Richmond, VA - Former Hofstra University men's lacrosse student-athlete Nick Colleluori, who waged a courageous battle with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma before passing away in 2006, was named one of the recipients of the 2013 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).The award will be presented to the Colleluori family at the annual Hofstra Pride Student-Athlete Banquet on Monday, May 6. During that awards ceremony, the Colleluoris will also present the Nick Colleluori Unsung Hero Award to a deserving male and female Hofstra student-athlete. Those awards have been presented annually since 2007.The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995."Nick will always be an inspiration to the Hofstra University community," commented Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. "While fighting this terrible disease, it's amazing what Nick accomplished in developing the business plan for the HEADstrong Foundation and for having the foresight to know the future benefits that would be provided to the thousands afflicted with the same disease. Hofstra University thanks the CAA for recognizing Nick's courageous work with the HEADstrong Foundation. We also want to thank and recognize Cheryl and Pat Colleluori and their two sons for carrying on Nick's work with the HEADstrong Foundation. We will continue to assist the HEADstrong Foundation in the fight against blood cancer.""There are many people in the world who inspire and motivate others to do great things," Hofstra Men's Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney said. "But, in my opinion, no one is more deserving to receive the CAA John Randolph Inspiration Award than Nick Colleluori. Nick was the epitome of perseverance, relentlessness and courage who, when faced with a daunting challenge, not only stood tall but also inspired those around him to do more. While fiercely battling non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, he created the plans for the HEADstrong Foundation and inspired his entire family, friends and those who loved him to do more for those battling the disease. Nick's confidence and humility remains alive and strong in the HEADstrong Foundation and his contributions to lymphoma patients and families are his true legacy. It is truly an honor to have Hofstra University under Nick Colleluori's name on the 2013 John Randolph Inspiration Award."Colleluori shared the award with the women's soccer team at UNCW, which was honored for its work with 7-year old Baylee Adkins and the Friends of Jaclyn Organization.Colleluori played all 16 games for the nationally ranked Hofstra men's lacrosse team as a freshman in 2005, where he helped the Pride achieve an 8-8 record that included notable wins over #15 North Carolina and #11 Princeton. Unfortunately, that season would be his last as he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in September of 2005. The disease would take his life in November of 2006.Between hospital visits and operations over a 14-month period, Nick developed plans for the HEADstrong Foundation to raise awareness about blood cancer and to provide support for those who suffer from the disease. Prior to his passing, Nick outlined the foundation's logistics, drew the foundation's logo and asked his family to fulfill his mission.The HEADstrong Foundation has become a rallying point for the lacrosse community and continues to grow and expand to various parts of the country. Since its inception in 2006, HEADstrong has raised over $3.1 million to support those affected by blood cancer and those who are working to eliminate it. The Colleluori family has dedicated their lives to assisting other families and providing essential services to those in need.The Nick Colleluori Classic is a collegiate men's lacrosse tournament held each fall at Ridley High School in Pennsylvania. Over 20 different universities have participated since the inaugural event in 2006 and $1.5 million has been raised. Hofstra University became the first host site for the women's collegiate lacrosse Nick Colleluori Classic, which has garnered over $100,000. The foundation also started the Lime Light Gala, which brings together friends, families and supporters of those affected by cancer. It has generated enough funds to support more than 870 people who are battling cancer. On September 27, 2011, the HEADstrong foundation opened the doors to Nick's House, which is a residence house that doubles as the HEADstrong headquarters and a complimentary living facility for families of loved ones battling the disease.
Past Recipients of the John H. Randolph Inspiration Award
2012 Shelia MoormanJames Madison coach and administrator who served as a mentorand tireless advocate for the student-athlete experience.2011 Steven VincentDelaware track and cross country runner who battled epilepticseizures throughout his collegiate career.2010 Dawn EvansJMU women's basketball player who overcame a debilitatingkidney disease to lead her team to the conference championship.2009 Meghan BainJMU field hockey player who was hit by a car suffering massiveinjuries. Through intensive rehabilitation she returned to play thenext fall.2008 T.J. CarterUNCW men's basketball player who returned for his senior seasonafter undergoing 3 surgeries and missing an entire season due to sports hernia surgery.2007 Nicole HesterDrexel women's basketball player who battled cancer withoutinterruption to her basketball career.2006 Kevin DuPreyDelaware track and cross country runner who overcame thedebilitating effects of Lyme Disease to resume competition.2005 Julia ShapiroDelaware tennis player who overcame the effects of MultipleSclerosis to serve as team co-captain.2004 Beth ChildsDrexel women's tennis player who lost part of her foot in anautomobile accident but returned to play her senior year.Alan LindseyJames Madison baseball player who underwent two open-heartsurgeries after suffering a serious bacterial infection, returning toplay the final weeks of his senior season.Brannon ThomasWilliam & Mary men's soccer player who had surgery to remove atumor from his brain, but returned to action late in the same season.2003 Ricky BeecherTowson men's lacrosse player who donated a liver to his uncle inorder to save his uncle's life.2002 Paul TuoheyDrexel men's lacrosse player with Cerebral Palsy who's positiveattitude earned the team MVP award without scoring a goal orassist.2001 Mandy WelchDelaware softball player who overcame an 80% hearing loss tobecome a 1st team all conference player.2000 Laura Kenney & Liz PaoliGeorge Mason women's lacrosse players who were seriouslyinjured when they were struck by a car on a team trip. Laura wasin a coma for 2 months, yet graduated from GMU with a 4.00 gpa.Through intensive rehabilitation, Liz was able to return tocompetition for her senior year.1999 Maria Elena-CalleVCU track athlete who recovered from serious injuries after beingstruck by a car while on a training run to achieve CAA Athlete ofthe Year and All-America status.1998 Felicia AllenOld Dominion women's basketball team manager whocourageously battled a rare form of cancer while attending schooland serving as the team manager.1997 Scott PearsonAmerican University men's soccer player who overcame the deathof his mother and became very active in the Big Brothers programin Washington.1996 Barbara BlosserWilliam & Mary associate athletic director who served as interimathletic director during John Randolph's illness.John WelbournEast Carolina cross country coach who successfully battled cancerwhile coaching at ECU.
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