USILA/HEADSTRONG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH SET TO BEGIN

NCAA lacrosse teams across the country are set to band together throughout the month of April USILA/HEADstrong Foundation Cancer Awareness Month in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer.  The landmark initiative will take place for the entire month of April, in which lacrosse teams nationwide will be asked to make a statement on the playing field by pledging a game, raising funds and wearing HEADstrong awareness accessories in support of the cause.

During April, DI, DII and DIII teams will have the ability to host “Lime Outs” involving fan participation, donations in lieu of admission and online fundraising to support the cause.  Coaches will be asked to show their support by wearing a commemorative pin and teams will have the ability to wear lime green accessories including: shoelaces, knee band, crew socks and patches, which will be available for purchase with proceeds supporting the cause at www.HEADstrong.org/shop. 

To date, over 65 schools will be participating in a HEADstrong foundation cancer awareness initiative this season.

Below is a listing of participating institutions:

Date: Time: Host School: Opponent: Division
4/1/2017 1pm Stevens Ithaca III
4/1/2017 1pm Utica Houghton III
4/1/2017 12pm Folsom Ridley III
4/1/2017 1pm Villanova University Marquette University I
4/5/2017 7pm Hobart College Syracuse University I
4/8/2017 1pm Binghamton University Hartford I
4/8/2017 4pm Elmira Houghton III
4/8/2017 1pm Oneonta State Potsdam State III
4/11/2017 7pm Lehigh Princeton I
4/12/2017 3:30pm Belmont Abbey Emmanuel College III
4/13/2017 7pm Lindenwood Rockhurst II
4/14/2017 7pm (CST) Rhodes College Sewanee University III
4/15/2017 2pm Johns Hopkins University Penn State University I
4/15/2017 1pm Alfred Elmira III
4/15/2017 1pm   Hartford UMass Lowell I
4/18/2017 7pm St. John Fisher Elmira III
4/18/2017 7pm Houghton Nazareth III
4/18/2017 7pm Robert Morris University Canisius I
4/19/2017 7pm Pace University Bentley II
4/22/2017 12pm Ithaca Alfred III
4/22/2017 3pm Hartwick Houghton III
 

Teams Also Participating in fundraising efforts
Tufts University
Robert Morris
Manhattan
Mount Ida
Immaculata University
SUNY Brockport
Manhattanville
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Georgian Court University
WCU
Cedar Grove High School
Interboro
Lincoln Memorial
Summit High School
Villanova Women’s
Columbia College Women’s
Lieviton PAL
Southern Lehigh
Pine-Richland
Germantown Academy
Bishop Fenwick
Floral Park
Westtown
Truman and Pennsbury

 
In 2005, Nicholas Colleluori, a lacrosse player at Hofstra University was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  Colleluori was a Division I lacrosse player entering his sophomore year at Hofstra University when he was terminally diagnosed with cancer.  His public fight from the sidelines captivated the nation and from his hospital bed he created an organization focused on empowering student-athletes to improve lives affected by the disease.  His vision was simple yet critical; helping real families when they needed it most, providing support so that families may live with a greater dignity and normalcy.  Colleluori fought to improve the inpatient experience, the affordability and accessibility of care and tackled the general concerns facing the patient population.  Understanding the ripple effect and impact that a cancer diagnosis had on a family, Colleluori championed efforts to support caregivers and capital projects to improve accommodations.  He built an awareness platform driven by lime green shoelaces, the national awareness color for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  He empowered his own family and in the last days of his life asked them to pick up the ball where he left off.  Nicholas lost his valiant battle on November 28th, 2006 but his legacy of toughness and determination lives on in the HEADstrong Foundation. Since 2007, HEADstrong has raised more than $9 million supporting more than 13,000 patients and their families. For more on the HEADstrong Foundation please visit www.HEADstrong.org.

Founded in 1885, USILA is the longest running college lacrosse organization in the country. USILA provides awards and officiating services to every NCAA Division I, II, and III men’s lacrosse program in the country. The association is entrusted to enhance and develop intercollegiate lacrosse by providing leadership, management, and services to its membership so that student–athletes, coaches, institutions, and other constituent groups will realize the maximum benefit from the sport of lacrosse. The organization also runs the National Player of the Week program, USILA/Nike All-America program and USILA/Nike North/South All-Star game which celebrated its 75th anniversary in May. 
 
Follow HEADstrong:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HEADstrongFND
Twitter: @HEADstrongfnd
Instagram: @HEADstrongfnd
 
Follow the USILA:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/usilalax/
Twitter: @USILA_Lax
Instagram: @USILA_Lax