PITTSBURGH – Former Aliquippa football player Dimantae Bronaugh’s story inspired a program and community.
Now Bronaugh’s name will be memorialized for future generations of Quip athletes to see.
Shell Chemical announced Saturday at the first Shell/Pro Football Alumni Community Awards Gala plans to donate $30,000 in Bronaugh’s name to Aliquippa High School to be used for renovating the school’s athletic fieldhouse.
Bronaugh’s fight with leukemia during his final years of high school was well documented up until his death in November of 2016. His courage and strength emboldened locals all across Beaver County and moved Shell officials to make a donation in his name.
Bronaugh’s aunt, Anita Gordon, spoke at the event and highlighted her nephew’s resilience in the face of adversity. Despite undergoing chemo treatments, Bronaugh only goal was to be on the field with his teammates. His story inspired the hashtag #24strong on social media, and opposing fans and teams rallied around the Aliquippa football player, donating money to offset the cost of his medical funds.
His story will now be shared by everyone who walks through the doors of the fieldhouse dedicated in his name.
About 300 attended the ceremony held at The Club at Shadow Lake, including several marquee guests. NFL Hall of Famer Mike Dikta received the Lifetime Achievement Award given by Shell and the Pro Football Alumni Association. Dikta starred at Aliquippa High School and the University of Pittsburgh before going on to have an illustrious pro career with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Merril Hoge emceed the event, and Steeler legend and Vietnam War veteran Rocky Bleier presented the Home Depot Foundation’s Veteran Housing Grant to Beaver County detective and Iraq War Army veteran Patrick Young. Young’s home was destroyed in a landslide back in February.
Shell Chemical also teamed up with the Beaver County Educational Trust to make a $10,000 donation to the Aliquippa School District to support STEM education and a $15,000 grant to the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unite for a science library that can be used by students across the county. In all, more than $100,000 was raised during the evening to fund Beaver County education and veterans’ programs.
