Dallas, TX - The footprint of the HEADstrong Foundation™ has grown significantly over the past 7 years, much in part to the organization's commitment of supporting patients and families directly impacted by cancer. HEADstrong™ empowers athletes to serve as advocates through the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club™ in effort to raise cause awareness both on and off the playing field. This week, HEADstrong™ proudly announced the creation of Team HEADstrong Texas. Spearheaded by Program Director Rich Moses alongside of Tom Shuey and Pat DeBolt who were former college teammates of HF™ Founder Nick Colleluori, who have a deep connection and commitment to the Colleluori family and HEADstrong™ cause. The group is determined to make a difference in the Texas lacrosse community.
The program consisting of a 7/8th grade and high school level team in their inaugural year will debut, competing at the Sandstorm Lacrosse Festival, January 18-19th, 2014 in Indio, California.
The team rosters were hand selected in cooperation with several programs based in North Texas. Together they were able to identify, top tiered talent from the area to represent the cause at selected 2014 events and showcases. And while Moses and company are focused on building an outlet for national exposure for lacrosse players from the state, this team promises to have a much higher purpose. Team HEADstrong Texas is committed to developing the highest caliber athletes while teaching players the importance of sportsmanship, community service and giving back to the community and to the game. An emphasis will be placed on making a difference in the local blood cancer community through service and generating of funds to support the HEADstrong Foundation’s service mission. Team HEADstrong Texas will promote blood cancer awareness on the field wearing HEADstrong's signature lime green helmets, gloves and uniforms. Lime Green is the National awareness color for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the disease that affected Founder Nicholas "HEAD" Colleluori.
Rich Moses is a Class of 1989 graduate from Hobart College. While a student-athlete Moses played on 3 National Championship Teams and received the Noel Fillipino Award as a senior for outstanding sportsmanship and team play. He currently serves as a the Youth Coordinator and 7/8th grade Head Coach for Highland Park Texas.
Earlier this year former St. Mary's high school teammate and legendary Cornell goalie Paul Schimoler passed away after brief battle with the disease and a week after Paul's passing, a dear friend of Moses was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukemia. After hitting so close to home, Rich Moses was inspired to get involved with the cause.
"With the help of the Highland Park community we ran a record setting stem cell drive over a weekend last May. When I looked back at what we accomplished I was amazed and humbled at the same time. I came to the realization that it isn't a matter of "if" we are all touched by blood cancer but "when" and I decided to see how I could use my passion for lacrosse to help in the battle. Knowing what a special family the lacrosse world is I reached out to a great friend, former Hobart teammate and non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor Tom Gravante to seek advice on how the use lacrosse to help spread the word and raise awareness of blood cancer. Tom put me in touch with HEADstrong President and Nick's Mom Cheryl Colleluori and off we went." says Moses
Joining Moses in developing the program are two former Hofstra teammates of Nick and Michael Colleluori, Pat DeBolt and Tommy Shuey. Since playing with Colleluori at Hofstra, DeBolt has served as an Assistant Coach at Hofstra, Ohio State and Duke University, earning two Colonial Athletic Conference Championships with the Hofstra Pride and 2010 Division I National Championship with the Duke Blue Devils. Most recently, he was named 2013 Assistant Coach of the Year in the state of Texas.
Tommy Shuey is a native of Dallas, Texas, where he played lacrosse for the Highland Park Scots. There he earned All-American honors and led his high school program to two state championships. Shuey played collegiately at Hofstra University and earned two CAA Conference Championships and three NCAA tournament appearances.
“We are very excited to announce this new expansion of the HEADstrong Lacrosse Club. We wish to welcome Team HEADstrong Texas into our family and look forward to furthering our Nick's vision through their achievements on the field and in the community. We are very humbled to see our Nick's former college teammates coming together to share his legacy with the Texas lacrosse community. From the sidelines our Nick founder hope and inspiration in his Hofstra teammates and it has come full circle to know that today his teammates are finding strength and inspiration in his life and are determined to make a difference in his name. We look forward to strengthen our relationship with the players and families of this new team and are enthusiastic about creating ways to further our commitment to patients, families and medical centers in the state. We wish to sincerely thank Rich Moses for his relentlessness in getting this program started and best of luck to all of those joining our Team of Champions.
Cheryl Colleluori, HEADstrong President and Nick’s Mom
About HEADstrong Lacrosse Club
The HEADstrong Lacrosse Club operates as a division of the HEADstrong Foundation. While promoting blood cancer awareness on the playing field, players for Team HEADstrong are also committed to providing service to their local communities. Over the past five years the lacrosse club has established itself as a preeminent lacrosse organization that has grown nationally to provide an unmatched standard of excellence both athletically and academically.
HEADstrong Lacrosse Club identifies, recruits, trains, teaches and coaches players capable of, but more importantly committed to playing the sport of lacrosse at its highest level.
Both players and coaches serve as ambassadors for the sport, always ready to pass along knowledge that they have learned from their experience. They are committed to generating funds for players who through illness are no longer able to join them on the field. The actions taken in attaining these goals are consistent with the highest levels of citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play. The goal of Team HEADstrong is to promote excellence within the game and create an unparalleled experience, sharing the importance of family, brotherhood and service within the sport of lacrosse. Emphasis is placed on gaining athletes exposure to college coaches of all levels and instilling character.
For more information go to www.HEADstronglax.org