Mountain Hawks enjoy busy fall in the community
11/6/2015 11:20:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse, Camps
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh men's lacrosse team continued to make a difference in the community this fall, taking part in several different community events, initiatives and causes. The Mountain Hawks began by volunteering with the City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation, continuing into Community Night, Reading Rocks and much more.
"Community service is great because it's a positive on both sides of it," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "We're helping some phenomenal people, including young people who are going to be the next generation and future leaders. It's great to work with organizations who do so much good in the world. We feel great that we're helping all these people in some small way, and then on the other side, the experience really helps our players put things into perspective."
"What I am most impressed with is the willingness of each and every one of the guys to participate and lead different initiatives," said senior co-captain Reid Weber. "I think we all understand how blessed we are to attend such an incredible institution, and for the good health we have to play the sport we love. So when the opportunity to give back to those less fortunate presents itself, we jump all over the chance."(11/6/2015) Men's Lacrosse Community Service, 2015
Just a few days into the fall semester, the Mountain Hawks held their annual community service kickoff for the City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation. This year, the team handled cleanup under the Fahey Bridge, went into the woods and cleaned up trash and helped clean up parts of South Bethlehem.
Next for the Mountain Hawks was Community Night on Oct. 3 when Lehigh opened its doors to all members of the community for an hour-long free lacrosse clinic.
"It gets kids playing lacrosse and having a good time, then they stay and watch our Alumni Game right after," said Cassese.
Following pacing break in October, the Mountain Hawks were the first Lehigh Athletics team to head to Donegan Elementary School for the Reading Rocks program. The whole team spent approximately one hour with the students, helping them read before getting to know the youngsters through playing games and other activities.
The Mountain Hawks also went to the Lehigh University Child Care Center twice this fall, as they have every year.
"We went over and taught the kids how to play lacrosse," said Cassese. "We also played on the playground, did some puzzles and played some games and had a good time with them."
Lehigh's lone fall weekend of outside competition this fall came on Oct. 10 at the HEADstrong SJU Fall Scrimmage as the Mountain Hawks played host Saint Joseph's and Villanova. The HEADstrong Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) committed to improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families through providing essential programs and services. The blueprints for the Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas "HEAD" Colleluori in 2006, from his hospital bed while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life. Today, Nick's vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against cancers.
"There was a fundraising goal set by headstrong for all three teams of $3,000," said Cassese. "We surpassed that goal 24 hours before the actual event happened. Our team played a huge role in that and everybody chipped in and supported the cause for the fight against blood cancer."
The Mountain Hawks have been heavily involved in HEADstrong events in the past and are big supporters.
"I've gotten to know the Colleluori family very well in my time here at Lehigh," said Cassese. "We've played in so many of their events along the way, whether it be the Colleluori Classic in fall ball, the Relentless Cup in the spring or just having them at one of our games. With them being in our back yard in the Philadelphia area and HEADstrong having such a strong presence, it's been a natural connection between the Lehigh Lacrosse family and the Colleluori family.
"We try to do whatever we can to support their mission and their efforts because we think it's so important," Cassese continued. "The fight against all cancers is an uphill battle. We feel like we can play a small part in that and we're going to do everything we can as a Lehigh Lacrosse family to support the cause."
The Mountain Hawks are also participating in No-Shave November as a team to help grow cancer awareness. No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.
Before the semester ends, Lehigh, along with every Lehigh Athletics team, will take part in Adopt-A-Family where the Mountain Hawks provide a holiday for a local underprivileged family. The process includes shopping for gifts, wrapping them and delivering them on December 3.
"Guys like Ian Strain and Cody Triolo have bedaen incredibly proactive organizing events and collecting donations," said Weber. "It seems like every day, another guy is making an announcement with a new campaign. The majority of our events involve developing relationships with the local youth. Through organized events like Reading Rocks and Adopt-A-Family to just hanging out with the kids at Donegan Elementary and Lehigh Child Center, we have developed valuable relationships with the local community. Beyond that, we also join the fight against cancer through manly outlets."
All the community service is beneficial in a variety of ways. Along with the fulfilling nature of giving back, it helps the Mountain Hawks come together outside of lacrosse.
"Community service is also great for team chemistry and team building, getting a group of guys together outside of lacrosse just to do something different, but sometimes even just as challenging," said Cassese.
