Charles Henry Rohe

Charles Henry “Chuck” Rohe, 92 of Windermere, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. He was born in Park Ridge, Illinois on August 9, 1931. Chuck graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor and Master degrees in Physical Science. He is married to the former Dana Dunbar.

Chuck made his mark as a collegiate track and field coach and in football recruiting. He was a famed Olympic track coach and served on the US Olympic Committee (1968-76).

While at the University of Tennessee (1963-71) Chuck coached his teams to 21 consecutive SEC titles in cross country and indoor track and field. He was the National Track and Field Coach of the Year in 1967. The Tennessee track and field program honors Chuck’s legacy each year at the Tennessee Relays with the Chuck Rohe Leadership Award. This award is designated for the student- athlete who has consistently displayed outstanding leadership with integrity, diligence, academic excellence and an enthusiastic positive “get it done” attitude. Early in his career he served as a coach and administrator for the University of Southern Mississippi, Furman and Virginia Tech track and football programs.

Chuck began his entertainment career as Vice-President of Pace Management where he developed and managed sports, concerts and other high profile events in the Houston Astrodome.

Never one to rest, Chuck later served as the Executive Director of Florida Citrus Sports in Orlando, Florida for 20 years (1982-2002). He brought the bowl game to major status by securing the bowl game’s broadcast on the ABC Network, and by obtaining one of the first bowl game title sponsorships with the Florida Department of Citrus. He spearheaded the expansion of the Citrus Bowl Stadium to a 70,000 seat capacity making it a world class facility. Florida Citrus Sports was able to then host a National Championship football game in 1990-91 season with Georgia Tech’s win. Chuck also secured a partnership with the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences that came to define Orlando’s New Year’s Bowl game we enjoy today. Chuck’s leadership brought the Florida Blue Classic to Orlando from Tampa. He then sought a second bowl game for Orlando, (presently known as the Pop-Tarts Bowl), pitting teams from the Atlantic Coast and Big Twelve Conferences. These Bowl games soon came to be known as “The Best Bowl Games In America”.

Chuck served as the National Director of the Nike Coach of the Year Clinics. In these clinics elite college coaches have shared their knowledge and experience with other college and high school football coaches in over 20 clinic sites across the United States.

Chuck’s leadership and talent was rewarded in:

2023 - Inducted into the UT Hall of fame

2019 – Inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame

2015/16 Florida Citrus Sports Howard Palmer Award

2011 - Furman University Hall of Fame, where Chuck is known and remembered as the

“Father of Track and Field”

2009 - US Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame

2002 - Greater Knoxville Hall of Fame

2002 - University of Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame

1995 - Tennessee Hall of Fame

1980 - President’s Award From USA Track and Field National Governing Body for

leadership in athletics

Chuck had a passion for volunteering. He organized the regional Special Olympics and participated with Shepherd’s Hope. After retiring, returned to Florida Citrus Sports by volunteering to scout football games and chair the Pregame and Halftime shows for the Florida Blue Classic and bowl games. He and his wife Dana are members of the Isleworth Country Club where they enjoyed playing golf.

Each day Chuck brought a positive attitude to work. When he arrived to work every morning he would open the door an exclaim to the staff “What A Beautiful Day! (even if it was raining outside.)

He inspired his staff to thrive and do their work better and bigger. His favorite quote is, “If Better is even possible, Good is not enough”. Chuck has mentored and instilled his positive philosophy of life into countless coaches, athletes and the staff members who worked for him.

His family and friends will greatly miss Chuck, but are happy he is at peace with his Lord. We all will remember “What A Beautiful Day.” What a beautiful legend.

Chuck is survived by his wife Dana, daughter Connie, son Mason-wife Rebeca Ann, daughter-in-law Cathy; Grandchildren: Mackenzie, Rian, Caroline, and Katie Beth, Nephews: Christopher and Eric and niece Kaja; Deceased parents; Henry Rohe and Naomi Salome Thockmorton Rohe; Brother: William Thomas Rohe; Son: Kevin Rohe

Services will be private for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers you may make a charitable contribution in Chuck Rohe’s name to the following:

Shepherd’s Hope - shepherdshope.org 101 S. Westmoreland Drive, Orlando, Florida 32805

Special Hearts Farm – specialheartsfarm.com 10557 Oakview Pointe Terrace, Gotha, FL 34747

Florida Citrus Sports Foundation – floridacitrussports.com One Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, Florida, 32805