Our Founder

An undersized 3 sport athlete noted for his never-give-up mental toughness, determination and aggressiveness, Nick received countless accolades in football, wrestling and lacrosse during his high school years.

He accepted an athletic scholarship to Hofstra University joining their Men’s Lacrosse Program, a childhood dream fulfilled. While at Hofstra, Nick took the field in all 16 games as a freshman, cracking the Pride’s lineup and seeing significant minutes on their man-down unit.

In April 2005, towards the end of his freshman season, Nick had difficulty hearing play calls and his family’s cheers during a game against Delaware. He woke up the following morning unable to hear from his right ear. He was evaluated by an Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor who removed inflamed adenoids and biopsies revealed Nicholas was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

After doctors told Nicholas there was nothing they could do to prolong his life, Nicholas made his final wishes to his parents on a ride home from the hospital. He took the car keys out of his father’s hands and said, ‘Dad, you’re too upset to drive. Mom, I want you to drive. Dad, I want you to get in the back seat because there are some things I need to talk to Mom about,’” Cheryl Colleluori recalls. “He held my hand. We were sitting side-by-side. I’m driving home, and Nick says, ‘I want to talk about three things, and I never want to talk about them again.’” First, he wanted to be cremated and buried. Second, he wanted a memorial scholarship at Ridley High School and at Hofstra University. And finally, Nicholas said, “Mom, I need you to take the Foundation to where it needs to go. “Don’t question anything,” he told her. “The lacrosse family is my brotherhood. They won’t turn their backs on you.”