The Mountain Hawks are hard at work this fall preparing for their 2016 season, which begins on Feb. 6 vs. NJIT. The nonleague schedule is highlighted by road games at Duke and Princeton and a home showdown against Cornell.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
"Community service is great because it's a positive on both sides of it," said Lehigh head coach Kevin Cassese. "We're helping some phenomenal people, including young people who are going to be the next generation and future leaders. It's great to work with organizations who do so much good in the world. We feel great that we're helping all these people in some small way, and then on the other side, the experience really helps our players put things into perspective."
"What I am most impressed with is the willingness of each and every one of the guys to participate and lead different initiatives," said senior co-captain Reid Weber. "I think we all understand how blessed we are to attend such an incredible institution, and for the good health we have to play the sport we love. So when the opportunity to give back to those less fortunate presents itself, we jump all over the chance."
Just a few days into the fall semester, the Mountain Hawks held their annual community service kickoff for the City of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation. This year, the team handled cleanup under the Fahey Bridge, went into the woods and cleaned up trash and helped clean up parts of South Bethlehem.
Next for the Mountain Hawks was Community Night on Oct. 3 when Lehigh opened its doors to all members of the community for an hour-long free lacrosse clinic.
"It gets kids playing lacrosse and having a good time, then they stay and watch our Alumni Game right after," said Cassese.
Following pacing break in October, the Mountain Hawks were the first Lehigh Athletics team to head to Donegan Elementary School for the Reading Rocks program. The whole team spent approximately one hour with the students, helping them read before getting to know the youngsters through playing games and other activities.
The Mountain Hawks also went to the Lehigh University Child Care Center twice this fall, as they have every year.
"We went over and taught the kids how to play lacrosse," said Cassese. "We also played on the playground, did some puzzles and played some games and had a good time with them."
Lehigh's lone fall weekend of outside competition this fall came on Oct. 10 at the HEADstrong SJU Fall Scrimmage as the Mountain Hawks played host Saint Joseph's and Villanova. The HEADstrong Foundation™ is a 501(c)(3) committed to improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families through providing essential programs and services. The blueprints for the Foundation were conceptualized by Nicholas "HEAD" Colleluori in 2006, from his hospital bed while he underwent treatment for non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which ultimately claimed his life. Today, Nick's vision is being fulfilled through the relentless efforts of his family, athletes and supporters across the country uniting in the fight against cancers.
"There was a fundraising goal set by headstrong for all three teams of $3,000," said Cassese. "We surpassed that goal 24 hours before the actual event happened. Our team played a huge role in that and everybody chipped in and supported the cause for the fight against blood cancer."
The Mountain Hawks have been heavily involved in HEADstrong events in the past and are big supporters.
"I've gotten to know the Colleluori family very well in my time here at Lehigh," said Cassese. "We've played in so many of their events along the way, whether it be the Colleluori Classic in fall ball, the Relentless Cup in the spring or just having them at one of our games. With them being in our back yard in the Philadelphia area and HEADstrong having such a strong presence, it's been a natural connection between the Lehigh Lacrosse family and the Colleluori family.
"We try to do whatever we can to support their mission and their efforts because we think it's so important," Cassese continued. "The fight against all cancers is an uphill battle. We feel like we can play a small part in that and we're going to do everything we can as a Lehigh Lacrosse family to support the cause."
The Mountain Hawks are also participating in No-Shave November as a team to help grow cancer awareness. No-Shave November is a month-long journey during which participants forgo shaving and grooming in order to evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness.
Before the semester ends, Lehigh, along with every Lehigh Athletics team, will take part in Adopt-A-Family where the Mountain Hawks provide a holiday for a local underprivileged family. The process includes shopping for gifts, wrapping them and delivering them on December 3.
"Guys like Ian Strain and Cody Triolo have bedaen incredibly proactive organizing events and collecting donations," said Weber. "It seems like every day, another guy is making an announcement with a new campaign. The majority of our events involve developing relationships with the local youth. Through organized events like Reading Rocks and Adopt-A-Family to just hanging out with the kids at Donegan Elementary and Lehigh Child Center, we have developed valuable relationships with the local community. Beyond that, we also join the fight against cancer through manly outlets."
All the community service is beneficial in a variety of ways. Along with the fulfilling nature of giving back, it helps the Mountain Hawks come together outside of lacrosse.
"Community service is also great for team chemistry and team building, getting a group of guys together outside of lacrosse just to do something different, but sometimes even just as challenging," said Cassese.
The Mountain Hawks are hard at work this fall preparing for their 2016 season, which begins on Feb. 6 vs. NJIT. The nonleague schedule is highlighted by road games at Duke and Princeton and a home showdown against Cornell.
Like Lehigh men's lacrosse on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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