USMMA Men's Lacrosse Supporting Headstrong Foundation

KINGS POINT, N.Y. - Anybody who watched the men’s lacrosse game between the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Connecticut College on Wednesday night at Captain Tomb Field in Kings Point, New York would’ve noticed that the entire Mariners team was wearing lime green shoelaces. Spearheaded by sophomore goalie Keegan Boyle, the Mariners all wore the shoelaces to benefit the HEADstrong Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Nick Colleluori while he was battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Colleluori, who was then a member of the men’s lacrosse team at Hofstra University, created the HEADstrong Foundation while he was fighting his disease.

The HEADstrong Foundation generates funds for blood cancer research and provides financial assistance to families that are experiencing the hardships of having a sick family member. Boyle first learned about the non-profit organization about a month ago when he was looking online and saw several NCAA Division I programs wearing the laces.

“I looked into it a bit more and realized that it was connected to Nick, whose story I knew about from reading online,” explained Boyle.

Colleluori played for Hofstra University with USMMA Assistant Coaches Brett Moyer and Chris Unterstein. The young man's life was recently taken away back on Nov. 28, 2006. He was just 21 years old. Just before he died, Moyer and Unterstein were among those members of the Hofstra men’s lacrosse team that boarded a bus to Nick’s home in Pennsylvania, knowing they would see him for the very last time.

“Coach Moyer also told us all about him and how inspirational he was,” added Boyle. “I saw this as a great opportunity for our team to support something more important than the sport of lacrosse. I also knew that it would mean a lot to both of our assistant coaches.”

Moyer and Unterstein both enjoyed successful careers at Hofstra University from 2003-06. Moyer was an All-American and the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year while Unterstein led the nation in scoring as a senior and was also named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. The Pride advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2003 and 2006.

“I let Moyer know that we were interested (in wearing the laces), and he was able to get them for us,” said Boyle.

The Boyle family paid for the laces and the money was donated to the HEADstrong Foundation.

“On Wednesday night, we dedicated our game to Nick and everyone else who has had to fight cancer,” said Boyle. “It gave our team a little extra motivation and sense of pride. I felt very privileged to be able to walk onto the field Wednesday night and play lacrosse.”