Phillylacross.com, Posted 7/22/16
From Press Release
In taking another step in building upon its commitment to growing the game, evolving their charitable mission and developing the complete student-athlete, the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club of Philadelphia is proud to announce a historic alignment with University of Pennsylvania Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Mike Murphy and staff, pioneering a newly formed concept allowing players to truly maximize their club lacrosse experience.
Penn coach and new HEADstrong Quakers partner Mike Murphy (middle) embraces HEADstrong Hero Marshall Jensen at the University City Classic.. Thy are joined by Pat Colleluori Sr. (left) .
The HEADstrong Quakers LC will consist of 3 boys’ high school level as well as 3 boys’ youth level teams with tryouts expected to take place on Sunday, August 28th and Sunday, September 11th at Radnor High School.
A formal tryout announcement will follow. CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER. The teams will take the field this upcoming fall. Each team will be led by 3 coaches, consisting of a member of the University of Pennsylvania men’s lacrosse coaching staff who will supported by another regional college coach as well as an active DI college player. Additionally, there will be 2 general managers who will be appointed to maintain communication and support for players and families.
The aim is to elevate the club lacrosse experience by providing direct access to the highest caliber of instruction, leadership and facilities. HEADstrong has spent the past year collaborating with the University of Pennsylvania men’s lacrosse staff to create not just a new team, but a new club model in which families will find both value and integrity.
The newly formed concept pairs the traditional elements which have earned the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club a national reputation alongside a curriculum designed and led by current and former DI coaches. The hope is to submerse players in the realest possible experience providing them with the mentorship and resources needed to find success.
One of the most important aspects of the newly developed concept is in the overall education that players will receive from top DI men’s lacrosse coaches. The annual membership will provide athletes with fall and summer competition paired with winter training sessions, educational seminars as well as opportunities for community service and giving back.
As a current DI coach who understands the diverse landscape of the college experience, Murphy has built a curriculum focused on providing a personal approach to player development. The misconceptions of the recruiting process and an unyielding desire to truly play a role in helping athletes and families navigate the college selection process is at the heart of this landmark club.
The hope is to build a dynamic, in which players can build confidence and enter the college selection process with an open mind and appropriate expectations while developing a true passion for the game. Making memories, enjoying the experience and having fun is also a very high priority for all involved.
“Our Penn Lacrosse Staff is very excited to partner with HEADstrong to create HEADstrong Quakers LC,” said Murphy. “Our mission is simply to improve players and enjoy the process. We are excited to do this while making a difference on behalf of families affected by cancer through the HEADstrong Foundation. This will be a very unique club lacrosse experience, in that we are a pairing a philanthropic purpose led by college coaches on each of our teams. We are very excited to get started.”
Picturesque Penn Park, overlooking the city of Philadelphia as well as the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where HEADstrong founder Nicholas “HEAD” Colleluori fought his heroic battle against non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma will be home for HEADstrong Quakers LC. Additionally, HEADstrong Quakers will also train at a secondary location in the Philadelphia suburbs.
In addition to a highly competitive schedule HEADstrong Quaker players will partake in a unique summer training camp held at the University of Pennsylvania. Players will have 3 practices prior to all competition dates allowing for chemistry, confidence and success on the playing field.
“Mike Murphy has been an ambassador of the HEADstrong mission since our inception. He has been on the front lines alongside of us in the fight against cancer, most notably serving as a mentor and caregiver to former Haverford player and cancer survivor K.C. Peterson, who was a peer mentor to our Nicholas. We will forever be grateful for his relentless efforts in creating the University City Classic and infusing HEADstrong into his program. We are thrilled to launch this landmark club in conjunction with him and are very excited for the future and the impact it will have on lacrosse players from the Greater Philadelphia Region and the cancer community. On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation we are proud to introduce HEADstrong Quakers Lacrosse Club and welcome Coach Mike Murphy and his dedicated staff to the HEADstrong family.” – Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President & Nick’s Mom
Mike Murphy Bio
Mike Murphy was hired in July 2009 and has spent the last seven years as head coach of the Penn men’s lacrosse program. Murphy’s tenure has coincided with an upswing in the program’s fortunes. Penn has made a pair of NCAA Championship appearances under Murphy, in 2011 and 2014, and hosted its 2014 first-round game with Drexel which was the Quakers’ first NCAA home game since 1988. Murphy also was an assistant coach with the Quakers in 2001 (as defensive coordinator) and 2002 (as offensive coordinator). Penn’s 2002 squad went 9-4 overall, at the time the program’s best record in 13 seasons. Prior to his return to Penn, Murphy spent seven years at Haverford College where he took the program to unprecedented heights. The Fords steadily improved every year under his leadership, and Murphy will depart Haverford with 63 career wins which is one shy of the school record held by program founder Dana Swan. Prior to his assistant coaching stint at Penn, Murphy was an assistant coach at the University of Virginia from 1993-97, coaching in the 1994 and 1996 national championship games and three semifinals. He also spent the 1992 season at Brown University, coaching a team that held a top-10 national ranking and was an NCAA quarterfinalist. Murphy has been a member of the Division III NCAA Championships Committee since August 2005, serving as its chair since 2006. He is also a board member of the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA), and coached the South Team at the 2005 Division III North/South All-Star Game. Murphy attended Duke University, where he was a three-year starter (one as a long stick middie, two at closed defense) for the nationally ranked Blue Devils and captain of the 1991 team. He graduated with a degree in history and political science. Murphy also holds a master’s degree in higher education management from Penn, earned in May 2004.