Marco Island Senior Softball League Pitches in on Scholarship Fund

Known for his personal warmth and powerful batting swing, the loss of Don O’Connell following his courageous battle with cancer last November triggered an outpouring of support from the Marco Island Senior Softball League (MISSL) community for his wife, Judy O’Connell, and their family. After Don’s passing, among the many responding from the League was Chris Flynn, who over the years played with Don on several travel softball teams as well as on a team in the MISSL. With support from his wife Nancy, Chris talked with Judy about holding some type of fundraiser to honor Don, who many thought embodied the essence of the League’s characteristics of sportsmanship, camaraderie, socialization, self-development, and friendly competition. That conversation and subsequent brainstorming yielded profound results. 

Scavenger Hunt and Scholarship Fund are Born 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought having a scavenger hunt might be a good idea for a social event with some of our neighbors at our condo complex,” Flynn recalled recently. While his idea did not bear fruit with all of his neighbors, Chris, Nancy, and others decided to incorporate the scavenger hunt as part of a fundraiser to honor Don’s legacy. “The League is very community-minded,” said Judy, noting MISSL’s contribution of time, talent and treasure to entities such as Our Daily Bread Food Pantry and activities including the Flags for Heroes event and an Easter Egg Hunt. “Helping others through the Donald F. O’Connell Jr. Scholarship Fund is something Don would have wanted.” 

Held in February, the scavenger hunt featured close to a dozen teams who searched more than 50 sites on Marco Island for items such as a bobcat sign, a Marco Cat statue over five feet tall, two elephant statues as well as taking pictures of former restaurant locations and current businesses. In the end, the team of Eagles and Beagles (the family of John Nicholas, a pitcher on Dolphin Tiki) took home the scavenger hunt championship trophy. And at Chris’ insistence, they received their award at third base, the position Don manned for years. It was also where Don would often talk with other League players, frequently congratulating them for their hitting and reaching third base. The scavenger hunt also sparked further giving throughout the League. 

MISSL Commissioner Tom Polston and Board Member Gary Revall initiated 50/50 raffles at the League’s Dinner Dance as well as at the season ending picnic. Chris, who managed and played for Dolphin Tiki, said many players across the League have pitched in with financial gifts. “The response has been tremendous,” said Chris. “The League has stepped up.” 

Scholarships Expected to be Awarded in Mid-April  

With more than $10,000 raised to date, Chris said the plan is to award two scholarships, totaling about $3,500 each, to a male and female senior student-athletes who live on Marco Island. He added that guidance counselors from Lely High School and Marco Island Academy High School have been instrumental in identifying student athlete candidates. Judy said she is looking forward to the selection of the two student-athletes who she believes will embody the qualities that Don possessed and shared with so many in the League. 

“Of course, we are looking for good grades,” said Judy, who has helped her own healing by scorekeeping for multiple teams during the season as well as teaching volunteers how to use the League’s digital scorekeeping platform in conjunction with its video streaming of games. “We want someone (the scholarship recipients) you would want your son or daughter to date,” she added with a smile. 

Interested students are encouraged to get more information on the Donald F. O’Connell Jr. Scholarship fund by contacting your school’s counselor or guidance office. You can get more information about the Marco Island Senior Softball League by visiting the leagues website at https://marcoseniorsoftballleague.com/index.html.