Nick Colleluori was a member of the Hofstra lacrosse team for only two seasons before his life was tragically cut short by a form of blood cancer three years ago. His memory, though, lives on through two popular lacrosse tournaments that support a foundation he launched to help fund cancer research and assist others who are battling the disease.

The third annual Nick Colleluori Men’s Lacrosse Classic drew nearly 20 Divisions I and
III lacrosse teams to the former Pride student-athlete’s alma mater, Ridley (Pennsylvania) High School, on October 10-11. And the first annual women’s classic brought a dozen teams to the Hofstra campus on September 26. It was three days of high-quality lacrosse with a purpose. The tournaments not only brought attention to the fight against blood cancers but also generated more than $200,000 for the HEADstrong Foundation.   

Created by Nick Colleluori just before he died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma on November 28, 2006, the HEADstrong Foundation raises money for cancer research, awards grants and financial assistance to blood cancer survivors and families affected by the disease and provides scholarships and grants for students who plan to enter the medical field.

Much of the money that the tournament generates comes from T-shirt sales. In lieu of a traditional entry fee, participating teams are responsible for selling a certain number of HEADstrong T-shirts as well as sponsoring a cancer awareness day on their campus. The sale of other HEADstrong merchandise and donations also support the cause. 

During the tournament weekend, teams are paired with an honorary captain who has blood cancer. Cheryl Colleluori, Nick’s mother and president of the foundation, gathers participants to offer words of thanks, encouragement and inspiration.

All proceeds from the tournaments are funneled back into the foundation. So far this year, HEADstrong has helped about 100 families, the most the organization has been able to reach in a single year.

“It’s such a privilege to be a part of this, see it grow and see that we make a difference in all these lives through Nicholas’ name,” said Cheryl Colleluori.

For her, the foundation is the ultimate labor of love. Throughout chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and other treatment for his illness, Nick Colleluori remained an active part of the Hofstra squad, standing on the sidelines at games, in the locker room, reviewing tape, encouraging his teammates and fellow student-athletes.

He also established HEADstrong.

“Nick asked me in the latter days of his life, ‘Mom, I need you to take over and bring this to where it can be. You have to promise,’ ” Cheryl Colleluori recalled. “I said, ‘I promise I’ll do the best I can.’ ”

Seth Tierney, head men’s lacrosse coach at Hofstra, pitched the idea for the memorial tournament as a way of honoring Nick and supporting HEADstrong. The inaugural edition of the men’s classic in 2007 featured six teams and raised more than $100,000. This year, the tournament included 17 participating teams and raised more than $180,000 for the foundation. 

Tierney, who took over the program in August 2006, about four months before Nick died, said he is not shocked by how the tournament and foundation have flourished.

“The amount of lives this young man has touched is astounding,” said Tierney. “I’m not surprised about where it’s at right now because Nick was behind it. Everything I knew of him and was told of him, he was a winner.”

In September, the Hofstra women’s lacrosse team hosted 12 teams and raised $32,000 for HEADstrong as part of the first Nick Colleluori Women’s Lacrosse Classic. Pride head women’s lacrosse coach Abby Morgan was on the coaching staff when Nick was a student-athlete at the school and said the drive and determination he displayed throughout his illness inspired the entire university.

Morgan expects the women’s tournament also to become an annual event,  and she is already considering ways to attract more teams, fans and attention to an important issue.    

As pleased and proud as Cheryl Colleluori is with the foundation’s current success, she envisions expanding its reach by establishing HEADstrong teams in every state and potentially sponsoring regional tournaments that will increase the organization’s reach and resources. 

“It feels good that in Nick’s name we can help people,” she said. “That’s what he was about.”