Dormont Football to Kick Off Season With 9/11 Tribute

Everyone is remembering 9/11 in their own way. Not everyone was directly or personally impacted that day but many are doing what they can to make sure those victims and heroes are not forgotten.

Keystone Oaks Athletics and the Dormont Athletic Boosters Association (DABA) are doing just that during their opening weekend of football this Saturday, Sept. 10, at Dormont Memorial Stadium.

“I was just listening to the radio one day,” said Mike Iorio, vice president of the DABA. “There was a commercial that said 'What are you going to do to remember 9/11?' and I just knew we had to do something.”

The DABA board saw this as an opportunity to help raise funds for the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville as well as help our soldiers who are currently abroad.

“We have a 50/50 raffle during each game,” Iorio said. “Our portion of that will go toward a donation for the Flight 93 Memorial. And as always, if the winner decides to donate it back, as they sometimes do for DABA, we'll gladly add that to the collection as well.”

DABA is also collecting donations for the Give2TheTroops program. Those attending the games are asked to bring donations ranging from toiletries, food and snacks, to disposable cameras and clothing that will be sent to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We're also going to have two banners on hand for everyone to sign that will be packed up with the items for the troops,” Iorio said.

As with any youth sports organization, it's more than just putting a product on the field. Developing leadership, fostering a team environment and using sports as a teaching tool for life skills are a part of what DABA does. Finding a way to contribute and recognize the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was natural and felt right for the organization.

Like many people, Iorio remembers the day vividly. “My son was in kindergarten and I had a cousin at the Pentagon.” But the fact that it's been 10 years kind of snuck up on him.

“To be honest, I didn't realize it was the 10th anniversary already until I heard that commercial.”

Iorio said when he brought the idea to the DABA board, it was a no-brainer. Everyone was on board 100 percent. He's also hoping this will spread further than just the football parents.

The DABA board and coaches also notified the visiting teams from North Allegheny, South Fayette and Bethel Park, in hopes that the parents and fans of those teams will consider donating as well.

Keystone Oaks High School students will play a part as well singing the national anthem and God Bless America before the games, and there will also be a moment of silence prior to each game in remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Iorio just hopes that even those in the community who might not normally come out to a youth football game stop by to help the troops.

“Maybe the people of Dormont will just come over for 15 minutes and bring something for the troops,” he said.

If you're going:

Location: Dormont Memorial Stadium

• 6 & 7 year-old game—1 p.m.

• 8 & 9 year-old game—3 p.m.

• 10 & 11 year-old game—5 p.m.