“As black a day as I've seen.” Those were the words used by Richard Brodhead, former Dean of Yale University, to describe the events of January 17, 2003. Many Yale alumni, family members, and friends recall the vivid memory of awakening that cold, snowy morning to the horror that would forever change their lives. The unimaginable occurred - nine Yale students, all DKE fraternity brothers, were involved in a terrible car accident. Their SUV slid on the snowy ground of I-95, crashing into the bed of a jack-knifed trailer that was obscured in the dark night due to faulty highway lighting. Four of our friends passed away and immediately the shocking impact of the accident swept across the Yale community. The passing of our friends, Kyle Burnat, Andrew Dwyer, Sean Fenton and Nick Grass was devastating to us all. For many of us, it was the first time we were forced to deal with the fragility of human life and the pain of true loss.

These four men were sons, brothers and friends to many. They were tremendous athletes valued by their teammates, well-liked members of the community and a part of a social core that made just about anyone feel like a family. They had hopes and dreams that they never saw fulfilled. From first jobs to raising children, those things we all assume we will one day experience were denied to them in a single senseless moment. Together, we had the honor of bearing witness to their passion and enthusiasm for life. Although deeply saddened by the loss of our friends, we were inspired to, one day, start a Foundation in their honor. In keeping with this promise, we founded the Bulldogs Care Foundation (BCF) to raise money on behalf of these awe-inspiring young men. Our mission is to support disadvantaged youth as they pursue personal development through programs in athletics, education and mentoring.

We found through developing the mission of this Foundation that one does not have to lose their life to be denied the things we once considered certain in our own. There are many people in this world that are unable to reach their full potential due to economic and social circumstances. It is our intention to ensure that the legacy of our friends will make a lasting impression on the lives of those less fortunate. With this goal at heart, BCF will support organizations that foster teamwork and personal growth. We hope to create a brighter future for those who might not have had one without the influence of positive relationships and programs.

It is no secret that the entire community benefits when kids are involved in personal development programs - whether mentoring, athletics or other after-school activities. Providing these support systems to young people gives them the assistance and experience they need to become future leaders in their communities. It is widely recognized that participation in these programs can decrease the rate of drug and alcohol use and increase a person's ability to perform academically and socially. We believe that supporting these programs opens doors for young people, provides a chance to grow and an opportunity to pursue a better quality of life. 

We hope you will join us on our journey as we continue the legacy of brotherhood, friendship, community, and teamwork our friends exuded during their time with us. Kyle, Andrew, Sean and Nick were all young men taken in their prime, all with bright futures ahead of them. Although we cannot go back and save them from that terrible day, we can ensure that their spirit lives on through BCF and the people whose lives our funding and programs benefit.