There will be a softball tournament and family day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 in Cook Field in Yonkers to benefit the Michael Nolan Scholarship fund, named after the former Oakland Athletic’s prospect, and Yonkers native, who was fatally shot in a drive-by in 2015.
The money raised from the tournament - which will include a DJ, barbecue, raffles and children’s entertainment - will go to benefit the scholarship fund, which celebrates eight Yonkers students each year in Nolan's name. They also seek to raise awareness of the city's illegal gun buyback program in Yonkers, which James Nolan said “has been so successful that New York State wants to sign it into law going statewide.”
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 18, 2015, Nolan was standing outside of his Mercedes outside at the Burger King on Central Park Avenue when six shots rang out of the Toyota Camry being driven by four men, with one of the bullets hitting Nolan in the head.
Nolan was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, where he was put into a coma before being declared dead on Oct. 9.
The Yonkers Police Department and Westchester County District Attorney’s office launched an investigation that determined that the shooting was “in retaliation for the beating of an individual known to the suspects and related to events that took place during a drag race two nights prior.”
Four suspects have since been apprehended and convicted on multiple charges.
Nolan’s organs were donated following his death, saving six peoples’ lives. Four of the people Nolan’s organs saved will also be in attendance at the tournament, including one flying in from Chicago.
“Michael was an amazing person that was full of life, love to have fun, smart, and had so many more great attributes,” his brother said. “Michael fought extremely hard for his life for three weeks and battled through six brain surgeries but sadly passed away from the injuries. The loss of my brother Michael has not only devastated myself, family, but also has hurt the community.”
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