November 4, 2008 by Jimmy Economos

10/12/2009 KENNESAW, Ga. -  Kennesaw State University hosted a star-studded charity tennis event benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Atlanta AIDS Partnership Fund. Tennis superstars Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova, Anna Kournikova and others will join Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King for the 16th annual Advanta World TeamTennis Smash Hits celebrity fundraiser Oct. 12 at Kennesaw State's 4,500-seat Convocation Center. The event raised funds to fight HIV and AIDS. Advanta WTT Smash Hits has raised more than $8.5 million since 1993. Longtime Kennesaw State University supporter Bobbie Bailey is co-chair of the event.

Spectrum Entertainment donated the AV equiptment required for the live auction which raised over $171,000 of the event's total held before the games, with top items including two Wimbledon packages with Billie Jean King's personal Center Court seats - which sold for $21,000 each - as well as Elton John's autographed piano bench and a Super Bowl package.

Roddick surprised other bidders by successfully acquiring a $17,000 artwork made by Martina Navratilova and Slovak artist Juraj Kralik, created when Navratilova hit a paint-soaked tennis balls onto a blank canvas.

 "All of the money raised here today will stay here in the Atlanta market and in Georgia," said Sir Elton during a press conference. "Forty six percent of AIDS cases are now being reported in the South. We are distinctly aware of the problems here and the South will continue to be a priority for the foundation."

Spectrum Entertainment's own Jimmy Economos was on site to assist with AV for the live auction and donate his time to the worthy cause.

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