Women’s History Month at Villanova
Leah Smith Staff Writer
Though it can sometimes get lost in the excitement of Shamrock Shakes and NCAA March Madness, this month is also Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the achievements, resilience and contributions of women worldwide. March presents an opportunity to celebrate the trailblazers who paved the way, the changemakers pushing boundaries and the everyday heroes whose hard work and impact often go unnoticed.
A key moment in this celebration was International Women’s Day on March 8, a global recognition of women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
This year International Women’s Day fell on Daylight Savings Time. Americans lost one hour of sleep that night, which is ironic because if history has taught us anything, it’s that women are often expected to do more, with less time.
At Villanova, women aren’t just part of the story. They’re writing it. From excelling in academics and athletics to leading advocacy efforts, female students, faculty and staff shape campus culture every day.
One organization making a lasting impact is “She’s the First,” a student-led club committed to advancing girls’ education and gender equality worldwide. By raising awareness and funds to support first-generation female students in low-income countries, “She’s the First” is turning advocacy into action. On campus, the organization fosters a dedicated community through mentorship programs, speaker events and initiatives designed to empower the next generation of women leaders.
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Pro-Life Demonstration Held on Campus p. 3
Fill Out a Bracket p. 14-15
The Future of Villanova Basketball is Uncertain
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
When Villanova announced on Saturday, March 16, that it was parting ways with head men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune, it marked the start of an uncertain future for Villanova basketball.
For the time being, it was announced that an interim coach will take responsibility for the coach duties while Villanova finds its next head coach to lead the program.
“A national search for the next leader of Villanova Men’s Basketball will begin immediately, and
we look forward to sharing more information when an appointment is finalized,”
University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. said in a statement released on March 15.
“Until then, Mike Nardi ‘07 VSB, will serve as the interim head coach.”
Villanova was once a program that was consistently at the top of the college basketball landscape.
From 2004 to 2022, the Wildcats made tournament appearances in all but one season and captured two national championships in three years (2016 and 2018).
After another season that fell short of expec -
tations, Villanova is set for an entirely new look. With a new athletic director, a soon to be new coach and its entire starting five departing this offseason, the future of Villanova basketball is one big question mark.
First, Villanova needs to find a coach who is capable of the pressures that come with leading the basketball program, but at the same time a coach who represents the University’s values. There are a multitude of high-level coaches who can perform under pressure but could struggle to represent Villanova’s values.
The two approaches
to that include hiring from the ‘Villanova family’ or going outside and bringing in someone who has no connection to Villanova, which Villanova rarely does.
However, with the recent hire of the new Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric Roedl, hiring outside of the program might just be the way Villanova goes. Roedl, who was the deputy athletic director at Oregon University before coming to Villanova, knows what it is like to make future-defining coaching hires and decisions.
After all, Jay Wright’s former coaching
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Father Peter Shares Community Updates
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
As Villanova’s students, faculty and staff returned from Spring Break for the second half of the semester, University President Father Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. released an email Wednesday morning sharing major updates to come over the final weeks of the 2024-25 academic year and beyond. The most immediate impact for students comes in
GSJI Fights for University Workers p. 6
Office of Health Promotion: Need a Nap? p. 19
the form of a tuition hike and financial aid budget increase for the 2026 fiscal year. This comes as the University attempts to hit its goal of meet-
ing 100% of demonstrated undergraduate financial need, as was specified in the “Rooted, Restless” Strategic Plan released in 2019.
Villanova’s
7
Supernovas Advance to ICAAs Semifinals p. 22
All-American
“Over the past ten years, Villanova has increased undergraduate financial assistance at a rate that exceeds the annual tuition increase, and the undergraduate financial assistance budget has increased by 62 percent,” Father Peter wrote. “Like most colleges and universities across the country, Villanova is heavily dependent on tuition revenue to support operational expenses and is impacted by general inflation and labor market conditions. Annual increases, which con-
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Villanova did not make the NCCA Tournament during the three seasons of Neptune’s coaching stint. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography
Radio Station WXVU Wins Big p.
Sof Says: First Pluto, Now Neptune p. 10
T&F Collects Three
Honors at Nationals p. 24
Villanova Women with an Impact p. 11
Wildcat Watch: Maddie Burke Reflects on Villanova p. 26
The email sent to the student body provided updates about the upcoming year. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography
PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER
THEFT
March 11, MAIN CAMPUS
GROUNDS
A male resident student reported a food delivery stolen.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE
March 13, WEST CAMPUS GROUNDS
Two male resident students, under the age of 21, appeared in public intoxicated. Both students were evaluated and released.
LIQUOR UNDERAGE
March 15, FRIAR HALL
A male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS for alcohol intoxication.
CORRECTIONS
Emma DeSouza Talk
Isabella Carlin Co-News Editor
On Tuesday, March 11, the Center for Irish Studies welcomed Emma DeSouza, an award-winning Irish writer and campaigner, who gave a speech titled, “Change From the Ground Up: The Role of Women, Youth, and Community-Based Movements in Effecting Societal Change in Northern Ireland.”
In addition to her journalism experience, DeSouza serves as a peace activist and political commentator with a focus on grassroots change in Northern Ireland. She is also the founder and co-facilitator of deliberative democracy platform, “The Civic Initiative, Director of Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program at the National Committee on American Foreign Policy” in New York, and is a transatlantic advisor on peace processes. DeSouza also played a role in changing UK law in a historic case relating to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
The event began with a welcome and introduction from Irish studies and political science professor, Cera Murtagh, Ph.D.
