Sean P.Bonner Jr.’sStory
The Beginning
Sean was born in March 1998 in Stamford, CT. He was a great son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend, and teammate. From a young age, he was drawn to every sport he could find — soccer, swimming, baseball, basketball, football, tennis, and golf. By middle school, he’d narrowed it down to football, basketball, and baseball, and he was a starter on all three teams.
Sean attended Charlotte Latin School from kindergarten through graduation in 2016. By high school, he had become the top pitcher on his varsity team as a freshman and continued to lead through his senior year. His junior year was his best — he posted a 1.40 ERA and decided he wanted to pitch in college.
Denison University
In August 2015, Sean attended Coach Mike Deegan’s camp at Denison University. He was immediately drawn to the school — it was the right fit academically and athletically. When Coach Deegan offered him a spot days later, it was a dream come true.
During his freshman year at Denison, Sean suffered a serious concussion after a fall in his dorm room. He chose to keep it to himself — we believe because he was afraid of losing time with his team. Because it went unreported, his concussion went undiagnosed and untreated. In the weeks and months that followed, his family noticed something was different. From conversations with friends after his passing, the family believes there may have been additional undiagnosed concussions over the next two years.
Sean was the kind of person who carried things quietly. He wanted to take care of everyone else and was reluctant to ask for help himself.
Sean P. Bonner Jr.’s Legacy
We remember Sean P. Bonner Jr. as a bright, shining light who could bring people together effortlessly. He was big and strong, smart and funny, athletic and competitive. He had a smile that could light up a room and an easy way of connecting with people. He formed deep friendships during his high school and college years.
It was this memory—Sean P. Bonner Jr.’s gift for bringing people together—that inspired his friend Peter Pittroff to come up with the idea that would become Mission 34. Named for Sean P. Bonner Jr.’s jersey number, Mission 34 was born from a family’s love and a community’s determination to make sure others would have the support Sean deserved.
Today, Sean P. Bonner Jr.’s story lives through every chapter meeting, every ambassador, every conversation happening across the country. His legacy is a movement—and it’s still growing.
Take The First Step
Sean's story is the reason we are here.
Your story is the reason we keep going.