lacrosse helps achieve Colleluori’s dream

AMANDA ALEXANDROWICZ

GUEST WRITER

AA727@CABRINI EDU

The Cabrini Men’s lacrosse team was invited to the Nick Colleluori’s HEADstrong Foundation Lacrosse tournament last Sunday, Oct. 8.

Over 4,000 fans piled in the bleachers of Ridley High school’s Phil Marion Field. It was a tournament that consisted of six teams from both Division I and Division III schools. These six teams, their families and fans all helped raised money to help Nick Colleluori’s dream continue in succeeding to help patients that are diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Division I schools that were in attendance included Bucknell University, Hofstra University, St. Joseph’s University and University of Maryland Baltimore County. Cabrini and Haverford Colleges represented the Division III schools.

Nick Colleluori, 21 of Holmes, Pa. was an All-American football and lacrosse player for Ridley High school and a starting defenseman on the Hofstra University’s men’s lacrosse team. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma the fall of 2005, beat the cancer in the summer of

2006 and then was diagnosed for the last time last fall.

The inspiring story of Colleluori and how brave and unselfish he was during the time he was sick and fought for his life harder everyday will amaze you.

Last November, right before Colleluori passed, his last words were him telling his family and friends to not be scared or upset. He told them to care for the other patients who have this horrific cancer and help save them. And that is exactly what his loved ones are doing for him.

The Hofstra team, which consisted of Nick’s younger brother Mike, all wore lime green uniforms which is the color of the Lymphoma Cancer ribbon. Colleluori used this ribbon to design the HEADstrong logo, using the ribbon as the head of the lacrosse stick in the logo. Also, the whole team wore the number 27, which was Colleluori’s number at both Ridley and Hofstra.

Senior attack Matt McKinney was a good friend of Colleluori’s. He, along with senior Rob Tinsley and junior Pat Grenier all played with Colleluori in high school.

“As a senior and my last year of lacrosse, it was great to have a chance to play in the first annual HEADstrong tournament,”

McKinney said. “It was especially great because he was a friend of mine and it’s great that Nicky’s memory is staying alive.”

Without keeping score, the Cavalier’s played against St. Joe’s, Haverford and UMBC.

Senior captain Dan DeRosa contributed an envelope to Mrs. Colleluori in between games that was filled with checks and donations that the team and their families donated.

“I am very inspired and humble to play for such an important cause. It was a great experience to play against such a high grade of talent,” DeRosa said. “But really, that’s not what it was for. It was more to raise money and awareness for the HEADstrong foundation just like Nick wanted to do.”

His parents, three brothers and fiancé, would like to continue this tournament annually. This year they nearly raised $75,000. Next year there are other men’s and women’s Division I teams already asking if they could be in next years tournament as well.

“Make 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,”

-Nick Colleluori

Cabrini soccer player Joe Rotan earned the honor of being named PAC player of the week on Oct. 1 and then proceeded to be named a member of the D3Kicks.com team of the week the very next day.

The senior sociology/criminal justice major grew up in Philadelphia and has been playing soccer for the past 17 years.

Rotan is leading the Cavaliers so far this season in points. Having this role with 12 goals and 3 assists, he has helped the team get off to one of the best seasons so far. The team is currently 5-1 in PAC play and has an overall record of 14-2. Along with this, the team also has a current sixth place ranking in the Mid-Atlantic Regional poll.

Last year, the team had the task of playing without Rotan due to knee surgery the previous summer.

“I dieted and worked out everyday in the off-season,” Rotan said.

He trained extremely hard, most of the time with Sean Dugan who is a Cabrini alumnus, graduate, and former player on the Cavalier soccer team. His hard work evidently has paid off so far this season and his teammates have noticed.

Although the team has had many victories so far, there can be certain games that stick out the most. When asked what has been the most memorable moment so far in the season for him, Rotan could describe a specific game right away.

“It was the Widener game,” Rotan said. “Because we were down 0-1 and came back and won 3-1. It was the second time we were down this season so far and were able to come back and win.”

A lot of the success this season has been attributed to the senior leadership.

“As years progressed, we became a close-knit family and we are able to put this chemistry into the team and on the field,” Rotan said.

He says that the most important thing he wants to take away from his college playing experience is his friendship with his teammates.

Upon graduation, Rotan will continue playing in local tournaments and may consider trying out for the Philadelphia Kixx. He also would like to take up coaching soccer. Before this, he has one very important goal he and his team wishes to accomplish.

“At first I wanted to be on a team over .500 and make it to playoffs,” Rotan said. “But now we are looking to compete for the title.”