Tennis for Pancreatic Cancer

Brentwood, N.Y. (October 2018)—The Brentwood Union Free School District recently partnered with the Central Islip School District to hold a surprise charity tennis match to support pancreatic cancer research. The event was organized to pay tribute to Brentwood High School varsity tennis coach Brian Rooney’s father, who recently passed away from pancreatic cancer after courageously battling the disease for more than two years. Throughout the match between the two schools, students raised money to support the Lustgarten Foundation and pancreatic cancer research. In addition, the Central Islip High School players wore purple t-shirts to represent their support for pancreatic cancer awareness. “Tennis for Pancreatic Cancer” was written across the front of the shirt with “In Memory of Kevin M. Rooney” written on the back.

“It was a beautiful tribute and we were moved beyond words,” said Brian Rooney. “Thank you Coach Turk and the Central Islip tennis team for helping us raise money for the Lustgarten Foundation and honor my father’s memory. It meant so much to my family.”

The Brentwood High School and the Central Islip High School tennis teams came together to decorate a banner that hung on the tennis court fence in memory of Coach Rooney’s father. This event reflected the close-knit community that exists in Central Islip and Brentwood, and was a testament to the focus on community activism both schools have instilled in their student populations.

Brentwood Union Free School District’s varsity tennis coach and teacher Mr. Rooney with his family at the surprise benefit match against Central Islip to honor his father, Kevin Rooney, who lost his two-year battle with pancreatic cancer in June.