Men's Lacrosse Finds Charity Effort Grows on Them

MACON, Ga. – The idea of having the school’s first-ever men’s lacrosse team begin play in January is something that has grown on members of the Mercer University community.  But with its season still over a month away, what seems to have grown on the lacrosse players was…mustaches.

No, the members of Mercer’s fledgling sport did not toss out their Norelco’s and Gillette’s.  They did, however, participate in a nation-wide fundraising campaign in the collegiate lacrosse community called “Men’s Lacrosse Mustache Madness,” which ran through December 1.

The fundraiser benefits the HEADstrong Foundation for blood cancer, which is committed to finding a cure for all blood cancers.  The foundation is dedicated to its founder Nicholas Colleluori.  The foundation is based on Nick’s quote, “Making use of the time you have and don’t stress the little things.  Have a smile and enjoy what you can get out of life.”

“I think it’s important for our lacrosse program here at Mercer to be involved in these type of activities from the outset,” said MU head coach Jason Childs. “While this happens to be a program for the sport of lacrosse it, ultimately, is a reflection on Mercer University and the fact that we expect our student-athletes to be engaged in civic and community efforts like this. It is our responsibility as good stewards of the blessings and opportunities we have been given.”

The HEADstrong Foundation was started in 2005, when Nicholas Colleluori was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an aggressive type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system.  During his relentless 14 month battle with this disease, undergoing intense chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and experimental treatments, Nick was determined to start a foundation that would support the blood cancer community.  He created the name HEADstrong through his childhood nickname “HEAD” and the word “strong” defining his mental and physical toughness.  While waiting to go into the operating room for a procedure he asked for paper and a pencil, which is where he drew the logo for the foundation, a lacrosse stick on its side with a cancer ribbon around the HEAD.  Nick wanted to use the lacrosse community as his avenue to tell his story because he knew that his brotherhood would never let him down.  The color palette that Nick chose was “lime green” representing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and “royal blue and gold” which represents his alma mater, Hofstra University; his lifeline during his illness.

Despite his deteriorating health, Nick spent many hours working on his laptop learning about non-profit organizations and creating word documents of what he envisioned.  Days before his passing, Nick’s energy for others was communicated to his family and he made them promise that they would see his vision come to reality.  Although, on November 28th, 2006 Nick ultimately lost his life to lymphoma, he established the framework for the HEADstrong Foundation and has impacted the lives of thousands of people.