“[DeSouza] has a distinct perspective on these issues and a very valuable one at the time of Northern Ireland’s transition,” Murtagh said.
DeSouza started her talk by highlighting the power of community-based agreements in the history of peace treaties in Northern Ireland. She specifically focused on how women in Northern Ireland played a monumental role in bringing forth change, specifically relating to the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition actions.
“When women are involved in peace processes, they are stronger,” DeSouza said.
She highlighted how there is imperative data to suggest that women have the ability to bring about peace in the context of politics and greater society.
“When women are included in peace talks, there is a 35% increase
ARSON
March 16, STANFORD HALL
Police responded to an automatic fire alarm and discovered evidence of a fire which was set intention
that there will be 15 years of peace or more,” DeSouza said.
DeSouza further emphasized the importance of education and female participation in politics, especially for young individuals living in Northern Ireland. She shared how young people have the ability to shape change that can catch the attention of and put pressure on the government system.
“Historically, meaningful change has been sparked outside of government buildings,” DeSouza said.
The stories of Northern Ireland teenagers Matthew Taylor and Lauren Bond were detailed in relation to impactful youth change and political campaigning. Taylor is an advocate who promotes mental health within the youth population. Bond has campaigned for the Northern Ireland education system to inform students about the Troubles.
“I am hopeful,” DeSouza said. “I know first-hand the impact an individual can have. I also know how difficult it can be to see the impact you can have.”
The speaker concluded her speech by drawing the audience’s attention to her hopes for the future of the Northern Ireland government system. She introduced the ideas of positive and negative peace. She defined positive peace as a country having political stability and an increase of human capital. DeSouza then described how Northern Ireland is experiencing negative peace currently. Negative peace is the lack of violence in a country, without the promotion of the factors described within positive peace.
“Is it good enough to have an absence of violence or should we be aspiring for something more?” DeSouza said.
DeSouza left the audience with a lasting message that there is a great need for change in Northern Ireland, despite the lasting peace impacts of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Her presentation allowed both students and faculty members alike to gain a new perspective.
In Memory Of
Addie
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
Content warning: this article mentions a death on campus. Please contact the University counseling center for help and resources for yourself or others at 610-519-4050.
At 11:31 a.m. on March 15th Villanova students were notified via Nova Alert about a student death in Canon Hall.
At 1:29 p.m. the same day, students were sent an email from VP of Student Life Kathleen Byrnes including more information.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to Addie’s family and friends on this heartbreaking loss,” Byrnes shared in her email.
The student who passed away was sophomore English major Addie Fiscus from California.
Heather Hicks of the English department sent out an email to the students in the major.
“Addie touched many hearts inside and outside our classrooms. A sophomore English major and Creative Writing minor, Addie was pursuing her passions in writing, literature, and law. The faculty and students of the English Department will greatly miss her,” Hicks said.
The cause of death has yet to be confirmed. However, there is still no foul play suspected.
Ashley Montecchio Vero, the Assistant Director of Club Sports, Fitness, & Recreation, sent an email out to Club Swim.
“The club sports office are here to support you all; please don’t hesitate to let us know if there’s anything that we can do” the email shared.
The original Nova Alert shared that Fiscus was found deceased in her room.
The University is working with local law enforcement and will release more information after her family has been notified.
Mathew Verghese works in Villanova’s Office of Mission and Ministry.
Fiscus
“While there are always ways to improve, we so often feel the support of the Villanova community shine forth in tragic moments like these,” he said. “We try to collaborate across campus with appropriate staff and faculty to make support as widely available as possible. Special partners are Augustinian friars, the University Counseling Center, Dean of Students office, Residence Hall staff, and colleagues throughout Student Life. We have been in awe of the ways our colleagues and students support one another.”
The University counseling center will have drop-in hours available throughout the week. Students can go online to schedule, drop by the Counseling Center or call.
“As part of the community of support on campus, our staff is available now and in the days ahead to meet with students as they sift through the range of experiences of grief and connect with what they discover they need most,” Verghese said.
“We have worked to offer opportunities for community gathering and prayer both for those who know Addie well and those who aren’t sure how to process just yet but feel affected by the loss,” Verghese said.
The counseling center also has staff going to classes and meetings as requested to provide additional support and share resources.
For questions or concerns please contact Public Safety at 610519-5800.
This is a developing story, and The Villanovan will continue to provide updates as they are released.
Additional resources:
Villanova Public Safety Non-Emergency: 610-519-5800
Bryn Mawr Hospital: 484337-3000
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800799-7233
Villanova Student Health Center: 610-519-4070
Mainline Health Urgent Care: 866-225-5654
Father Peter Shares Community Updates
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
from p.1
-sider all these factors, enable the University to continue providing an exceptional academic experience, comprehensive student support services, and additional need-based financial assistance while ensuring continued prudent financial stewardship.”
While tuition increases cause frustration amongst some of the general student body, on-campus organizations like Student Government Association are looking to the future in terms of using a possible budget increase to benefit all students and the Villanova community as a whole.
“Over the years, SGA has worked to help bring meaningful improvements to student life in areas like dining, residence halls and campus facilities, investments that directly enhance our Villanova experience,” Aleko Zeppos, Vice President of SGA, said in a statement on behalf of the organization. “As tuition changes, we remain committed to ensuring that every dollar contributes to making our university an even better place to learn, grow and thrive. Our goal is to keep putting the ‘V’ in Value, ensuring that Villanova continues to be a place where students feel supported and set up for success both inside and outside the classroom.”
