Air Force ROTC wins ASU's inaugural Salute to Service flag-football tournament

Update: The Salute to Service flag-football tournament featured fierce competition with the ASU’s Air Force ROTC taking home the coveted Dean’s Cup, which was presented by associate dean Paul LePore.

As part of Arizona State University’s annual Salute to Service celebration, student veterans, cadets and midshipmen will gear up for a flag-football tournament to honor America’s service members for their courage and sacrifice.

“This is an opportunity for Sun Devils to take stock and give thanks to the men and women who have served or are planning to serve in our nation’s military,” said Paul LePore, the associate dean for student and academic programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

The college will be hosting the first-ever Salute to Service flag-football tournament from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Sun Devil Stadium. Fans are welcome and encouraged to join the college for an afternoon of competition, community and camaraderie.

Since the founding of the Department of Military Science in 1935, the college has been the proud sponsor of ASU’s three Reserve Officers’ Training Corps programs. ROTC cadets and midshipmen from Aerospace Studies, Military Science and Naval Science along with student veterans from Pat Tillman Veterans Center will compete for the coveted Dean’s Cup. 

After the tournament, the college will present the winning team with a trophy to commemorate the winners of a new Salute to Service tradition.

“The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic home for more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate student veterans,” said LePore. “We’re grateful to be named a ‘Military Friendly School’ by G.I. Jobs magazine for seven years in a row as we continue to help ASU fulfill its commitment to the military, active-duty members of the armed forces, and our veterans and their dependents.”

The football tournament is just one of more than 30 military-themed events hosted during ASU’s Salute to Service celebration. This yearly tribute is an opportunity for the Sun Devil community to display their pride and passion for military service members — past and present. 

“Come cheer your favorite team to victory!” exclaimed LePore.

The event is free and open to the public.