Lax Stache Madness Grows Record Breaking $200,000 For HEADstrong

HEADstrong FoundationImproving Lives Affected By CancerContact: Pat ColleluoriPhone: 610-461-5987Email: Info@HEADstrong.orgLax Stache Madness Grows Record Breaking $200,000 For HEADstrong PHILADELPHIA – It’s time to break out those razors, say goodbye to those lip warmers and celebrate Lax Stache history. Over the past 6 weeks more than 1,000 college lacrosse players representing 75 teams united by growing their mustaches, raising funds and participating in Lax Stache Madness. The annual facial hair fundraising campaign raised a record breaking $200,788 this year for the HEADstrong Foundation.The 10^th anniversary of HEADstrong founder Nicholas Colleluori’s passing combined with #GivingTuesday sparked an incredible last minute push for funds and a donation to Timmy Ahern of the University of Scranton pushed Lax Stache Madness over the $200,000, making campaign history.Rich Moses, who serves as Director of HEADstrong’s Texas chapter broke an individual fundraising record, raising more than $13,923. HEADstrong Texas also retained the Lax Stache Crown raising more than $20,340. Fairfield Men’s Lacrosse, Bucknell Men’s Lacrosse and Towson University Men’s Lacrosse all raised more than $10,000 for the cause. (Please see the Lax Stache Madness 2016 Top 27 Teams and Growers below)“It has been a very humbling year for Lax Stache Madness with us reaching record participation and donations. It has been inspirational to see the generosity, teamwork and philanthropic spirit of so many amazing young men working to support the HEADstrong mission. We could not think of a better way to pay homage to Nick Colleluori then surpassing the $200,000 mark this year.” says Lax Stache Madness creator Ken ClausenLax Stache Madness was created by former professional lacrosse player Ken Clausen while attending the University of Virginia. Marketed around his signature mustache, he believed that growing facial hair was a great way to make a difference while paying tribute to HEADstrong founder Nicholas Colleluori.Lax Stache Madness Fundraising History 2009 - $32,0002010 - $79,0002011 - $95,0002012 - $101,0002013 - $100,0002014 - $120,0002015 - $170,0002016 - $200,788The campaign emulates the last 6 weeks of Colleluori’s life when he himself grew a mustache after losing his eyebrows as a side-effect of treatment. Colleluori longed to feel “normal” and through his mustache found a way to diffuse the negativity surrounding his declining health. Colleluori was a Division 1 lacrosse player entering his sophomore year atHofstra University when he was terminally diagnosed with cancer. His public fight from the sidelines captivated the nation and from his hospital bed created the HEADstrong Foundation, focused on improve lives affected by the disease.Since 2009, Lax Stache Madness has raised $900,000 to support the cause. Lax Stache Madness has become an annual fall tradition for many college lacrosse programs. One of the hallmarks of the campaign is the National Stache-Off, an interactive bracket tournament based on daily incremental gains in which teams go head to head with winners advancing. This year, the University of Scranton pulled off an upset claiming the National Stache-Off Title over Bucknell Men’s Lacrosse.“The National Stache-Off has been an incredible addition to the campaign as it gives teams regardless of their conference, division or league the ability to compete against one another. Teams rise to the occasion and buy in to the challenge.” says ClausenEach year the Lax Stache Madness committee selects a grower who embodies the spirit of the campaign and demonstrates extraordinary leadership and effort throughout. This year, John Stark of Towson University has been recognized with this prestigious honor.“John has arguably the greatest mustache in the game. Over the past 2 years he has led an amazing effort at Towson University raising more than $20,000 to support the cause. He has empowered athletes and staff alike to get involved and has woven the campaign into the fall semester. We are very grateful for their involvement as his efforts are the definition of how a team can embrace the campaign.”There have been some incredible stories of hope that have come out of this year’s campaign including cancer survivor and Limestone sophomore Tyler Ponzio leading a 63-grower fundraising team to raise more than $9,000. Methodist Men’s Lacrosse rallying around sophomore Noah Beelendorf who is currently fighting and Concordia Wisconsin Men’s Lacrosse rallying around fellow student-athlete Lilly Johnson who is battling stage 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, just to name a few.“Unfortunately this disease continues to hit home for many athletic programs throughout the country and these shared circumstances have united our growers in a way that we have never seen before. The efforts of these programs have been truly relentless as their fight has become personal.”Lax Stache Madness Top 27 Fundraising TeamsHEADstrong Texas$20,340.21Fairfield University Men's Lacrosse Team$12,892.03Towson University Men's Lacrosse 2016$11,627.64Bucknell University Men's Lacrosse$11,275.15University of Delaware Men's Lacrosse$9,687.82Limestone Men's Lacrosse$9,029.91The University of Scranton Men's Lacrosse Team$9,029.80Haverford College Men's Lacrosse$8,840.46St. Ambrose University$6,934.22Dartmouth Lacrosse$6,905.21UMBC Men's Lacrosse$6,703.96University of Maryland Men's Lacrosse$5,864.86Methodist University Men's Lacrosse$5,794.82Syracuse University Men's Lacrosse$5,298.76Brown University Lacrosse$5,290.74Springfield College Men's Lacrosse$5,001.46Mount St. Mary's Men's Lacrosse$4,939.90University of Georgia Men's Lacrosse$3,515.01Princeton Lacrosse Mustache Madness$3,514.06Holy Cross Men's Lacrosse$3,421.76Bowdoin Men's Lacrosse$3,356.79Ursinus Men's Lacrosse$2,630.79University of Pittsburgh Men's Lacrosse$2,628.77Secret Stache$2,467.29The Hill School$2,284.33Boston University Men's Lacrosse$2,131.80Elmira College Men's Lacrosse$1,715.34 Lax Stache Madness Top 27 GrowersRichard Moses$13,923.61Ben Kaminow$5,298.76Chris Mattes$3,502.59Tyler Ponzio$3,172.24Ryan Parsons$2,312.62Jack Richardson$2,287.02William Yinger$2,284.33Nick DelBene$2,270.27Jonathan Lyman$2,136.11Michael Lynch$2,023.27Stephano Mastro$1,687.46Ryan McLaughlin$1,596.82Christopher Marshall$1,595.52Brian Bolewicki$1,542.00Zach Nedbalski$1,528.52Jon Levine$1,522.73Todd Faiella$1,520.11Ryan Baker$1,515.80JP Crowley$1,514.60Ted Hovivian$1,463.29Max Ellis$1,386.62Sam Walsh$1,379.65Nicholas Cooper$1,239.39Robert Jones$1,176.38Luke Bianchino$1,168.90Andrew Eidenshink$1,168.76Roby Mize$1,151.79“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those we humbly serve we wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who participated, promoted, contributed or sponsored Lax Stache Madness this year. November 28^th marked the 10^th anniversary our Nick’s untimely passing. The positive energy and love surrounding this incredible campaign has been very comforting and uplifting in such an emotional time for our family. We continue to be in awe of our lacrosse community and the amazing things that together we are achieving on behalf of families devastated by cancer. I see so much of our Nick in each of our growers and from the bottom of our hearts we wish to thank everyone for embracing us. The funds raised is an incredible achievement and will be instrumental in allowing us to strengthen our commitment to families, especially this holiday season.” Cheryl Colleluori, HF President & Nick’s MomPlease visit www.HEADstrong.org to learn more about how the HEADstrong Foundation is changing the game for those affected by cancer.###