Salute to Veterans Bowl Ruck
The Auburn Student Veterans Association (ASVA) and the Campus Veteran Association (CVA) are partnering with ESPN Events and the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl to deliver a ceremonial game ball and bring awareness to Veteran suicide.
The ASVA and CVA are known for their annual Operation Iron Ruck: a 3-day, 151-mile trek between the University of Alabama in Tuskaloosa and Auburn University to deliver the game ball to the Iron Bowl. The state of Alabama has one of the nation’s highest Veteran suicide rates, and the mission of this operation is to raise awareness and funds for Veteran suicide prevention and to unite Veterans with communities so they know they are not alone.
“This is us standing up and being proactive. It’s our call to arms to bring our fellow Veterans back in and make sure they understand they have a family, and that people are fighting for them,” said Bill Schwenk, the Operation Iron Ruck Coordinator at the Auburn Veteran Resource Center.
With the former Camellia Bowl rebranded and now dedicated to honoring Veterans, this partnership is a compelling way to extend the reach of this important mission beyond the Iron Bowl to more of Alabama and the Nation. As a military-focused company with a significant Veteran workforce, IS4S is honored to be involved in this growing partnership and to support Veteran suicide awareness and prevention.
For the inaugural IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl on December 14, 2024, the ASVA will lead a ceremonial 3-mile ruck from the Alabama Army National Guard HQ to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery where the game will kick off at 8pm CT. Other ruck participants will include students and Veterans from both schools competing in the bowl (Western Michigan University and the University of South Alabama), employees from IS4S and other sponsors, active military members and Veterans, and other community members passionate about supporting this cause.
“We’re done losing our people because of standing idly by,” Schwenk says. “You have the community, you’re valued, you’re loved.”
If you would like to get involved this year or be the first to find out about future ruck events, reach out to Bill Schwenk at wardamnveteransoir@gmail.com. Visit the ASVA website for information on making donations and accessing Veteran resources.