Students, both recently graduated from Villanova and currently attending, have seen multiple hikes in terms of tuition cost. Since 2014, the cost for undergraduate tuition has risen by more than $24,000, from $45,966 in 2014 to $69,846 for this current year on par with higher application rates, high-profile coverage due to the two men’s basketball championships in 2016 and 2018 and in turn, more selective admissions into Villanova. However, as Villanova plans to reopen the recently acquired Cabrini campus in the Fall of 2026, larger admissions classes are to be expected.
“We’re anticipating, since we’ll have more space, that we will likely be bringing in a larger class,” Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission Matthew Harris said to The Villanovan in an October interview. “We want to make sure that as we do that we’re not losing the character of Villanova in terms of the type of students. That is the type of students who are really committed to Villanova, and committed to our mission, and are intellectually strong and ready to come and be successful on campus.”
Father Peter as well went into detail on Cabrini in his email, as allocation of space for both students and different faculty departments across Cabrini’s campus have been proposed and decided upon by University administration, including the Department of Psychological and
Brain Sciences, graduate programs in the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the Department of Education and Counseling, the Ethics Program and partially, the Department of Communication.
“I am grateful for the engagement of these departments, and we are committed to supporting their outstanding outcomes in teaching and learning, scholarship and community engagement in this next chapter,” Father Peter wrote. “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in the planning for the Cabrini campus. With each passing month, I am energized by the immense possibilities it provides for our campus community.”
Outside of the email, discussions are still in the works on a variety of Cabrini-related subjects, including events for Special Olympics and NOVAdance being held on the Cabrini campus in future years.
The email also included a number of name changes, mostly including Cabrini’s buildings being renamed to honor both Mother Cabrini and Saint Augustine, but also a few for Villanova’s main campus.
These include Old Falvey being renamed to Kyle Hall, New Falvey being renamed Moriarty Hall (not to be confused with the soon-to-be demolished residence hall) and Aldwyn One being renamed to Kennedy Hall. The full list can be found attached to the email.
This is indicative of the strong desire Father Peter and the Villanova administration had to honor the Cabrini legacy and mission - a desire announced back in June 2023 at the outset of Villanova’s acquisition of the Cabrini campus.
Additionally, Father Peter touched on a number of student successes over the past 365 days, including junior Rita Sogati’s being awarded the Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship. He also touched on the recent developments when it comes to higher education under the Trump administration, notably the targeting of universities under threat of losing federal funding, should the University not comply with Trump’s strict anti-DEI policies.
“We remain rooted in our Augustinian Catholic mission and believe in the value and worth that each individual brings to our community,” Father Peter wrote. “We will continue to make decisions with the goal of caring for and furthering the entire Villanova community.”
This is a time of grave uncertainty for universities nation-wide, evidenced by Columbia University recently losing $400 million in federal funding over “the school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” Villanova recently announced it would be complying with federal guidance and policies, with updates from the administration to come on details.
Pro-Life Demonstration Held on Campus
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
On Monday, March 10, Villanovans returned to campus from Spring Break, expecting to resume classes and campus activities as normal. However, Villanovans were surprised when five unexpected visitors stationed themselves on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenue.
Five male members of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) held a pro-life demonstration across from the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts. The group forcibly handed out its conservative pamphlets relating to abortion as students passed by.
The group is not affiliated with Villanova. Public safety officers were loosely monitoring the demonstration, but because it occurred on public property, the group could not be escorted off campus.
The five men ranged in age and were dressed in military garb. They played the bagpipes and held up flags and signs.
One of the signs read, “Abortion is a daily 9/11.” Another sign read, “Honk if you survived an abortion.”
Some members of the student body were upset by this demonstration and encounter. Some women on campus reported feeling upset and offended by the group’s brash nature.
Co-President of The Space, sophomore Sophia Lemmons, expressed her thoughts
regarding the demonstration.
“Regardless of where you stand politically or on that issue, that type of jargon is not productive and it is harmful and upsetting, regardless of where you sit,” Lemmons said.
The Space is a student-run organization on campus that advocates for reproductive justice both on and off Villanova’s campus.
It was formed in 2022 after the overturn of Roe v. Wade to provide students a space to talk while feeling both safe and heard.
Today, it is composed of a six-person executive board. While there are around 30 active members, the organization’s GroupMe has about 200 members.
During the demonstration on Monday, members of The Space were particularly outraged.
“At some point in the morning to afternoon yesterday, we started getting texts from our members and people about this demonstration out on Ithan Avenue at the intersection,” Lemmons said. “They were just militant, hateful, they were a very disruptive presence. They did not respect people’s space or boundaries, or the fact that no means no, disinterest means disinterest.”
Sophomore Ally Lombardo, The Space Event Coordinator, did not understand why the group decided to protest on Villanova’s campus.
“I feel like there are not a lot of young college students that are going to join their cause,” Lombardo said. “I could be wrong about that, but I feel that maybe their goal wasn’t to get people to join their organization, but
more so just to make a scene and to make themselves martyrs in a way.”
The Space executive board members created an Instagram story, informing its followers about the demonstration. The post included information about the group, its message and the fact that the demonstration occurred on public property.
