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Crosstown rivals team up to honor former coach

Friday, crosstown rivals Rocky and Alleman teamed up, with coaches, players and students from both schools wearing grey in honor of former Rock Island soccer co...

On a normal night at the Rock Island Fieldhouse, there's no love lost between the Rock Island Rocks and the Alleman Pioneers.

Friday, though, the crosstown rivals teamed up, with coaches, players and students from both schools wearing grey in honor of former Rock Island soccer coach Conan Dalton. Dalton passed away after a seven-year battle with brain cancer on Sunday, November 30, 2014.

"He was awesome. He cared about everyone else before he cared about himself, and we all cherished him very much for what he's been through and what we saw of him," said Shaunee Kirkpatrick, a Rocky senior who played under Dalton for two years.

"He's great, he was a great coach. He taught me most of the things I know now," said Bryce Kent, a Rocky freshman who also knew Dalton.

Kent says it wasn't just Dalton's coaching skills, though, that made him unique.

"Probably his ethic, and the way he did things. It was so fluent in everything he did," said Kent.

That's why it was an easy decision for the Alleman student section to join its opponent in sporting grey, the color of brain cancer awareness.

"With Rocky, we're big rivals, but for stuff like this we come together and act as one whole, big Western Big Six, and it's really nice to see," said Alleman senior Michaela Hird. "It's really amazing because even though not everyone knew him, they knew his story... it's just an incredible night to see everyone like this."

Friends have organized a fundraiser for Dalton's family called 'Kicks for Conan.' The two-day event is happening on December 27th and 28th at the River’s Edge in Davenport, and includes soccer games and a silent auction.

You can find more information here.

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