HEADstrong Foundation Announces 2016 Fall Collegiate Lacrosse Event Series

HOLMES, PA – This fall, the lacrosse community will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori’s courageous battle against non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with 8 special fundraising events supporting his vision, the HEADstrong Foundation. The events will feature 40 NCAA men’s and women’s lacrosse programs from around the country who will be raising funds and awareness to support the cause. Since Colleluori’s passing in the fall of 2006, the mission of the HEADstrong Foundation has taken flight, allocating more than $9 million dollars which has impacted more than 13,100 families affected by cancer. With student-philanthropy as a backdrop the non-profit organization has built a platform focused on directly helping families in navigating their cancer journey with an improved quality of life. Proceeds from the 2016 fall event series will support HEADstrong efforts ranging from their financial assistance program to Nick’s House™, a facility operated by the organization that provides complementary lodging and amenities to families displaced to the Greater Philadelphia Region seeking comprehensive cancer care.

2016 HEADstrong Fall Event Series
9/18 – 3rd Annual Run The Park Challenge, Ridley Park, PA
10/8 – Nicholas Colleluori Classic Long Island at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY (MLAX)
10/8 –HEADstrong Fall Scrimmages New England, Sacred Heart University and Hartford University (MLAX)
10/9 – Nicholas Colleluori Classic Baltimore at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (MLAX)
10/15 – Nicholas Colleluori Classic at Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY (WLAX)
10/16 – University City Classic at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (MLAX/WLAX)
10/22 – HEADstrong Fall Scrimmages Philadelphia (DIII), Cabrini University, Radnor, PA (MLAX)

On Sunday, September 18th the HEADstrong Foundation will present the 3rd Annual Run The Park Challenge. This is an incredible event for the entire family featuring a challenging 5K race that takes runners on a scenic tour of historic Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. The race will be followed by a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, Kid’s Dash all leading up to the famous Ridley Park Rubber Ducky Regatta. For more information or to participate please visit, https://headstrong.org/event/3rd-annual-run-the-park-5k/

On Saturday, October 8th, two events will take place in support of the cause. The Nicholas Colleluori Classic Long Island will be held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY and will feature Hobart College, Hofstra University, Lafayette College, Mount St. Mary’s University and Yale University in men’s lacrosse action. Sacred Heart University will host Monmouth University and Hartford University will host Holy Cross University in the HEADstrong Fall Scrimmages New England.

On Sunday, October 9th, the Baltimore lacrosse community will have the opportunity to support the cause with 5 NCAA men’s lacrosse teams’ facing off at the Nicholas Colleluori Classic Baltimore at Johns Hopkins University. Legendary Homewood Field will feature: Georgetown University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Richmond University and University of Albany. Proceeds will support HEADstrong’s efforts at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.

On Saturday, October 15th, HEADstrong will return to Hofstra University for the 9th Annual Women’s Nicholas Colleluori Classic. This year will feature 11 top NCAA women’s lacrosse programs including: Adelphi College, Binghamton University, Central Connecticut State University, Hofstra University, Long Island University Brooklyn, Long Island University Post, Manhattan University, New York Athletic Club, Siena College, UMASS Lowell and Wagner College.

On Sunday, October 16th HEADstrong will present the University City Classic at the University of Pennsylvania. This year’s event will feature a men’s and women’s Division I component as well as a DIII men’s bracket. The women will play at historic Franklin Field while the men will compete at picturesque Penn Park. This year’s DI men’s field will include: Drexel University, Lehigh University, Quinnipiac University, University of Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph’s University and Syracuse University. The DI women’s field will include: Georgetown University, University of Delaware, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California. The DIII men’s field will include: Lycoming College, Rosemont College, Stockton University and Williamson College of the Trades.

HEADstrong’s fall fundraising event series will conclude on Saturday, October 22nd with the HEADstrong Fall Scrimmages Philadelphia DIII taking place on the campus of Cabrini University in Radnor, PA. The event will feature Cabrini University, Montclair State University and Widener University in fall lacrosse action.

HEADstrong’s fall fundraising event series will lead up to the kick-off of Lacrosse Mustache Madness, an annual facial hair growing fundraising campaign which will run from October 19th – November 28th.

“This fall will commemorate the 10th anniversary of our Nick’s courageous battle and untimely passing to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Joining us this year will be 40 of the top college men’s and women’s lacrosse programs and many more who will support the cause from afar. We are fueled by the love and support that we continue to receive and look forward to sharing the fall with so many great lacrosse families. 10 years have gone by in the blink of the eye and we have never been more driven or motivated to share Nick’s legacy with the world. I cling to one of the last things that our Nick said to me, “Mom, this lacrosse community is our family and they will never let us down.” $8.5 million dollars and 13,100 families later, Nick’s vision continues to see new heights. We are so humbled to see the continued support and teams from all over the country finding inspiration in our Nick, our work and who have picked up the ball where he left off. On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation, the Colleluori family and our founder, Nicholas, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to all of the teams, supporters and volunteers taking part in part of our fall event series this year.” – Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom

For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation, please visit www.HEADstrong.org.