This is one of a series of articles counting down the Top 20 Stories of Philly lacrosse for 2010
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/10/11
His message continues to grow.
When Nick Colleluori was fighting non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma five years ago while a lacrosse player at Hofstra University, he created the idea of the HEADstrong Foundation.
His point: never give up.
“I was real honored to be a witness to his struggle and all the great things he did with it,” said Philadelphia Wings standout Athan Iannucci, who played with Nick at Hofstra. “Instead of rolling over and calling it quits, he dug in his heals and made a difference with as many people as possible.
“I really respected that. Nick would come in the locker room with tubes coming out of his chest … no hair, and say , ‘I wish I could be here with you guys.’ He would give us the greatest speeches. it was a pretty moving year and he had a lot to do with our success (17 straight wins) that year.”
Today, more than four years since his death, Nick Colleluori’s spirit grows. Last October, the HEADstrong Foundation saw well over 7,000 people attend the 4th annual Nick Colleluori Classic at Ridley High, his alma mater. Twenty college teams from Divisions I, II and III teams participated in the two-day event. Several weeks earlier, 14 teams competed in the 2nd annual Nick Colleluori Women’s Classic at Hofstra.
In all for 2010, the HEADstrong Foundation raised $775,000 for blood cancer awareness and treatment, according to President Cheryl Colleluori, Nick’s mother. This remarkable total was achieved through donations, ticket sales from the events, sales of lime green laces and Relentless apparel and sticks, sponsorships from “Score for a Cure” and through numerous HEADstrong events through the year.
The combined contributions of the HEADstrong Foundation and the Nick Colleluori men’s and women’s tournaments were rated as the No. 10 Story of the Year in Philly lacrosse by Phillylacrosse.com.
The following are articles on the two events:
Nick Colleluori Women’s Classic at Hofstra raises $42,000
Slideshow of Nick Colleluori Classic
Division I coaches weigh in on Nick Colleluori Classic
Division II, III coaches weigh in on Nick Colleluori Classic
Eastern goalie Benz is winning fight against blood cancer
Ridley grad Terenick, Cabrini players honor memory of Nick Colleluori
Villanova-Cornell game is D1 highlight from Nick Colleluori Classic
Cancer survivor Clifford is giving back to HEADstrong Foundation
Penn State Abington basks in experience of Nick Colleluori Classic
Follow-up to first day of action at Nick Colleluori Classic
Mount St. Mary’s coach Gravante is example of why the fight against blood cancer is worth it
Thousands mourn loss of Bellarmine coach McGetrick to cancer
Nick Colleluori Classic gets underway with thousands in attendance
Second annual Nick Colleluori Women’s Classic is big hit at Hofstra
