The Hofstra women’s lacrosse team hosted the 14th annual Nick Colleluori Classic injunction with the HEADstrong Foundation on Sunday, Oct. 9, at the James M. Shuart Stadium.
The Pride welcomed Army West Point, the University of Southern California, Stony Brook University and Yale University to campus.
Although Sunday’s games were competitive, it was a friendly affair as the community of lacrosse players came together to honor Colleluori’s legacy.
The HEADstrong Foundation was founded by Nick Collelouri 14 years ago, who was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. After being told he had three months to live, Colleluori exceeded expectations and fought a 14-month-long battle to the end.
“2021 marked a tremendous milestone for the HEADstrong Foundation as we exceeded 20 million dollars raised [to assist] over 19,250 patients nationwide,” said Chery Colleluori, president of the HEADstrong Foundation and mother to Nick Colleluori.
Today, the Foundation continues to carry out Nick’s vision and support thousands of patients worldwide.
“The HEADstrong tournament and Colleluori family mean so much to Hofstra Athletics,” said Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith. “So today is a day that is bigger than all of us. We’re just happy to be a part of it to help bring awareness and have [Colleluori’s] legacy live on.”
Players from Hofstra and Southern California shared their thoughts on what the day meant to the team and themselves.
“After a year and half of not really having a normal fall and a normal season, it’s just nice to get out there and verse other teams that aren’t just ourselves in practice, and you know … just getting out there and competing,” said Hofstra defender Kayla Robinson.
“Nick Colleluori means so much to us,” said the Pride’s Shannon Boyle. “I think being at Hofstra and being a lacrosse player, it’s a huge thing in the back of our minds, and playing for him and everything he stood for.”
“Our assistant coach is really involved in the HEADstrong foundation,” said Kailey Pelkey of Southern California, “and I think that it is really important we fundraised. It’s an amazing foundation.”
Every year, the Nick Colleluori Tribute Award is given to a player by designating Colleluori’s number 27 to a student athlete who exemplifies Colleluori’s selflessness, team spirit and perseverance on and off the field. This year’s recipients of the Nick Collelouri Award were Arianna Esposito from Hofstra, Sloane Murphy from Southern California, Isabelle Webster from Yale, Rayna Sabella from Stony Brook and Alli Ingraham from Army West Point.
The purpose of the tournament was to raise awareness of those battling cancer and funds to assist their fights. Thanks to Hofstra Athletics and the lacrosse community, Colleluori’s legacy will live on.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle
