Worcestershire batsman Tom Fell dedicated his century against Glamorgan to the county's Academy director Damian D'Oliveira who passed away earlier in the day and said: "I owe him so much."
Fell scored a career-best 133 out of 266-5 and was one of seven Academy products in the Worcestershire side in action in the LV = County Championship clash at New Road.
Another of them in Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored an unbeaten 60 and shared in a day-defining partnership of 168 in 52 overs with Fell.
The players were informed of D'Oliveira's death after a long fight against cancer just over an hour before the start of play by Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes on the outfield.
Fell, who had scored his first century in the previous Championship game against Leicestershire, said: "That was for Damian. Absolutely. Throughout the whole day, the thoughts have been with the family and Damian of course.
"It was really nice to have a good day for him. "Myself and Tom (Kohler-Cadmore) owe him so much. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him.
"He initially put me on the Academy when I was 14-15, he's coached me all through that and he has been a fantastic influence not only to myself but everyone at the club. Credit to such a fantastic man."
Fell admitted: "For everyone, it was such an emotional start to the day and people were tearing up all morning.
"I think what happened made it extra special for everyone in the side because we all know what Dolly would have wanted, a fantastic day for Worcestershire which is what it ended up being.
"It is hard to get something like that out of the back of your mind. Everyone was feeling it.
"I really felt for Mitch (Daryl Mitchell) and Rich (Richard Oliver) going in straight away after the minute's silence. It must have been pretty tough.
"I managed to put it to one side as much as I could and just focus on what we had to do which was to have a good day."
Fell added: "It was hard work early on, always the first hour or so it does a little bit here. Luckily it did flatten out the second session and they gave us a few more loose balls.
"We cashed in luckily. It was tough to start with but we pulled through. Michael Hogan is a fantastic bowler and has proved that with the number of wickets he has got the last couple of years."
Kohler-Cadmore followed his maiden Championship 50 at Grace Road with another commanding knock.
Fell said: "He was quite reserved today and I'm so happy to see him doing well.
"He had a tough start but to get runs at Leicester a couple of weeks ago and to do it again was fantastic. To have the partnership we did was really nice."
