Rob Balloon Memorial Scholarship

Rob Balloon

The Rob Balloon Memorial Scholarship is a $1000 per year award in memory of a remarkable young soccer player who died unexpectedly in April 2008.

His loss is immeasurable and it is through the generous gifts of family and friends that this scholarship is possible. The scholarship will be awarded each year to a player who represents the joy, passion and talent that Rob showed for the game of soccer.

It is the family's hope that other young people will be inspired by his life and will follow his lead of success.

Rob Balloon was a gifted young man. He was born January 22, 1980 in Winter Park, but spent most of his life in Gainesville playing soccer with his brothers and friends. Like many youngsters, Dad was his first coach and biggest fan and soccer became a family passion.

Rob Balloon goalkeeper for
Eastside High school.

Rob dominated as a goalkeeper playing varsity all 4 years at Eastside High School, eventually becoming an all state Goalkeeper. He continues to hold the record for career shutouts (37) for Gainesville area high schools.

In 1998 Rob graduated from one of the first IB classes at Eastside earning the prestigious IB diploma and was recruited to play varsity soccer at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Unfortunately a severe knee injury prematurely ended his soccer career and he returned to Gainesville to pursue his degree at UF. After college, Rob worked as a mortgage broker in Jacksonville, then progressed to other jobs including Merrill Lynch, eventually returning to Gainesville to his last position as VP of NBC Securities where he served as financial advisor for Millennium Bank.

One of his favorite volunteer activities was to help with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and he received an award for his efforts in 2005.

Rob is survived by his parents Don and Susan Balloon and brothers Scott and Tony and their families as well as grandparents and many more family and friends.

He will be missed. Contributions to the Rob Balloon Memorial Scholarhip fund can be made by sending a check to GSA c/o the RBMF.

Spotlight on Recipients
Please join us in congratulating Olawale and Josh and wishing them much success as they continue their next phase in their soccer career.

Carson Dolbier receives the Rob Balloon Memorial Scholarship
Carson Dolbier has been awarded the "Rob Balloon Scholarship" for the 2009-2010 soccer season. He plays on the GSA U15 Boys White team and loves playing soccer. Carson is a student at Buchholz High School with a 4.3 GPA. He has played soccer since he was six years old and hopes to further his soccer career in college.

Olawale Olaoye recieves the Rob Balloon
Memorial Scholarship
Olawale Olaoye is a senior at Eastside High School. This is Olawale's fifth year playing for Gainesville SoccerAlliance. He has played defense, striker and mid-field and presently this year is playing defense for the U18 Boys team. Olawale is a team player and brings strengths of speed, diligence and endurance on the pitch.Olawale hopes to further his soccer career at the next level in college.

Olawale Olaoye who has been playing for GSA for 5 years signed a commitment scholarship on May 15, 2009 to play for Flagler College. Olawale will be playing right defense for the team and is looking forward to continuing his career through his college years.

Apply for the Rob Balloon Scholarship
Please email the Balloon Scholarship to Don at toscro@bellsouth.net and Susan at shb1950@bellsouth.net