HEADstrong Teams Up With Little East Conference For DIII Week Challenge

PHILADELPHIA, PA (March 30, 2021) – The Little East Conference (LEC) Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Committee has selected the HEADstrong Foundation for a LEC Challenge Run during Division III Week, which takes place April 5-11, 2021. Participation in the one-mile virtual run is free, the LEC institution with the most participants will be recognized as the LEC Challenge Run Champion. 

The event is open to all current student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, family members and alumni, who can register for the event through their institution’s online registration page by clicking on the appropriate link below. Those who will not be participating but wish to pledge their financial support to a runner/institution are encouraged to do so through the institution pages. The LEC SAAC Executive Committee’s fundraising goal for this event is $20,000. 

Castleton | Eastern Connecticut | Keene State | UMass Boston | UMass Dartmouth | Plymouth State | Rhode Island College | Southern Maine | Western Connecticut 

“I’m really excited that the LEC is partnering with the nationally recognized HEADstrong Foundation, which strives to improve the lives of those affected by cancer,” said Paxton Blanchard, a senior men’s lacrosse student athlete at Keene State College and the LEC’s current Division III National SAAC Representative. “Like many student-athletes, my teammates and I grew up playing lacrosse while sporting the lime green laces and paying tribute to this great cause with green sneakers, cleats, sticks, and more. I am humbled to have the opportunity to play a leading role in bringing the LEC and HEADstrong together through the SAAC Executive Committee. There’s no better feeling than being able to do it through the sports we love with the common goal of wanting to help people in need.”

Division III Week is a positive opportunity for all individuals associated with Division III to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on the campus and surrounding community. During the week, every Division III school and conference office is encouraged to conduct a type of outreach activity that falls into one of three categories: academic accomplishment; athletic experience; or leadership/community service/campus involvement.

“It speaks volumes of the Little East Conference student-athletes that they want to celebrate this week by helping others,” said Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom. “As a non-profit organization that proudly takes a team approach to serving the needs of families navigating the most harrowing of circumstances, it means the world to have their support. This is an amazing opportunity for student-athletes to learn about the cause and have real impact in the lives of the families that we help on a daily basis.” 

About the HEADstrong Foundation:

HEADstrong Foundation (EIN:26-0283021) Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori founded the HEADstrong Foundation in 2006 while undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The organization is committed to serving as a direct resource to families overcome by cancer, offering financial, emotional, logistical and residential support including Nick’s House. Our promise is to uphold, preserve and expand our founders vision and final request that others would benefit from his life and experience through cancer. For more information on the HEADstrong Foundation and its mission of improving lives affected by cancer, visit www.headstrong.org and follow @HEADstrongFnd on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

About the Little East Conference:

The LEC was formed in 1986 when six public institutions gathered to create a single sport athletic conference and has expanded into what is now New England’s premier athletic conference for public institutions in NCAA Division III. The LEC features 19 championship sports and sponsors quality competition in every season for our student-athletes, while following the Division III mission of passion, responsibility, sportsmanship and citizenship. The Little East consists of nine primary institutions that encompass all six New England states – Castleton University (Vt.), Eastern Connecticut State University, Keene State College (N.H.), UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, Plymouth State University (N.H.), Rhode Island College, University of Southern Maine, and Western Connecticut State University.