HEADstrong Lacrosse’s Nick Perna Commits to The University of Tampa

By: Jennifer Hoffman

For Nick Perna, playing for HEADstrong Lacrosse was a no brainer.

The goalie for Mainland Regional High School’s lacrosse team has always been involved with cancer charity work, and understands how a cancer diagnosis can seriously alter someone’s life as he knows several friends and family members who have had cancer. 

HEADstrong gave me a way to really connect with and help people. It combined lacrosse and charity work. It just made sense.” Nick said. 

Nick first picked up a lacrosse stick when he was in third grade and he never looked back. 

“When I first started playing for HEADstrong lax, the people I’ve met are some of the nicest players I’ve ever come across. From there I got along with it and then doing charity work, landscaping projects we did at Nick’s House. I really liked it and I felt good about giving back. I decided that I would stay with the team because I loved the team. “ he remarked. 

Perna has just committed to the University of Tampa to play Division II lacrosse and major in nursing. As he said, he owes it all to HEADstrong, if it weren’t for the club he may have never been recruited after suffering a thumb injury in his junior year. 

“HEADstrong gave me the chance to go there (Tampa). That was a key part of the recruiting process. They put me in situations where I was being exposed to these coaches at tournaments. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have met any of the coaches at Tampa if I didn’t play for HEADstrong.“ Nick said. 

Tampa was Perna’s first choice for academics and being able to play lacrosse there is just a bonus. He decided to major in nursing because he’s always been interested in the medical field, his mom is a nurse and being able to help people is a true passion of his. 

Nick is in a league of his own; he is one of the first HEADstrong Lacrosse players to commit to a Division II program.

 “HEADstrong gave me the chance to play in college.” remarked Perna.