41 Teams Unite During HEADstrong’s Fall Fundraising Series To Raise $200,000 For Families Affected By Cancer

For Immediate Release
Contact: Pat Colleluori
Phone: 610-461-5987
Email: [email protected]

 

HOLMES, PA – HEADstrong’s 2017 Fall Fundraising Series concluded on Sunday, October 22nd with a beautiful day of college lacrosse at the University City Classic held at Penn Park on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  The event was just one of 8 special lacrosse fundraising events supporting the vision of HEADstrong founder, Nicholas Colleluori held this fall.  The events featured more than 41 NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse programs from around the country, who collectively raised more than $200,000 to support the cause.

The lacrosse action got underway on Saturday, October 14th with the Nicholas Colleluori Classic Long Island at Hofstra University which featured Bucknell University, University of Hartford, Hofstra University, Lehigh University and Penn State University in men’s lacrosse action.

The following day, on Sunday, October 15th, HEADstrong was the benefactor of 5 college lacrosse events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including the 10th Annual Nicholas Colleluori Women’s Classic at Hofstra University which featured Boston College, Hofstra University, University of Connecticut and University of Michigan.  Across the island, in Brookville, Long Island University Post welcomed Adelphi University, Central Connecticut State University, Hofstra University Women’s Lacrosse Alumni, Long Island University Brooklyn, Manhattan College, New York Athletic Club, Quinnipiac University and Villanova University.

In Piscataway, Rutgers University hosted Fairfield University, Siena College and Wagner College.  In Philadelphia at historic Franklin Field, the University of Pennsylvania hosted Temple University, University of Southern California, and the University of Virginia in women’s lacrosse action.

In Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University welcomed Army, University of Albany and University of Richmond for the Nicholas Colleluori Classic Baltimore at Boy’s Latin School.

The following weekend Cabrini University welcomed Montclair State University and Scranton University in the 2nd Annual HEADstrong DIII Fall Scrimmage.  On Sunday October 22nd, HEADstrong presented the annual University City Classic at Penn Park.  This year’s event featured 8 Division 1 teams including, Bellarmine University, Drexel University, Lafayette College, Monmouth University, University of Delaware, Quinnipiac University, University of Maryland Baltimore County and University of Pennsylvania.

Student philanthropy is at the heart of HEADstrong’s 2017 Fall Fundraising Series but one of the most important elements is the involvement of the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Officials Association led by Tom Abbott and a dedicated core of officials, timers and evaluators who generously donate their time and fees to advance the cause.  As the NCAA Division I officials assigner, Tom Abbott has embraced the cause and has worked diligently to utilize them as evaluation periods for incoming and new collegiate officials.

“We are so thankful and gracious to Tom Abbott and the NCAA Officials for their relentless commitment to our cause. We have a special place in our hearts for Tom and all of the officials.  We wish to thank them from the bottom of our hearts for embracing our cause and keeping Nick’s spirit alive in all aspects of the game.” said Cheryl Colleluori, HF President and Nick’s Mom

Since Colleluori’s passing in the fall of 2006, the mission of the HEADstrong Foundation has taken flight.  The 501c3 non-profit organization has since raised more than $10.5 million dollars which has impacted more than 14,000 families affected by cancer.  Currently, HEADstrong is amidst a major capital project in the construction and renovations of their second Nick’s House location in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.  The new guest family home which is expected to begin families in the first quarter of 2018, will provide an additional 2,555 nights of complimentary lodging and support for families displaced to the Greater Philadelphia region seeking comprehensive cancer care and clinical trials.  With student-philanthropy as a backdrop HEADstrong has built a platform focused on directly helping families in navigating their cancer journey with an improved quality of life. Proceeds from the events will advance HEADstrong’s mission of improving lives affected by cancer.

“Our 2017 Fundraising Event Series was an incredible success and we are truly humbled by the continued support.  These events are so much more than competition on the field.  They unite the college game and celebrate the importance of making a difference for families who have been devastated by the realities of cancer.  This year, our 41 teams had the privilege of meeting and hearing from real families in the fight and we were brought to tears as our participating teams rallied around our Fighter Families.  They experienced firsthand our generosity as we presented financial assistance to help these families through the darkest days of their lives.  Through partnerships with Hofstra University, Long Island University Post, Johns Hopkins University, Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania and Cabrini University we will presented 8 special lacrosse events which featured the largest field of participating teams in the history of the HEADstrong Foundation.  We are incredibly humbled to see the continued support of teams from all over the country finding inspiration in our Nick and our work.  On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation, the Colleluori family, our founder, Nicholas and those we so graciously serve, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our participating teams, supporters and volunteers playing a part in our fall event series this year and look forward to engaging even more teams next year.” – Cheryl Colleluori

For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation please visit www.HEADstrong.org or follow HEADstrong on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @HEADstrongFnd.

 

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