Sean's Story

Sean was born on March 2^nd, 1998 in Stamford, CT. He was a great son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate. He became interested in all sports from a very young age and developed into a good all-around athlete. While he was growing up he participated in soccer, swimming, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and golf.

Sean attended Charlotte Latin School from Kindergarten through high school, graduating in 2016. By the time he was in middle school, Sean had narrowed it down to three sports: football, basketball and baseball and he was a starter on all three teams. His 8^th grade basketball team won their conference championship and his baseball team lost in the finals that same year. He had a lot of success and loved every minute of it. During the summer before 9^th grade, Sean decided to drop football and focus on just two sports in high school. Since he had the fall season open, he played travel baseball for the first time, where he started pitching. He quickly became the top pitcher on his high school varsity team as a 9^th grader and would continue to lead as head pitcher on that team throughout high school. Sean’s junior year was his best as a pitcher, where he posted a 1.40 ERA and it was during this time that he decided that he wanted to pitch in college.

In October 2013 he threw a 1 hit complete game and the victory earned him a spot on the All- Tournament team for Perfect Game.

In July 2014 he threw a no-hitter which earned him a spot on the All – Tournament team for Perfect Game.

In August of 2015, before Sean’s senior year, he attended Coach Mike Deegan’s camp at Denison. He was immediately impressed with the coach and the school as it was a great fit academically as well as athletically. When Coach Deegan called him and offered him a spot a few days later, it was a dream come true for him.

In November of his freshman year at Denison, Sean suffered a massive concussion after a fall in his dorm room. He refused to tell anyone about it and we think it was because he was afraid of losing time training with the team. Because he didn’t tell anyone what happened, his concussion went undiagnosed and treated.  Several weeks after the fact we noticed something was different. From discussions with his friends since his death we believe that there may have been several more undiagnosed concussions over the next two years but it is very difficult to be certain.

Sean was the type of person that never wanted to be a “burden” to anyone so he was reluctant to ask for help.

We remember Sean as a bright shining light that could really bring people together. He was big and strong, smart and funny, athletic and competitive. He had a smile that could light up a room and he had an easy way of connecting with people. He formed many deep friendships during his high school and college years and it was this memory of his easily bringing people together that led his friend Peter Pittroff to come up with the idea of Mission 34.

You Can Help

You can change lives through Mission 34 in several ways:

Whether on a college campus or in a city where we have chapters, play a part in ending the stigma that surrounds mental illness.  We want everyone to spread our message, "A New Type of Tough" and that it shows strength to ask for help, not weakness.  

Invite Mission 34 to speak or be a part of an awareness event.

A gift to Mission 34 provides for: 

Professional Speakers. Mission 34 secures the services of professional speakers who bring expertise, credibility, and diverse perspectives to the organization's events and initiatives. Effective communication underlines the importance of mental health awareness and destigmatization.

College Chapters. Contributions help offset the costs associated with education, travel, and other logistical expenses that go into starting and supporting college chapters nationwide. The more chapters we support, the more Mission 34 and our Ambassadors spread the message of hope, empowerment, and resilience.

Mental Health Educators. Mission 34 employs educators who specialize in mental health education, facilitation, and community engagement. These professionals play a key role in participating and leading panels, events, student forums, and other educational initiatives. Their expertise helps create safe and supportive environments where individuals feel comfortable discussing mental health challenges and seeking help.

Hosting Local and Nationwide Events: Donations contribute to the planning, coordination, and execution of local and nationwide events hosted by Mission 34. These events serve as platforms for community engagement, awareness-building, and de-stigmatization of mental health issues. Whether held locally or across the country, these events are instrumental in transforming the way people perceive and approach seeking help for mental health concerns.