Aurora, IL - Softball Hall of Fame to induct Daniel D. Dolan family of Aurora
Daniel D. Dolan, right, first sponsored a City League team, the Creative DJs, in 1982. (Brian Dolan)
ORIGINAL STORY by Rick Armstrong
For decades, the Donlan has been synonymous with men's fastpitch softball in Aurora. Come next weekend, its reach will be extended even further.
That's when the Daniel D. Dolan family, longtime sponsors of the men's fastpitch softball Dolan & Murphy Shamrocks, will be inducted into the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame.
The family is this year's recipient of the Bob Welby Memorial Recognition of Service Award that will be presented Sunday morning at the Class of 2016 induction breakfast.
The event, which will be held at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf, Iowa, is being held in conjunction with the ISC World Tournament Aug. 13-20 at Moline's Green Valley Softball Complex.
"I got that call and I was flabbergasted," Daniel D. Dolan, the family's 85-year-old patriarch, said. "It is such an honor to be included."
The entire family, including sons Dan T., Brian and Ryan and daughter Karen, will join Daniel D. Dolan for the ceremony. Also on hand will be members of this year's team, which again qualified for the tourney.
The Shamrocks open the tourney at 4 p.m. Saturday against the Elmira Expos in the 36-team double-elimination event.
Daniel D. Dolan and business partner James A. Murphy formed the company in 1965. They first sponsored a City League team, the Creative DJs, in 1982.
The elder Dolan didn't play fastpitch but became a big fan of the game. He got to know and become friends with many of the players on the city's top team that was sponsored by Home Savings and Loan and Sealmaster's and won world titles.
"They had a lot of great, local players and they drew 2,000-3,000 people to their games," Daniel D. Dolan said. "Teams from all over — New York, Connecticut, Texas and other states — would come to Aurora to play them. It was just a wonderful part of the Aurora scene."
Dolan even went to Japan with the team when it competed in international competition.
In 1987, Robin Reder, a member of the Aurora Home Savings & Loan team that won the 1980 ISC World Tournament, was managing a local team that had aspirations of representing the city at the ISC.
Dolan & Murphy agreed to sponsor, starting a relationship that continues today in its 30th year. The Shamrocks qualified for their first ISC World in 1992, failed to make it in 1993, but returned in 1994.
They haven't missed out since. This year marks D & M's 23rd straight appearance and 24th in 25 years. And Reder is still managing the team, which includes sons Robert and Ryne.
The roster includes three international players who can pitch: Jarryd Farrell of Australia, Marik Maly of Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic)Â and Sisko Sabate of Argentina.
Area players include Cooper Carson, Chris Gonzalez, Mike Marrero, P.J. McKinney and Kyle Pittman, all of Aurora; Jarod Gutesha, Dave Perkins and Dave Schuett of St. Charles; Montgomery's Mike Drew and Yorkville's T.J. Chase.
For more on the banquet and ticket availability, visit iscfastpitch.com.
Twitter @RickArmstrong28
