BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Smith Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kevin Cassese announced the team’s action-packed 2012 fall schedule on Wednesday, which includes Alumni Weekend, the Nick Colleluori Classic and the San Francisco Fall Classic. Lehigh’s fall will be an active one, including the Sixth Annual Nick Colleluori Lacrosse Classic when the squad will face Hofstra and Robert Morris, along with the San Francisco Fall Classic vs. Ohio State. The events begin on Friday, Sept. 28 with Community Night and Alumni Weekend.
Community Night is Lehigh’s chance to give back to the community, instructing youngsters and providing a systematic workout to athletes of all skill levels up to the eighth grade. The free clinic will take place at the Ulrich Sports Complex starting at 6:30 p.m. and will be run by Lehigh men’s lacrosse players and staff. Participants will go through drills covering stick work, shooting and dodging in a competitive, yet fun environment. For a look back at last year’s Community Night, check out this video recap here.
The clinic will run until approximately 8 p.m. at which point those in attendance can stick around and get a sneak peak at the 2013 Mountain Hawks in a special Alumni Game. Following the game, all of the players and coaches will be available for autographs.
The Mountain Hawks will continue their busy schedule into the weekend as they’ll be honored for their 2012 Patriot League Championship at the Lehigh football game against Fordham, which begins at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. Family Weekend will be capped off with the team banquet on Sunday.
Lehigh is in action the following weekend at the Nick Colleluori Classic at Ridley High School in Folsom, Pa. where it will face a pair of strong programs, all to benefit a good cause. Each year to honor Nicholas “Head” Colleluori, and those affected by blood cancer, the HEADstrong Foundation hosts “The Nick Colleluori Lacrosse Classic,” which has become the premier Men’s Collegiate Fall Ball Lacrosse Tournament.
Lehigh will face a pair of strong foes on Saturday, Oct 6 when it plays Hofstra at 11 a.m. and Robert Morris at 3:30 p.m. Single day admission is $10 for adults, and free for children under 10. There is also a special team package being offered for $150 which includes: (20) 2-day player passes, (2) coaches passes, players clinic and sponsorship level in the program book. The package is currently available online at http://shopheadstrong.com/events/ncc-toc-package.html.
All proceeds go towards Blood Cancer Research & Family Assistance. Lehigh is one of 24 collegiate lacrosse programs participating, the most teams ever assembled for the event.
The Mountain Hawks will wrap up their fall run with the fourth annual San Francisco Fall Lacrosse Classic Presented by Levi’s® against Ohio State. The contest is set for Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. inside Kezar Stadium. It will mark a homecoming for a pair of California natives: senior Noah Molnar and freshman Will McKee.
The event is put on by the Bay Area Youth Sports Foundation, which hosts the only NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse competition in California. All revenue will benefit a variety of innovative sports and education programs for undeserved children in the Bay Area.
The Fall Lacrosse Classic has drawn some of the nation’s top programs over its first three years, including John Hopkins, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Denver, Harvard and Brown, along with thousands of Northern California lacrosse fans.
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