“We were all very frustrated, obviously,” Lombardo said. “I know some people get very upset. I personally try not to let that kind of thing affect me, because, like, at the end of the day, I know what I believe, and they know what they believe…there’s not going to be a productive conversation between the two of us. So, they can exist in their realm, and I will exist in mine.”
The Space has dealt with numerous challenges given that it is a university-funded organization on a Catholic campus. The executive board members have frequently advocated to change their organization’s name from The Space to “Villanovans for Reproductive Justice.” They have continuously been told no by the University.
“We are here, and people that are passionate or feel alone are not alone, and there are other people that are passionate and dedicated to advocating for reproductive justice,” Lemmons said.
The Space is going to continue pushing for its cause and name change, especially after a public demonstration such as the one last Monday that caught the attention of many.
The protest occurred on the corner of Ithan and Lancaster Avenue Sophia Lemmons/Villanovan Photography
Continued
Former Villanovan EICs React to Media Restrictions
Isabella Balian Staff Writer
A few weeks ago, the White House blocked an Associated Press reporter from an event in the Oval Office due to their refusal to acknowledge the geographical name switch from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. As a result, the White House is barring all Associated Press journalists from accessing media spaces within the Oval Office and the Air Force One.
Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit global news network organization dedicated to factual reporting. AP journalists have been regular representatives in the White House press pool, covering the President in D.C and abroad. An estimated 4 billion people read AP news every day, and journalists cover 100 countries.
When the Trump Administration renamed the Gulf of Mexico, the AP Style Guide reported that Trump’s order only carries authority within the U.S., and other countries did not have to recognize the change.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Taylor Budowich commented on the Associated Press’ actions.
“The Associated Press continues to ignore the lawful geographic name change of the Gulf of America,” Budowich said. “This decision
is not just divisive, but it also exposes the Associated Press’ commitment to misinformation. While their right to irresponsible and dishonest reporting is protected by the First Amendment, it does not ensure their privilege of unfettered access to limited spaces, like the Oval Office and Air Force One.”
In addition to the Associated Press, Reuters reported that the White House also denied representatives from Reuters, Huffpost and Der Tagesspiegel.
Shortly after, the White House Administration announced it would determine which media outlets would be able to enter media pools to cover the President’s smaller spaces, like the Oval Office.
The Villanovan spoke to former Editors-in-Chief, Hannah Sweeney and Emma Cahill, to gauge their reactions to recent limitations on media coverage. As former Editors-in-Chief, both Sweeney and Cahill have strong experience within the media sector, and have dedicated a large chunk of their college career to journalism.
The two students reported their general reactions, and overall disappointment.
“When I first heard this news, I was disappointed but not surprised,” Sweeney said. “For years, Donald Trump and his administration have attacked and belittled those who disagree with them. I find it particularly frustrating that Donald Trump only
uses the First Amendment when it is beneficial to him.”
Cahill discussed the importance of free speech in journalism, and how this affects journalism outlets nationwide.
“I believe that free speech is central to informing our community,” Cahill said. “There is a great value in being able to understand every perspective of an issue, and that can only be accomplished when people are able to freely express themselves.”
Sweeney agreed, while also addressing the precedent being sent for future journalists.
“I think when you see national news outlets facing backlash and being punished for their content, it sets a dangerous example that could intimidate young journalists,” Sweeney said.
As former Editors-in-Chief for The Villanovan, they acknowledged the potential threat towards both students and young people in general.
“I could foresee student newspapers and young journalists veering away from writing about controversial topics and politics, which is unfortunate considering those topics greatly impact college aged students,” Sweeney said.
Cahill echoed Sweeney’s statements, speaking on her experience publishing possibly controversial articles.
“As former Editor-in-Chief of The Villanovan, I believe that our most
successful articles are the ones that not everyone may agree with,” Cahill said. “When an article promotes discussion among our community, we have done our job right.”
To conclude, Cahill discussed potential concerns for the future of journalism and government action under the Trump administration.
“This raises questions for me about whether the Trump administration has a preferred narrative regarding government in public debate, and whether their actions could be challenged on legal grounds in the future,” Cahill said.
Sweeney also discussed students’ potential unwillingness to continue careers that may be affected by limitations of media.
“In terms of journalism as a whole, I think Donald Trump has made it clear he intends to intimidate, censor and threaten any news outlets that do not report positively on his administration,” Sweeney said. “I think that the direction the Trump administration is taking this country will definitely deter people from pursuing certain careers, journalism included,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney also spoke on the necessity of continuing authentic journalism.
“I hope that current and future journalists continue to report accurately and truthfully,” she said. “Despite Trump’s efforts to silence them.”
How Is Villanova Admissions Affected By Basketball?
Finn Courtney Co-News Editor
Two national championships in the span of three years garner much publicity from the mainstream media and attract many aspiring college applicants. What do three straight disappointing seasons and an heir apparent turned fired coach do?
It’s a question that likely won’t be answered with the incoming Class of 2029, as the admission cycle wraps up this week but looking at years to come, it will be a statistic to be revisited. In terms of getting eyeballs and applicants to a school, sports is king. The University of Georgia had a 46% (13,131 admitted out of 28,524) acceptance rate in 2020. But after winning two national titles in college football in the 2021 and 2022 seasons?
