Big 33’s executive director has died at the age of 51

“We are extremely saddened to announce the passing of Big 33 Director Dave Trimbur,” the foundation posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday. “Our condolences and prayers go to his family.”

An obituary for Trimbur, director of the Harrisburg nonprofit since 2009, said he passed away Monday at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

The Big 33 Football Classic is an all-star game featuring the top high school players from Pennsylvania and all-star players from another state. Currently, the game is played against Maryland players, but past matchups have included players from Ohio and Texas.

The game, which has been played since 1957, raises money for academic scholarships and other charitable activities.

Trimbur, of York, joined the foundation in 1998. He helped grow the Big 33 football game and also helped create the Big 26 Baseball Classic.

“Dave Trimbur’s legacy will be about much more than a football or baseball game,” Jeanne DeDay, foundation president, said in a statement today. “Anyone who knew Dave saw firsthand how much he cared for students, athletes, buddies and their families. He spent countless hours throughout the year raising scholarship dollars for our foundation to benefit students across Pennsylvania.”

Eric Thomas, who has covered the Big 33 game for many years, including sideline reporter for this year’s television broadcast, said the following on his Facebook page: “Dave worked very hard and listened to suggestions on how to get the Big 33 back to where it used to be. And after being a part of the broadcast team for the first time since 2006, and first time covering it in general since 2011, I’d say he was doing an exceptional job given the obstacles this game has faced over the years. This is a big blow to the recruiting community and local (high school) football community. Condolences to his family and the staff at the Big 33.”

A process to name a successor will begin in early 2017, the foundation said.

A mass of Christian burial for Trimbur will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 219 S. Beaver St., York, with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m.

Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.