Dave Sullivan donates $500,000 to launch stadium and community center project in Steelton, Pa.

STEELTON, Pa. – Dave Sullivan hasn’t forgotten his roots.

The successful businessman and former Steelton-Highspire football star has donated $500,000 to kickstart a transformative $9 million project to rebuild War Veterans Memorial Field, the more than century-old stadium of the Steelton-Highspire High School Rollers. The stadium was recently declared unfit for use, forcing all games to be played away from home.

Sullivan, a 1968 graduate and NFL alum, stepped in not just with funds, but also as an ambassador for the initiative.

“Our athletic programs have always been strong, but our community has been overlooked,” Sullivan told a local news station. “It’s time we change that.”

Despite limited resources, the Rollers have built a powerhouse program, winning Pennsylvania state titles in 2007, 2008, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024. But their facilities haven’t kept up with their success.

“Our facilities no longer reflect our legacy,” said Head Coach and Athletic Director Andrew Erby. “We’ve produced champions without resources—imagine what we could do with them.”

The project is about more than football. Once a booming steel town with more than 16,000 residents, Steelton has faced economic decline. The local steel mill—once a vital part of the town—will close by the end of June, leaving up to 550 workers without jobs. The population has dwindled to just over 6,300, per the 2020 U.S. Census.

Sullivan and his wife, Sara, recognized the need for a bold step forward. His recent donation follows a previous $100,000 gift to the school’s athletic department.

“This is personal for me,” Sullivan said. “I’ve been blessed in business, but it all started here. Everything I’ve accomplished stems from the foundation I got in Steelton.”

After earning a scholarship to the University of Virginia, Sullivan played wide receiver in 1973-74 for the Cleveland Browns before a career-ending injury in the mid-1970s. He went on to lead Gibraltar Mausoleum and Saber Management, helping grow both into major players in the funeral services industry. Together, he and Sara have supported other philanthropic efforts, including more than $50,000 donated to Amy For Africa, a Christian education mission in Uganda.

Their support is giving the stadium project the momentum it needs.

“We knew this needed financial support, and we felt called to help,” Sullivan said. “This is a spark for others to join in. Now is the time to get involved—full steam ahead.”

The project is divided into three phases:

• Phase One: Install turf field, upgrade lighting and stormwater systems, and build a six-lane Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association-compliant track.
  
• Phase Two: Replace the 1918 bleachers with ADA-compliant grandstands, construct a new press box, classrooms, kitchen, and restrooms.
  
• Phase Three: Create a Career, Education and Wellness Center featuring a fitness studio, nutrition kitchen, and counseling services.

“This is about more than sports,” Erby said. “It’s about saving lives and building futures. What we’re doing here will impact generations.”

There is currently no set timeline for completion, and the school is actively seeking additional donors to help fully fund the $9 million initiative. No taxpayer dollars will be used.

To learn more or support the project, visit the Roller National Foundation at rollernationfoundation.org.