Tragic death of Declan Sullivan at Notre Dame creates a surprising legacy

Sullivans continue to cheer on Fighting Irish, look to celebrate Declan’s life

“We did see him up on the lift sometimes,” Barry Sullivan said. “The practice fields were behind a fence, but you could see him up there. He said it was sturdy, and he seemed comfortable. He was always fearless."

On the day where Sullivan died, he Tweeted prophetically from atop the lift where he was filming, “This is terrifying,” and “I guess I’ve lived long enough.” Soon after, a sudden gale force burst of wind knocked over the tower.

Investigations were launched into the accident. The Fighting Irish donned “D.S.” stickers on their helmets, and took a moment of silence at their next game to remember Sullivan.

Ultimately, the accident was narrowed down to four reasons: a sudden and extraordinary burst of wind; staff members’ lack of knowledge in regard to on-field wind speeds; the type of lift involved being more susceptible to tipping; and the height of the lift when the accident occurred.

“We’re just not those kind of people,” said Barry Sullivan about choosing not to sue Notre Dame. “That was the visceral, gut reaction. I want to stop anyone who suggests otherwise. Our response to the university didn’t have a dollar sign attached to it. That’s not part of this at all.”

When Barry Sullivan was asked if he has forgiven the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate event, he replies, “I resist that because to forgive means you’ve assigned blame. And not to say this could not have been prevented, but I don’t feel anybody knowingly acted recklessly and caused the accident. Or that anybody in the football program said, ‘We are willing to risk lives for the sake of Notre Dame football.’

“I know that. I’m closer to it than anybody. I wish everyone would take my word for it.”

Instead, the Sullivans started the Declan Drumm Sullivan Memorial Fund, its slogan: “Honor One Life. Impact Hundreds.” Barry Sullivan collaborated with a lawyer friend in partnering the foundation with a charity. The friend suggested, Horizons for Youth, an organization that counsels and tutors disadvantaged children in Chicago. The organization has graduated all but one student in 22 years and sent 80 percent to college.

Declan’s sister emailed Horizons to set up a meeting. The family found out that Horizons rented its space from Old Saint Patrick’s, of all places, and that several of its founders and its executive director graduated from Notre Dame.

The unsolicited donations to the family and money from friends and acquaintances went into the fund, which they gifted to Horizons, which added 40 children to its fold and doubled its fund-raising and tutoring efforts. They held a joint fundraiser that raised $600,000.

“I feel pretty good about it,” Barry Sullivan said later, inside the Horizons offices, near a poster of all the children in Declan’s 40, which organizers hope will become Declan’s 80, then Declan’s 120 and on and on. “And it’s O.K. to feel good about it.”

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Nster.com