Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/18/12
From Press Release
The HEADstrong Foundation, in partnership with the Hofstra University Women’s Lacrosse Team, is proud to announce the 4th Annual Women’s Nicholas Colleluori Fall Lacrosse Classic on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at Hofstra University.
This year 11 Collegiate Women’s Lacrosse programs will descend upon Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium to be a part of the event. With the HEADstrong Foundation strategically focusing efforts in women’s lacrosse their hope is to inform, educate, inspire and rally lacrosse programs across the country to be part of this event and others like it in the future.
Inspired to make a difference in the lives of patients and families of blood cancer, in 2008, the Hofstra Women’s Lacrosse Team created this special event to remember Ridley High grad Nick Colleluori, their fallen Hofstra teammate, who passed away in 2006 after a lengthy fight with Non-Hodgkin’s Leukemia while a student-athlete for the Pride. Since its inception the event has helped generate over $100,000 for the HEADstrong Foundation, strengthening its commitment to fighting blood cancers and improving the quality of life for patients and families dealing with the disease.
The HEADstrong Foundation welcomes new Hofstra Athletic Director Jeffrey Hathaway and new Women’s Head Lacrosse Coach Shannon Smith.
This year’s line-up includes the following programs:
Central Connecticut State University, CW Post, Hofstra University, Iona College, LaSalle University, Long Island University, Manhattan College, New York Athletic Club, Stony Brook University, SUNY Cortland and Villanova University
“First and foremost we welcome Coach Shannon Smith and Athletic Director Jeffrey Hathaway to our Hofstra/HEADstrong family,” said Cheryly Colleluori, Nick’s mom and the Presidetn of the HEADstrong Foundation. “On behalf of the Colleluori family, we thank them for their commitment to remembering our son and brother Nicholas and we look forward to forging a wonderful relationship.
“This event stands as a memorial for those who have lost their battle, a chance to recognize those who are fighting and a celebration for survivors of blood cancers. Through the sport of lacrosse we have the ability to make a difference and improve the quality of life for these patients and their families.
“Hofstra University is our home away from home and the comfort that we feel when we are back at school is the same comfort that we provide the patients and their families at Nick’s House™. We are sincerely grateful to Hofstra University Athletics for continuing traditions, remembering our Nick and being inspired to make a difference.”
