Track and field led Rubino to teaching

Dave Rubino says he began running, jumping and soaring over hurdles while in junior high school. He participated in track and field at Cortland State University in New York. For the last eight years he has been on the faculty of the UO’s department of physical education and recreation.

“Athletics made me a better person overall,” he says. “I learned the traits of being a good sport, making great friends, learning how to balance classes, work and academics and many other important characteristics. The most important part was learning how and when to do my homework. There were times I could have just not done it but the fear of not being able to travel or be part of the team motivated me to work harder and not let myself or the team down.”

While Rubino is caught up in the excitement of the Ducks in the Rose Bowl as Pac 10 champions, he just missed being on the national stage during his years at Cortland State, where he competed in hurdles and jumps.

“I was close a few times,” he said. “We had a meet called the SUNYAC’s (State University of New York Athletic Conference). You had to finish in the top two and have a qualifying time to go to nationals. I was either in third or didn’t have the time each year.”

At the UO, Rubino teaches courses and is involved in individual athletics, running, team sports and billiards.

Athletic competition, he said, influenced his career choice as a physical education teacher. “Competing in track and field helped me travel around the state and country seeing different colleges and universities,” he said. “It was a great life-long learning experience that I would do again in a heart beat. I loved every minute of it.”