That number skyrocketed in the 2022 admissions cycle, with the number of applicants almost doubling and Georgia downsizing to a 35% (15,340 admitted out of 43,700) acceptance rate. UConn, the reigning back-to-back national champions in basketball, has also seen its number of applicants skyrocket from 40,894 applicants in 2022 to more than 62,000 in this year’s admissions cycle. And while Villanova is far from the same stature in football that Georgia is, Villanova’s basketball has mirrored UConn’s recent success, both in admissions and on the court.
In 2015, Villanova held a 48% acceptance rate, but that soon plummeted to just 27.7% (6,338 out of 22,880 applicants) accepted in the 2019 admissions cycle,
with the number of applicants also steadily increasing, just after Jay Wright’s Wildcats won two championships in 2016 and 2018.
A 2018 Forbes article covering the effect of March Madness success on admissions also noted a staggering 21% increase in applicants after winning the 2016 championship, from 17,266 applicants up to 21,095 post-title win. In 2022, The Villanovan covered the drop in acceptance rate, with two students saying that Villanova’s basketball success both inspired and pushed them to apply and commit to ‘Nova Nation.
Even with the Class of 2028, six years removed from Villanova’s last national championship, those selective statistics can still be seen as acceptance numbers have never met the 48% mark again, as the 2024 admissions cycle saw Villanova have a 23.5% acceptance rate. But now after missing March Madness three straight years and the firing of Kyle Neptune as head coach, a dip in applicants may be seen in future admission cycles without the allure of a big-time college sports team.
For current students graduating in 2025 up until 2028, which would mark a decade since Villanova’s last championship win, barring one in the next three years, only one grade of students has seen Villanova make the NCAA Tournament. Basketball may not have been the main deciding criteria in applying and/or coming to Villanova for current students, but it certainly impacted it.
“Obviously it wasn’t the main factor of coming here, but everyone I talked to who had gone
to [Villanova] always talked about how the basketball games were the highlight of their winters because of how good the team was and how fun the games were,” sophomore Justin Sebelin said. “It’s unfortunate that students now haven’t got to experience that joy because the program has not been successful since Jay Wright left.”
Now with a coaching search and a team that has stalled after two decades of widespread success, questions do arise about how that will impact future applicants -- might they be more inclined to go to a school with more national prominence? A school with sports success? While the questions total in the hundreds, current students like Sebelin, however, still hope for a return to prominence for the team.
“Hopefully, we are able to get back to the Villanovan standard so students can once again experi-
ence being one of, if not the best team in the nation,” Sebelin said. Neptune’s firing, however, also does come at an auspicious time in terms of applicants to Villanova, as both admissions personnel and the Villanova administration have been vocal in how bigger classes for incoming students are to be expected. Back in October, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission Matthew Harris told The Villanovan that beginning with the Class of 2029, the University will likely be bringing in bigger classes of first-year students.
This comes with the soonto-be reopened Cabrini campus and expansion of Villanova’s campus under the master plan announced last summer, thus perhaps offsetting the drop in national coverage on Villanova without as renowned a basketball program as it had in the Jay Wright era over the past 20 years.
With Kyle Neptune’s firing and three straight NCAA tournament-less years, will admissions be affected? Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Villanova Named Top Fulbright Producer for 17th Year
Emma Cote Co-News Editor
Villanova has been named a top Fulbright scholarship producer for the 17th consecutive year. Forty-six of the 99 University applicants have been named semifinalists for the impressive international research and education program.
The Fulbright scholarship flagship international exchange program, and is wildly popular amongst Villanova students. The prestigious fellowship affords students the ability to conduct research and teach abroad.
Established in 1946, the primary pursuit of the Fulbright program is to increase understanding amongst nations and is the most diverse international exchange program.
“Villanova’s recognition as a top producer of Fulbright recipients is a testament to our students’ dedication to academic excellence, service and global engagement,” University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. said in a February press release.
Each year, those awarded the Fulbright Scholarship study a wide array of subjects in a variety of countries. The program is administered through the Center for Research and Fellowships.
This academic year, 46 of the
99 Villanova applicants were named semifinalists for the program. These semifinalists will be alerted within the next three months if they have ultimately earned a spot within the program, as well as their future locations for studying.
Currently, 160 countries participate in the Fulbright program. Students return from the countries that they studied in with new memories, friends and a heightened understanding and appreciation for their culture.
Last year, 18 students were awarded the prestigious fellowship, consisting of a wide array of various majors, backgrounds and prospective countries in which they were going to be studying. Amongst these impressive students is Villanova alumnus Gavin Woodin.
Woodin graduated from the University with a double major in biology and Spanish, as well as minors in global health, Latin American studies and peace and justice. He is interested in the intersection of environmental issues and public health, and has previously completed research examining this interplay.
Awarded the immensely impressive fellowship last spring, Woodin was granted the opportunity to teach abroad in Uruguay following his completion of undergraduate studies. This Fulbright award specifically is known as the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA).
“The Fulbright Program has
broadened my perspective about how I experience the world.” Woodin said.
While study abroad offers students a fulfilling and rich experience within one’s undergraduate years, the Fulbright scholarship allows for another novel opportunity to study in other areas in the world following graduation. This invaluable close up with different cultures is something not many students will experience within a learning environment following their college years. Specifically, the ability to learn, as well as teach in these conducive learning settings is not typical for most after their time at the University.
