Dan Rooney
HhH
Lt Col Dan Rooney (born December 18, 1972) is a USAFR F-16 Fighter Pilot, PGA Professional and CEO/Founder of the Folds of Honor., The non-profit foundation's singular mission is to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of wounded or killed military service members. Rooney is the child of Dr. John and Sandra Rooney and youngest of three children. He was born at Stillwater Hospital in Stillwater, OK.and spent most of his early life there with the exception of a year in Columbia, SC and another in South Bend, IN while his father was on sabbatical leave at the University of South Carolina and later at Notre Dame. He also traveled extensively with his parents and two sisters. Much of the travel was to Europe where he spent two summers including time in Scotland where he was introduced to the game of golf. He played St. Andrews and also wandered the beaches of Northeast Scotland. He also spent several summers with his parents at Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. He graduated from Stillwater High School in "____" and then pursued his Bachelor's in Geography concentrating on the Clary Tasche system of Geo Demographics. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas in 1995. He attended graduate school and his advisor was Dr. David Cook, the renown sports psychologist. Dan's emphasis in graduate school was Sports Psychology where he learned the art of visualization, volition and positive thinking. He graduated with a Master's degree.in Liberal Arts at Kansas in 1996 (CHECK DATE) He was on the golf team at Kansas and was either the No. 1 or 2 player his last three years. He helped lead the university to back- to- back NCAA tournaments. It was during his freshman year that he met his wife Jacqy and they were married December 18, 1999 (DATE) and have five daughters. Rooney is a fan of movies and his all-time favorites are appropriately Top Gun and Caddyshack.
He joined the United States Air Force as an F-16 fighter pilot "___________, _____" (QUESTION DATE). A Lt Col in the Air Force Reserves, flying the F-16 and T-38 (950 flight hours) and decorated aviator, he is a two-time recipient of the Top Gun award and was honored with the Spirit of Attack award as a top graduate of F-16 training. He has received many decorations including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Air Expeditionary Medal. Lt Col Rooney continues to fly fighters as an aggressor pilot in the 301st Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB in Destin Florida.
Folds of Honor[edit]
From humble beginnings above his garage, Lt Col Rooney started the non-profit Folds of Honor in 2007. Its singular mission is to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of wounded or killed military service members. In 13 years, Folds of Honor has provided over 28,000 scholarships totaling over $140 million. Patriot Golf Day, the largest grassroots golf fundraiser in the country was established in 2007. Proceeds from Patriot Golf Day have provided 10,000 scholarships totaling $50 million dollars.
For his service and patriotism—Rooney was presented the White House's “Presidential Volunteer Service Award” by President George W. Bush, the Air National Guard's “Distinguished Service Medal”, the Air National Guard’s “Directors Service Award” and the Ellis Island “Medal of Honor”. Lt Col Rooney is a Kansas University Distinguished Alumni, Significant Sigma Chi, and recipient of the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom. He was honored at the Masters Tournament with the William Richardson Award for outstanding service to golf and received the PGA of America's first-ever Patriot Award. He was recognized as one of People Magazine's “Heroes of the Year”, Money Magazine’s “Hero of the Year” and ABC World News Tonight's “Persons of the Year.” He was also awarded the FOX Nation's 2019 Ultimate Patriot Award. Owasso Reporter: Folds of Honor's Dan Rooney receives Fox Nation's 2019 Ultimate Patriot Award.
Golf[edit]
College: Qualified for Centennial US Amateur Championship Medalist honors at Kansas Invitational Rolex Amateur Rankings NCAA Championships (need year)
PGA: Mini Tour - competed two years after graduating from the University of Kansas
Motivational Speaker for two PGA Ryder Cups (2008 & 2010)
The Guardian: Ryder Cup Fighting Talk from Major Dan Rooney
Daily News: U.S. Ryder Cup team meets Major Dan Rooney, while Europeans hear from golf legend Seve Ballesteros
MailOnline: 'Never leave a man behind': What Major Dan Rooney told US Ryder Cup stars
Lt Col Rooney is also a noted golf course developer. He began with the founding of the Patriot Golf Club in Owasso Oklahoma which opened on Memorial Day, 2009. The Patriot is now ranked among the best modern courses in America. In 2019 he turned his attention to the transformation of the Grand Haven Golf Club in Michigan. The new course is called American Dunes. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it is dedicated to the military and commemorates the birth place of Folds of Honor.
Awards and Decorations[edit]
Military: Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, Air Force Longevity Service, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 'M' Device, Air Force Training Ribbon.
Civilian: Significant Sigma Chi Distinguished Alumni Award - University of Kansas, People's Hero of the Year Award,
Deployments[edit]
Operation Iraqi Freedom (three tours)
Washington Speakers Bureau[edit]
Lt Col Rooney is a member of the Washington Speakers Bureau, for which he has delivered over 250 speeches to groups throughout the nation. Washington Speakers Bureau promotes a mission to always create experiences that spark engagement, enable change, and enrich lives – to move people, teams, and organizations forward in the right direction. Other notable speakers from WSB are...(NOT SURE IF WE WANT TO PLACE PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, ETC.)
Fox and Friends Contributor[edit]
Lt Col Rooney is also a Fox and Friends contributor appearing quarterly on the early morning news talk show since 2015.
Folds of Honor founder shares message of hope during COVID-19 crisis
Folds of Honor founder Dan Rooney receives Ultimate Patriot Award at Fox Nation event
Air Force lieutenant colonel started veterans' charity after witnessing disrespect for fallen hero
Maj. Dan Rooney running NYC Marathon to help our heroes
Cooking with 'Friends': Rooney family's chicken and noodles
Fox News Contributor[edit]
Fly Into the Wind interview show featuring life-changing interviews with celebrity guests. The program debuts November, 2020.
Other Notable Interview(s)[edit]
Sean Hannity Shot: Major Dan Rooney and Sean Hannity discuss Folds of Honor
DVIDS: Major Dan Rooney
Life Time: Major Dan Rooney, an American Hero, a Life Time Legend
Garmin: Major Dan Rooney: On a Mission to Serve
Golf Channel: Folds of Honor and Major Dan Rooney 'seeks to leave no family behind'
Author[edit]
He is an author of “A Patriots Calling” and “Fly Into The Wind" The book is scheduled for a November 2020 release.
Rooney, D. (2012). A Patriot's Calling. United States: Yorkshire Publishing Group.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ Rooney, Dan (2012). A Patriot's Calling - Living Life Between Fear and Faith. Tulsa, OK: Yorkshire Publishing. p. 2. ISBN 978-1-936750-83-2. Search this book on
This article "Dan Rooney" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Dan Rooney. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
