Colgate University Athletics

Justin Wolford

The women's tennis team at the 2019 heart awareness match with Head Coach Bobby Pennington holding his son, Clifford

Women's Tennis 2/23/2022 5:00:00 PM Omar Ricardo Aquije

Colgate hosts annual Children's Heart Awareness match

Event will raise pediatric heart awareness and benefit hospital that saved life of coach’s son

When the Raiders return to action on Saturday, they'll be playing for an important cause.

The Colgate men's and women's tennis teams will host the sixth annual Children's Heart Awareness match, where fans can purchase $10 T-shirts to benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester. Donations are also accepted.

The women's match begins at 10 a.m. against Binghamton while the men take on Hobart at 2 p.m. Both teams will play at Sanford Fieldhouse.

In March 2016, Clifford Pennington, son of Colgate Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach Bobby Pennington, had open heart surgery at the Golisano Children's Hospital.

Clifford, who was born with a heart defect, was a week old when he underwent the eight-hour, life-saving procedure. Wishing to raise pediatric heart awareness and support the hospital, Bobby Pennington founded the charity match a year later.

"One in every 100 babies is born with a heart condition," Pennington said. "Clifford was one of the fortunate ones because it wasn't terminal."

Pennington said Golisano's staff was exceptional, providing his son with tremendous care while comforting his family during a difficult period that spanned nearly a month. Coach Pennington specifically gives special thanks to the nurse, Lisa Smith, who discovered the condition, known as coarctation of the aorta, his cardiologist, Dr. Frank Smith, and surgeon, Dr. George Alfieris.

"We wanted to give back as much as we could," he said.

Tennis childrens heart awareness

The heart awareness match has become an annual event that has brought in generous donations. It's also catching on at other institutions. Hamilton College had a heart awareness game, and other colleges are talking about hosting similar events, Pennington said.

The Colgate tennis teams will wear special uniforms to commemorate the event. It will also be the first time since 2020 that the student-athletes will play in front of fans.

COVID-19 restrictions prevented Colgate from having spectators at last year's event.

"I encourage everyone to come out," Pennington said. "We are very fortunate now because we could have spectators at the games. Overall, it should be a great day."

Clifford recovered from his surgery and is a healthy 6-year-old, playing various sports and living a normal life. He will handle the coin toss at the heart awareness match.

"He's doing great," Pennington said. "He has a very big scar, but other than that, you'd never know he had heart surgery."

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