“Immersing myself on the culture and picking up on the ‘little things’ has made me think about the similarities we all share, and what
makes us distinct,” Woodin said. Year after year, the University is renowned for the number of Fulbrights awarded, which is reported annually in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The competition itself is administered by the University’s own Center for Research and Fellowships. With nearly half of all Villanova applicants being awarded semi-finalist positions, the University is awaiting to hear from those who have earned a spot amongst the many others who also have participated in the extremely impressive program. Those who have been awarded the Fulbright will be notified relatively soon, in preparation of their departure in the time following their graduation from Villanova.
Irish Poet Stephen Sexton Visits Villanova University
Katie Bryda Staff Writer
This week, on Thursday. March 13, Villanova’s English Department continued its annual Villanova Literary Festival in partnership with the Center for Irish Studies. Villanova hosted Northern Irish poet Dr. Stephen Sexton for a reading from his most recent poetry collection, Cheryl’s Destinies.
Sexton graduated with his masters and Ph.D. in creative writing from the Seamus Heaney Center at Queen’s University Belfast, where he now teaches courses in poetry. Queen’s University Belfast and the Seamus Heaney Center work closely with Villanova University, as each year each school sends a creative writing class abroad to the opposite university. This year, Villanova students from the “Writing Through Conflict” class traveled with Sexton to and from Northern Ireland before he came to speak at Villanova.
Sexton’s reading was hosted in the President’s Lounge of the Connelly Center. A pre-reading reception was held at 6:30 p.m., where students and faculty were given the opportunity to talk with Sexton and enjoy food and drinks. Students and faculty were also able to buy copies of both of his books, all of which were signed.
While this reception was going on, a band played traditional Irish music for the crowd. But at 7 p.m., Dr. Joseph Lennon, head of the Irish Studies Department, stepped up to the mic to give a
small introduction on why Sexton was visiting. Sexton is the current Charles A. Heimbold, Jr. Chair, a position established in 2000 at Villanova University and inaugurated by Seamus Heaney, after whom the center Sexton graduated from, is named.
Lennon described Sexton’s poetry, saying “...his poetry makes me laugh…it makes me reflect, and it makes me feel commonality.”
After giving some more announcements, Lennon introduced two creative writing students, Mary-Kate Farrell and Zach Rendall, who spoke about their experiences when reading Sexton’s poetry.
Farrell detailed a number of awards Sexton’s first book received, and Rendall detailed parts of the collection that were inspired heavily by Super Mario Brothers. But the main focus of the night was his newest collection published in 2021, Cheryl’s Destinies. Farrell noted that Sexton “beautifully blends personal history, nostalgia and pop culture into a narrative.”
Before Sexton began reading, he first began with thanks. He thanked both Farrell and Rendall for their introduction, and noted the hospitality Villanova and its community had shown him.
“[I am] utterly thrilled to receive this invitation, and it has meant a lot [me],” Sexton said.
He also thanked Villanova and the Center for Irish Studies for their investment into him as a creative and as a poet.
Sexton then read a select amount of poems from Cher-
yl’s Destinies but also read a few newer poems. He noted how some of his most powerful poems were entirely made up, like one about a grandfather, who is nothing like his own grandfather. In a silent room, Sexton’s voice carried emotion and impact, but also a passion and love that one can feel through his writing. It is clear that Sexton loves what he does, and he is incredibly open about sharing his talents and expertise with all students.
Once he finished his reading to a standing ovation, Sexton then took a few questions. Some questions asked about his writing process, while others tackled what
it was like to be an Irish author in a post-Troubles Ireland. In each response Sexton was thoughtful and kind, and took the time to unpack each one no matter the subject. Afterward, students and faculty lined up to get their books signed by Sexton, who took time to talk to each student and ask some of the students he had seen in Belfast just a week prior how they were doing.
It is once in a lifetime that a creative such as Sexton shares so much of himself with a community, and Villanova will continue to work with him, the Seamus Heaney Center and Queen’s University Belfast.
Northern Irish poet Stephen Sexton visited Villanova last weekl. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography
Villanova has been named a top Fulbright scholarship producer for the 17th consecutive year. Graham Sukup/Villanovan Photography
University Begins Women’s History Month Celebrations
Julia Heurtley Staff Writer
On March 8, most of the world celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), a tradition that finds its origins in early 20th century western Europe.
According to the official International Women’s Day website, the day was originally proposed by the Leader of the “Women’s Office” for the Social Democratic Party in Germany, Clara Zetkin in 1910, and the first IWD was held March 19, 1911.
This day was the brainchild of Zetkin, who was supported by unions, socialist parties, and women’s working clubs, as a day on which women could come together to protest, advocate and be heard out about their campaigns for women’s rights including rights to training, work, vote, to hold office and generally to end discrimination.
International Women’s Day was first marked by the United Nations in 1975 then adopted as a resolution to be observed by all member states in 1977.
Today it is an official holiday in more than 20 countries and is informally celebrated all over the world.
At the turn of the millennium there was renewed effort to ensure the impact of IWD with the creation of an official website and the enactment of campaign themes to concentrate a focus for the day.
According to the United Nations the 2025 IWD theme is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” Although broad, this theme calls for a “feminist future where no one is left behind.”
In the year of the centennial celebration of International Women’s Day (2011) President Barack Obama proclaimed March to be Women’s History Month (WHM), drawing focus to the accomplishments of women who played a vital and extraordinary role in national history.
Expanding the scope and commemoration of women’s historical value and battle for rights was a significant measure that has stayed
in place and facilitated more conversation and discovery of the value of women.
