Women's Lacrosse Set to Participate in Fifth Annual Nicholas Colleluori Women's Classic

Garden City, N.Y. - The women's lacrosse team has announced that they will be taking part in the fifth annual Nicholas Colleluori Women's Classic this year. The event, which will be at James M. Shuart Stadium and hosted by Hofstra University, will take place on Saturday, September 28.

The event was the first of its kind on the women's side to help raise funds and awareness for the HEADstrong Foundation. Proceeds from the event will directly support the quality of life service offering provided by the organization to patients and families nationwide. In its history the event has helped raise more than $200,000 for the cause. Participating in the tournament will be 11 teams: Hofstra, Adelphi, Catholic, Central Connecticut State, LIU Post, Iona, LIU Brooklyn, Manhattan, NYAC, Stony Brook and Villanova. The schedule for games will be announced at a later date.

All the teams will wear Laces for Lymphoma™ to show their support for the cause. Additionally, each team will be engaged in service by selling awareness t-shirts on their campuses to help contribute to the fundraising total.

A member from each team will be selected to be the recipient of the Nicholas Colleluori Award, which is presented annually to a player from each participating team whose contributions both on and off the field are transforming the landscape of their represented program.

In addition to a great day of lacrosse, the HEADstrong Foundation™ will be on-site sharing their mission and selling awareness merchandise. There will be plenty of activities to keep fans and spectators entertained all day. All proceeds will directly support the HEADstrong Foundation™.

Nick Colleluori was a member of the Pride lacrosse team from 2004 to 2006 and graduated from Ridley High School (PA) in 2004. Nick may have lost his battle with blood cancer on November 28, 2006, but his vision has just begun.

The HEADstrong Foundation™ is dedicated to Nick's life. He drew the logo as he was waiting to go into the operating room for a procedure. Because lacrosse was his passion and he can no longer carry the ball, his family and friends will carry the ball for him. Please join the HEADstrong Foundation's effort to bring Nick's vision to reality to promote cancer awareness, support research and help eliminate this disease.

The HEADstrong Foundation's mission is to generate funds for cancer research, distribute grants and assistance to survivors of blood cancer, provide financial assistance to families that are experiencing the hardships of having a sick family member, and provide scholarships and grants for students with ambitions of entering the medical field.

To learn more about the HEADstrong Foundation™, please visit their website at: www.HEADstrongfoundation.org.

Through the expansion of their efforts into women's lacrosse, the HEADstrong Foundation™ seeks to empower players and teams across the country to join in its fight against cancer.

~Release courtesy of Hofstra Athletic Communications