University of Delaware Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Supports HEADstrong Foundation at University City Classic; Caitlin McCartney Named Nick Colleluori Award Honoree
10/29/2014 12:59:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women's lacrosse team continually stresses the importance of giving back to the community and this past weekend was no different as the Blue Hens wrapped up their fall ball season by supporting the HEADstrong Foundation at the University City Classic (UCC).
Held at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field, Delaware competed against the Quakers, Albany and Towson during the inaugural women's lacrosse UCC. Franklin Field is in the shadows of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where HF founder Nicholas Colleluori fought his relentless battle against non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Colleluori, a 2004 graduate of Ridley High School (Pa.) and lacrosse student-athlete at Hofstra University, created the HEADstrong Foundation (HF) shortly after he was diagnosed with the blood cancer in April 2005.
Before passing away in November 2006, Colleluori's wish was to have his family carry out his vision for the Foundation with its mission of “HEADing efforts to improve quality of life for those affected by blood cancers and supporting those working to eliminate the disease.”
According to HEADstrong.org, “The HEADstrong Foundation is relentless, driven by our passion and commitment to honesty, integrity and selflessness in our efforts, to the population we support through the sport of lacrosse.”
Caitlin McCartney“It is a tremendous honor to receive an award that represents such an inspiring person,” McCartney remarked. “Nick's vision has made an incredible impact on the lacrosse community and I only aspire to show half the passion and relentlessness that this award represents. I am extremely humbled to be recognized by my teammates and coaches as such.
McCartney continued, “As a senior, to be able to contribute to and be a part of the HEADstrong Foundation was an awesome way to finish my last fall ball tournament. Battling cancer and losing a loved one is a terrible situation that many of my teammates and myself have had to endure. Playing in the University City Classic was a great opportunity for us to play for the ones we have lost and something that is bigger than lacrosse as a sport.”
A team captain, McCartney was described by Linville as a leader who brings a sense of selflessness which has elevated our team's chemistry.
“It comes as no surprise that her teammates nominated her to represent Nick Colleluori's relentless spirit on game day,” Linville stated.
Proceeds from the UCC directly support the Nicholas E. Colleluori Lymphoma Research Fund at the Abramson Cancer Center, located at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The weekend's events helped successfully raise over $25,000 for families whose lives have been impacted by blood cancers.