However, what International Women’s Day and Women’s History month stand for cannot be contained to a mere day or month because every day is a part of the ongoing fight for equality, as women face violence and hate ceaselessly.
It is a turbulent time for women right now considering the changes in the landscape of women’s rights with the new presidential administration, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the repeal of other equality-based initiatives such as diversity, equity and inclusion, which guards against gender-based discrim-
ination amongst other things. At Villanova, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the efforts for Women’s Rights through independent clubs and the University’s Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership. According to the official Instagram page of the McNulty Institute, @ novawomenlead, throughout March there are many events being held to celebrate Women’s History Month.
This upcoming week the McNulty institute is hosting a celebration at the Oreo on Wed. 19 to “highlight various organizations on campus that promote gender equity and female empowerment,” such organizations include The Pink Club, The Space, Women in STEM and various Greek organizations.
Additionally, the McNulty Institute is also holding a donation drive to support Home of the Sparrow, an organization that work with women who are experiencing homelessness with drop off bins located near Tolentine 203, outside the student involvement office in Dougherty Hall and in the Connolly Center lobby (more information on donation items can be found on Instagram @ novawomenlead).
Women’s History Month serves as a powerful reminder that the fight for gender equality is ongoing, and by participating in campus events here at Villanova, supporting advocacy efforts, and amplifying women’s voices, we can all contribute to a more just and equitable future, one that extends far beyond the
Global Social Justice Initiative Fights for University Workers
Isabella Balian Staff Writer
Students have been attempting to establish a break room for Connelly Center employees who currently don’t have one. Last fall, Villanovans revived the Global Social Justice Initiative (GSJI) on campus. The organization serves as a strong representation of Villanova’s Augustinian values, as it consistently creates opportunities to serve the community and promotes values rooted in social justice.
The organization was formed to address and improve social justice within the community, starting with their home at Villanova.
This year, it recently hosted a basketball tournament as a fundraiser for Palestine with catered food and sold Valentine’s Day roses for the California wildfire relief.
As a prominent worldwide social justice issue, the group launched an initiative regarding worker’s rights on campus. The organization posted a petition statement on their Instagram outlining its advocacy initiative for Connelly Center employees. In the statement, student representative Samuel Rowland discussed the great contribution that the Connelly Center workers bring to campus, and the importance of returning the favor.
“Our school staff, especially those working in the Connelly Center, are an integral part of our community.,” he said.
In the statement, Rowland acknowledged that the Connelly Center workers do not have a dedicated space
where they can take breaks during their shift. Workers usually are forced to eat their lunches alongside students or find a corner in the busy student center.
“This is far from ideal as it does not allow them the peace and quiet they deserve during their break times,” Rowland said.
Rowland and the organization indicated the potential for a break room equipped with basic amenities like a refrigerator, something in which most workplaces consider a standard amenity.
A representative from the student organization, Ari Valbrun, spoke to The Villanovan about the group’s previous efforts, goals for the breakroom initiative and an update on a year of advocacy.
Valbrun noted that the breakroom initiative was meant to create a space designated for dining hall workers to decompress from a hectic day of providing food to Villanova students.
“It formed because so many of us were driven by the same mission, to change the wrong around us, and to do so by educating both ourselves and others,” she said.
She also spoke about how the Connelly Center differs from other dining halls, and how their advocacy focuses on the Connelly Center because of their difficult situation.
“While other dining halls have more space for workers to take breaks, much of the limited seating in the Connelly Center is taken up by students, leaving workers with no choice but to eat their lunches in the locker room,” Valbrun said.
Valbrun also mentioned the renovation of the Connelly Center, which could bring the option of building a break room.
The breakroom initiative has been in motion for a while, but has faced trouble in communication with the Villanova administration.
“Little has changed regarding the specifics of our efforts,” Valbrun said. “One of our dilemmas last year was a lack of knowledge on who to reach out to at the University. The university has had a history of ignoring our emails asking to meet and discuss this issue, which is why we turned to petitioning as a tactic.”
The statement included that the organizers had sent University President Father Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. four emails, and he responded to one. In Father Peter’s
response, Rowland noted that he answered none of the questions, nor did he address their request for a meeting.
Rowland concluded the statement by officially calling on Villanova University to establish a dedicated break room for employees at the Connelly Center.
Valbrun also spoke about their recent efforts in petitioning, and the group plans to table on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to communicate with fellow students, as most of them are unaware of the lack of a break room in the Connelly Center, especially due to other buildings having break spaces.
“Put simply, we hope to secure a break room for the workers,” she said. “We consider anything short of this a failure, and we will continue to petition and raise awareness.”
Women’s History Month brings new events and opportunties to campus.
Emma Cote/Villanovan Photography
GSJI continues the long fight for Connelly Center workers rights. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography
Quiet: It’s Villanova on Set
Jasmine Srivastava Staff Writer
Over this past Spring Break, 17 Villanova students embarked to Los Angeles to immerse themselves in the eye of television and film in Hollywood.
“Villanova on Set” is a program designed for students interested in working in media and to help expose them to the different aspects of the industry in Los Angeles, California.
During the week, students met and learned from professionals who work in many companies and studios, including Jimmy Kimmel Live, Fulwell 73, Macro, Panavision, The Echo Society, United Talent Agency Paramount, Fox, Amazon and NBC. Many of these professionals are Villanova alumni.
