Home

About

Ways To Help

Events

News

Gallery

Contact Us

Brandon James Dodrill was born to parents Kathy and Ron Dodrill in Downers Grove, IL on June 18, 1983 and later his sister, Barbara, became a big part of his life.

Growing up he played most sports, he absolutely loved the Chicago Cubs, he also loved to golf, but he lived to bowl until March 31, 2024 when he left his earthly life to head to heaven, where he will likely be bowling for eternity.

From Brandon’s start in bowling in junior leagues at age 7, he had an amazing drive to improve in the sport that he carried throughout his life. If you bowled with Brandon, you know that sometimes that drive led to frustration, but he just kept trying to increase his skills and knowledge.

Fast forward to high school where Brandon started on the JV team and then became one of the top bowlers on the varsity team, this is where he really came into his own.

He had some key accomplishments that increased his passion for the sport. The team often had success, but they didn’t have access to the latest equipment and the coaches often had to fund everything from equipment, to drilling, to team shirts, to getting to the competitions. Bowling wasn’t/isn’t one of the top sports, but for so many like Brandon, it is their place to shine in sports.

This foundation will allow the Rochelle High School bowling team to have the things they need to compete and to showcase their skills and have a chance to be recruited to colleges through the sport of bowling. It will also provide scholarship dollars, as it’s able, to help kids share in Brandon’s passion for this sport.

Brandon had set his sights on professional bowling and had started bowling some regional events and even bowled in the Master’s. He was so fortunate to meet, bowl with, talk with and get advice from so many of the men and women professional bowlers throughout the years and soaked up everything he could. Getting a flavor for that just raised his desire to get to that level.

Just as he was on his way to some success, an accident at work shattered his foot requiring a trauma surgeon and a plate to be put in his foot. After months of recovery, returning to bowling was challenging. His game would never be the same since he couldn’t bend his foot and lived with pain.

He  was never bitter, he just worked as hard as he could and continued to bowl in leagues and find a bowling family of friends that bowled tournaments. He continued to follow his passion in the new form that it took and still loved it.

He also supported so many others, sometimes driving hours just to watch someone bowl and cheer them on. His bowling family of friends meant the world to him.

Brandon also gave back as he helped as a coach for the Rochelle High School bowling team throughout the years and was so proud of the teams.

Brandon was a huge sports fan in general. The Chicago Cubs were his favorite team. He followed them every step of the way. He played most sports and was a walking sports encyclopedia. One thing he would want others to know is that bowling is a true sport just like the others and takes work, coaching and dedication. And he would tell you it's more than worth it.

Brandon went on to bowl fifteen 300 games and seven 800+ series despite his injury. He helped everyone that needed it along the way and would give anyone the shirt off his back.

Brandon would be so proud that this foundation will be able to continue to help people in his absence. He is likely looking down with that special smile of his.

Since his passing, Brandon has given the gift of sight to two men from Illinois through the Gift of Hope.