Oak Lawn Baseball Team Goes to Bat for Coach's Son

When members of the Oak Lawn Community High School baseball team step to the plate to participate in a St. Baldrick’s Day fundraiser on Monday, March 12, each and every one will be swinging for the fences.

Their intent: To hit a home run for their coach, Brian Clifton, and his son, Tommy, who is battling cancer.

The Spartans have agreed to shave their heads—all the baseball players and coaches—as part of the National Honor Society’s annual St. Baldrick’s Day event to raise money for pediatric cancer research. They’ll take their cuts at about 12:30 p.m. in the school gym.

“The varsity baseball program has been brainstorming on ways we can demonstrate our support for the Clifton family and Tommy during this difficult time,” Oak Lawn assistant coach Brian Brandt said in a news release.

“St. Baldrick’s affords us the opportunity to raise money for a wonderful cause and to let Coach Clifton and his son Tommy know that we have their back and will remain in their corner until Tommy fully recovers and returns home where he belongs.”

The Cliftons are scheduled to attend a Monday morning event at Holy Redeemer Church in Evergreen Park. Members of the congregation have raised thousands in a show of support for the family and have created a fundraising team on the St. Baldrick’s website: Tommy’s Brigade.

Oak Lawn Community High School also has a fundraising team on the St. Baldrick’s website listed under Brandt’s name. Anyone can make a contribution. A banner on the school’s website is available at www.olchs.org.