Cleveland State University athletic director, vice president and head swimming coach impacted the University’s sports program, from 1946 – 1994, as only few men have at any collegiate institution. During his coaching tenure, he was named the 1964 U.S.A. assistant swim coach for the Olympic team, served as chairman of the NCAA swimming committee and was responsible for bringing five NCAA swimming and diving championships to CSU. Bob received the 1982 national collegiate and scholastic swimming trophy – one of the sports’ highest awards. Unanimously voted a charter member of the Cleveland State Athletic Hall of Fame, he devoted 49 years of his life to the school where he was educated and employed. The Robert F. Busbey Athletic Scholarship, funded primarily by former Busbey student-athletes,  provides assistance to deserving member of the swimming and diving teams.

 

Thank you again to all of our donors!!

GO VIKES!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *