Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/28/15
From Press Release
The HEADstrong Foundation is proud to announce details surrounding the 9th Annual Nicholas Colleluori Classic. The two-day event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4 at Ridley High School.
Ridley High School was HEADstrong founder Nicholas Colleluori’s high school alma mater and since his passing in 2006, this special event has been held annually to honor Colleluori and to raise funds supporting to improve quality of life for those affected by cancer.
On Saturday, HEADstrong will introduce a new post collegiate division to the Nicholas Colleluori Classic. The inaugural field will consist of 4 men’s post collegiate clubs including: GMH, HEADstrong, Lacrosse Unlimited and Starboard LC. On Sunday, 8 DII and DIII collegiate men’s programs including: Catholic University, Farmingdale State College, Immaculata University, Lycoming College, Messiah College, Rosemont College, Stockton University and Wheeling Jesuit University, who will come together to face-off against cancer.
Post Collegiate Saturday, October 3rd
9th Annual NCC Time Phil Marion Turf Field Ridley Natural Grass Field
Home Away Home Away
Game 1 11:00AM GMH Starboard HEADstrong Lacrosse Unlimited
HEADstrong Presentation
Game 2 1:00PM Lacrosse Unlimited GMH HEADstrong Starboard
DII & DIII Sunday, October 4th
9th Annual NCC Time Phil Marion Turf Field Ridley Natural Grass Field
Home Away Home Away
Game 1 10:00AM Stockton Wheeling Jesuit Lycoming Immaculata
Game 2 11:30AM Immaculata Wheeling Jesuit Stockton Lycoming
HEADstrong Presentation
Game 3 1:30PM Rosemont Farmingdale Catholic Messiah
Game 4 3:00PM Catholic Rosemont Farmingdale Messiah
Student philanthropy is at the center of this special event with each of the participating teams hosting fundraisers on their respected campuses to assist the goal. Additionally, each player will take the field wearing HEADstrong’s iconic lime green shoelaces to promote awareness for the cause.
HEADstrong will honor heroes and their families at the event presenting grants and gifts from the organization intended to improve their quality of life. HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom Chery Colleluori will also present the prestigious Nicholas Colleluori Award to a member from each program whose contributions both on and off the field are transforming the landscape of their represented program.
In addition to presenting their signature event in Folsom, PA, HEADstrong will also be hosting 2 regional versions of their marquee event in Long Island and Baltimore this fall. The new regional expansion events will be held on Saturday, October 10th at Hofstra University featuring 4 D1 men’s teams including Dartmouth College, Hofstra University, Lafayette College and Quinnipiac University.
On Sunday, October 11th at Johns Hopkins University featuring another 4 D1 men’s teams including University of Albany, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University and University of Richmond. Embracing the ever shifting dynamics of fall lacrosse inspired the organization to create a more intimate format allowing for a more productive experience for participating teams while allowing for HEADstrong to rejuvenate, collaborate and maximize its reach in the biggest lacrosse markets in the country. Proceeds from the new events will allow HEADstrong to strengthen their commitment to adult and pediatric cancer initiatives in the markets.
Since its inception this milestone event has helped raise more than $1,500,000 and HEADstrong is hopeful that the new format will allow the event to attract sponsorship and more localized support.
“It is an incredible honor to return to our Nick’s alma mater and host this very special event each year. It is hard to believe that 9 years have passed and we are very grateful to all of the teams for celebrating Nick’s life and for supporting all that he so strongly believed in. This is year is even more special; knowing that for the very first time in our events history, we have two schools participating with students who are currently battling cancer. HEADstrong is proud to honor these amazing hero’s through this year’s event. The meaning and significance of this event goes far beyond the competition on the playing field and defines all that makes the sport of lacrosse so special. On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation™, the Colleluori family and our founder and my son, Nicholas, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Ridley High School for their continued commitment to supporting our Nick’s vision. We wish to thank all of the collegiate and post collegiate teams for embracing our mission and for their participation this year. We are looking forward to an incredible day of inspiration in support of all of those affected by cancer.” – Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom.