Philadelphia, PA – On Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 4PM, the Drexel Dragons will host CAA rivals, the Hofstra Pride, in the Inaugural HEADstrong Hero Bowl, a new collegiate men’s lacrosse event helping to promote blood cancer awareness and advance the mission of the HEADstrong Foundation™. Beginning this year, the HEADstrong Hero Bowl will be held annually between both teams. The event will pay homage to cancer survivors and serve as a tribute to those who have lost their battle against the diseases. The uniqueness surrounding this event is that it will follow the regular season CAA schedule, providing an opportunity for service and volunteerism for students on both campuses.
Aside from a major CAA conference win, the victor of the Hero Bowl will be presented with a custom-made, 3-tiered lime and royal blue trophy with a silver cup on top. The trophy will be proudly displayed for the year in the athletic office of the winning school.
Both teams will help raise blood cancer awareness by wearing HEADstrong’s lime green shoelaces and crew socks. The goals will also be strung with HEADstrong’s lime green nets. Warrior Sports, who is a proud supporter of the HEADstrong Foundation and the official team equipment and uniform supplier of Hofstra and Drexel University, will outfit members from both teams with the latest from their Relentless27 collection, inspired by Nicholas Colleluori’s fight and supporting the Foundation. During the game, HEADstrong plans to recognize survivors who are helping to advocate the mission.
Tickets can be purchased at a discounted price in advance at www.DrexelTickets.com or by calling 866-4-DREXEL. Tickets are $7 in advance for adults, $10 at the door…$3 for youth (12 and under).
Over the years, both Hofstra and Drexel University have been closely involved with HEADstrong Foundation™. Founder, Nicholas Colleluori was a beloved member of the Hofstra Pride men’s lacrosse team before and during his cancer diagnosis, and the program has continued to support several of the organization’s events and campaigns since the Foundation’s inception. But, it was in 2006, shortly after Colleluori’s diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, the Drexel Dragons became the first collegiate men’s lacrosse team to wear HEADstrong’s iconic lime green shoelaces during a televised game against the University of Virginia, which helped the organization gain national interest.
In the years following Colleluori’s untimely passing, Hofstra and Drexel have continued to battle on the playing field, becoming one of the most exciting and established CAA rivalries. One of the most incredible stories to come out of history of these two teams took place in 2008, when the Pride stunned the Dragon’s capturing the CAA Championship in one of the most thrilling lacrosse games in conference history: at the game, a mesh cast of Nicholas Colleluori’s silhouette used during his radiation wearing his #27 jersey was proudly hoisted and carried off the field in victory. It was one of the most special moments for the Colleluori family who was still trying to mend from the loss of their beloved son and brother.
“For those in attendance that day, they can attest that it was one of the most amazing and thrilling lacrosse games. But for our family it meant so much more. Hofstra capturing the CAA championship in 2008 helped to heal our boys and we will always remember being overcome by a sense of pride when the team hoisted our Nick’s jersey on his radiation mask. That game was a victory in the fight against cancer and we believe that the HEADstrong Hero Bowl will celebrate the victories that people are having against these horrible diseases,” says HEADstrong President Cheryl Colleluori and Nick’s Mom.
“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those affected by cancers, specifically blood cancers we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to Drexel University, Hofstra University and the Colonial Athletic Association for recognizing our cause and assisting us to create this special charity event to raise awareness and funds to support cancer patients and families who have been devastated by these diseases. Both programs are very close to our organization and we applaud their efforts in helping us to make a difference. In the United States, over 144 people lose their battle to a blood cancer every day and the HEADstrong Hero Bowl will celebrate survivors, recognize those in the fight and pay tribute to those that we have lost. Hosting this event less than 24 hours after the 4th Annual Lime Light Gala is a testament to our relentless commitment in getting aHEAD of cancer.” HEADstrong President Cheryl Colleluori and Nick’s Mom
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