‘Angel on the Field’: Late Brother Inspires Jennings Family
Top StoriesTiare Jennings was 0 for 2 at the plate and her father, Ignacio, could feel his frustration building inside. As Tiare entered the on-deck circle for her next at-bat, Ignacio noticed a butterfly floating nearby.
Ignacio instantly knew what it meant. It was his late son telling him to relax and not worry. Tiare stepped to the plate a few seconds later and drilled a double to the gap.
Second-seeded Oklahoma will be going for an unprecedented fourth straight NCAA title as the Women’s College World Series begins this week in Oklahoma City. Tiare, a senior All-American, has never known a season that didn’t end with her lifting a championship trophy and celebrating with teammates on the field at Hall of Fame Stadium, now Devon Park.
Her family has been right by her side throughout the journey, even her first-born brother. Although he’s never been there in physical body, he’s always been there in spirit.
Kalaea Christopher Jennings passed away on September 8, 2007 at 4 ½ months old from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the sudden unexplained death of a child less than one year of age. The cause of SIDS is unknown, and the baby usually seems healthy. It often happens during sleep.
“There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think of him,” Tiare said. “I was very young when he passed but I remember a lot about him.”
The Jennings family – mother, Maria; father, Ignacio; children Tiare, Tele and Elai – celebrate Kalaea’s birthday every April 23rd and the day he passed away on September 8th. Tiare and Tele, a rising sophomore outfielder at the University of San Diego, both wear No. 23 in honor of Kalaea’s birthday.
The family members have tattoos that incorporate Samoan culture as well as a butterfly or Kalaea’s name. Their family motto, ‘if you fall down, get right back up,’ stems from his tragic death.
“It was tough obviously, but we are big in our faith and we believe that things happen for a reason,” Iganacio said. “I tell the girls all the time only God knows what could have happened if I didn’t have them.”
Their children and their sports activities helped the family through the grieving process. Over the years, the Jennings’ held softball events and silent auctions that raised more than $200,000 in honor of Kalaea to donate to First Candle, a nonprofit dedicated to ending SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths while providing bereavement support to families who have experienced loss.
“I don’t know if we could have gotten through it without our kids. Even statistically, the divorce rate is super high with SIDS, so our kids were a blessing,” Maria said. “I always say about our son, Elai, who was born two years later, I have my angel in heaven and my angel on earth now.”
Proud Softball Sisters
Tiare and Tele were both multi-sport athletes growing up in Southern California and thought they may pursue soccer careers. But both eventually chose softball once they narrowed their focus for college.
The sisters have an older cousin named Tiare Jennings, who played for New Mexico State from 2009-2012 (Tiare is a paternal grandmother’s name). The family used to joke about who would be the better softball-playing Tiare Jennings.
“My Tiare grew up and started reaching different accolades and even my niece would come watch her play and was like, ‘Oh man, she is better than me in terms of softball,’” Ignacio said. “At the beginning, you would Google ‘Tiare Jennings’ and my niece would show up. But now my daughter does.”
Tiare and Tele have always been extremely close, but softball has only strengthened their bond over the years.
“Tele is very different from me in such a good way and she just inspires me in every way possible,” Tiare said. “We call each other walking to class, after practice, before we go to sleep, and sometimes we just sit on FaceTime and say nothing to each other but we just want to be on the phone. She is my best friend.”
Tele frequently gets asked how it feels to be the younger sister of such a successful player who has won just about every accolade possible at the college level.
“I think being her sister is the coolest thing in the world,” Tele said. “She is like a stud and how can you be jealous of that. It’s a good thing. I feel proud of her.”
Tele just completed her freshman season at USD. She was a full-time starter, batting .256 with 15 doubles and 21 RBIs. Although not on the same team, playing at the Division I level together was memorable for the sisters.
“It was so special. She is making her own name for herself and I am so proud of that,” Tiare said. “I always tried to not make her feel overlooked or feel pressure from being my sister. We don’t really talk softball much, but I always watched her games whenever I could and was just so proud of her. It’s definitely a full circle moment.”
Ignacio and Maria split time at each daughter’s college games this season while also trying to support their youngest son at his games as well.
“It was to the point where some people wondered if we were still married because Maria and I were never together,” Igancio said. “They would ask Tiare that question because it was rare we were in the same place at the same time. But it’s worth it to make sure we are always there for them.”
Wings and Prayers
The family will all be together this week in Oklahoma to watch Tiare and the Sooners try to make history with a fourth straight national title.
Maria will make her signature breakfast bagel sandwiches to help fuel Tiare. She scrambles two eggs with bacon in a frying pan and toasts a bagel. Then, she layers cream cheese, eggs, graded sharp cheddar cheese and four slices of bacon on the bagel.
“Carbs, protein–you get it all,” Maria said. “Tiare always ask me to make it when I’m in town.”
The family cherishes all the time they can spend together in one place. Tele plans to stay with Tiare in Oklahoma for a few weeks once the WCWS ends. Losing a child so early has provided a sobering prospective they all share.
“We thought our lives were perfect and then he was gone,” Maria said. “Everybody goes through so many things and nothing is guaranteed in life. It teaches you a lesson to appreciate what you have in front of you. That goes for anything in life.”
Any time the sisters were with their parents when they met someone new, they would insist their parents say they had four children instead of three. They have never wanted Kalaea to be left out of the conversation.
“I was so young that I don’t remember much, but it still affects me to this day,” Tele said. “It’s an honor for us to remember him in any way we can while we are playing. My sister and I really cherish being able to do that and keep his memory alive.”
Tiare has experienced more success than she could have ever imagined in college. It hasn’t come easy. She spent years working to be one of the best. She made sacrifices to stay longer at the field or take a few more swings in the cage.
Through it all, Tiare always knew Kalaea was right by her side.
“I see butterflies on the field to let me know that he is always on the field,” Tiare said. “He has shown me signs that he is watching and that comforts me when I play. He will always be my angel on the field.”