By Ryan McCord

Hofstra freshman midfielder Mike Colleluori came to Hofstra in order to follow the trail blazed by his older brother Nick only a year beforehand and to hold up his half of the ultimate childhood dream the two aspired growing up.

The best of friends used the game as a pact to attend and compete at the same Division I-A school when they got to that point in their respected lives.

But the childhood dream took a major setback last September, however, when Nick was diagnosed with a type of lymphoid tissue cancer known as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The cancer forced him back home to Pennsylvania and out of competitive play this season, while Mike had to somehow focus on his own responsibilities without the comfort and guidance of his brother on campus.

“I’m up here at school and there’s nothing you can do,” said Mike, who has recently managed to crack the starting lineup at midfield. “The only thing you can do is stay positive. It made me realize what life’s all about. I matured real quickly.”

Fortunately for Mike, he had guys like Brett Moyer (who went to same high-school) and the rest of his Pride teammates who not only gave their devoted support towards the whole situation, but made his transition to college life as smooth as possible.

“Even though my family and Nick were back home, this brought us a lot closer.” Mike said. “My brothers would call non-stop. Nick and I speak on the phone seven or eight times a day.”

Nick plans on being back on the field next season, as the cancer should be completely relieved from his body thanks to the family’s positive attitude and patience throughout the treatment process, which has even included a “power of healing” specialist.

“I actually went and watched. It was nuts,” said Mike, who sat next to his brother during the procedure. “He was in a chair and was leaned back; he said he went completely out of it and the next thing he knew he was seeing white. I was even getting a little shaded out. I didn’t know what to expect.”

Thanks to the miracles of science, present day technology, the power of family and friends, and Nick’s relentless ability to refuse to give in to cancer, Mike Colleluori’s childhood dream can indeed come true.