“Most days, we would start at NBCU and meet with Jerry DiCanio (VSB ‘79), who graciously introduced us to many executives at NBCU who shared their wisdom and insights on the industry,” junior Daniel Kee said. DiCanio is the Executive vice president of Operations at NBCUniversal and has been helping students through this program for many years.
“This program is impossible without Jerry DiCanio,” Kee said. “His generosity and passion to help young industry professionals like ourselves learn more in this industry has immensely changed the trajectory of our careers and our lives.”
Kee explained that Jerry
DiCanio would introduce students to executives, showrunners and everyone in between, giving us a thorough experience in how a TV show is developed, produced and distributed.
Other notable alumni include Doug DeLuca (VSB ‘89) and Patrick Friend (CLAS ‘94), who are co-Executive Producers for Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The days included many activities and networking opportunities for students, including site visits, networking opportunities and meeting with alumni.
“At the end of the night, we would have reflections in the conference room of the hotel with about six to nine alumni, ranging from recent graduates to seasoned individuals cov-
ering all aspects of the film and media industry,” senior Elizabeth Bojdak said.
The students shared how much they gained through the trip and how much they learned throughout the week.
“Throughout this trip I took nearly a hundred pages of notes from talented figures in the industry and their advance on how to enter the industry, thrive under pressure and stay true to yourself through the process,” Zickel said.
Students also learned the many different avenues that exist in the industry, even when the industry sometimes far too simplified down to the point where entry inward seems impossible.
“One thing I was able to take away from this experience is how many different ways you can get involved with the industry,” Kee said. “Some go into production assistant work, some go to film school, some go to a talent agency. There are truly so many ways to get involved.”
Professor Hezekiah L. Lewis III, MFA, Associate Professor of Communication, accompanied the students to LA and established the program over a decade ago for students who wanted to pursue a career in this field.
“Heze has so much passion and fire to see each student succeed in this industry and this program would not exist without him,” Kee said.
The program is designed for students of all types who want a glimpse into the world of production and entertainment.
“The program is not specific to communication majors, nor do you need to know exactly what career you want to pursue…as long as you have the heart and are hungry to take advantage of these connections and wealth of knowledge,” Bojdak said. Students that attended were in awe of the countless resources the program provided to them, and when asked if they would recommend this program to other students, they responded only positively.
“As a junior,” Kee said, “the possibilities that I would not have not known about if it was not for my experiences at ‘Villanova On Set,’ excite me.”
Now, these students are excited to pursue careers in film and televsion.
Villanova’s Radio Station WXVU Wins Big
Ava Petrosky Staff Writer
Villanova’s radio station, WXVU (89.1 FM) The Roar, has taken home two trophies from the 2025 National Conference of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS). It won in the categories of Best News Interview and Best Public Affairs Program.
This is the third consecutive year that Villanova’s radio station has been nationally recognized by an award at this conference. It is also WXVU’s third year attending. This year, the IBS Conference took place from March 6 through March 8 at Sheraton Times Square in New York City.
Junior and WXVU Station Manager, M.K. Coolican, was recognized for Best News Interview. She received this award for her standout interview with Mick Coughlan, a former student of Tim Walz.
In this interview, Coolican asked Coughlan to describe his perception of Tim Walz as both a teacher and a person. It aired before the 2024 election.
The Best Public Affairs Program award was given to WXV&U Health for its podcast, The Senior Scaries: A Journey Through Senior Year, which launched in the spring of 2024.
WXV&U Health began in January in 2023 as a unique course through the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. It is a nurse-led radio program geared toward health promotion. Through this accelerated
course, senior nursing students are given five weeks to create a podcast and a public service announcement on a health topic of their choosing.
WXV&U Health is the first health department station in college radio.
Dr. Carol Weingarten is an associate professor of nursing, and she is also the Inaugural Director of WXV&U Health.
Weingarten proudly accepted this award on behalf of the podcast’s hosts, Ryan Batkay, Lauren Boyko and Teagan Sullivan, all of whom graduated as members of the Class of 2024.
Weingarten said attending the Conference felt “incredible.”
“So much goes into being excellent and with health you have to be accurate and excellent,” Weingarten said. “Our students are starting with zero experience, but looking at outcomes for the audience, focusing on excellence, and then seeing it recognized at the national level, especially in an audience of people whose careers are in radio…meant a lot because we were the first nurses to represent.”
Each year, the IBS Conference serves as an opportunity for young radio broadcasting students across the country to attend specified talks, network with industry professionals and other students, and learn. There were about 100 schools in attendance.
“This is my first time that I went,” WXVU Sports Director, junior David Szczepanski, said. “I loved every second of it…This was just a really great moment to network with
industry leaders, but also to talk with other students that are running radio stations around the country.”
To be considered for an award, college radio stations submit samples months before the Conference dates. The top three to five percent are named the finalists.
Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Student Media Programs, advisor to WXVU and advisor to The Villanovan, Catherine Coyle, shared her feelings regarding WXVU’s national recognition.
“I feel really proud of the station,” Coyle said. “This is my second year working with the radio station, and I’ve seen so much growth and momentum forward in this past year, that the management team of the station is very strong right now, and the students are really excited about what
we’re doing there. So, I was just extra proud to be there with the students.”
Szczepanski hopes to keep this momentum going.
“I think, for WXVU, kinda the biggest thing for us is continuing to get a presence on campus, continuing to make ourselves known obviously to the country, in terms of college radio stations, but also university, continue to get our name out there, that we do a lot of work around campus in sports, in news, just a lot of different things” Szczepanski said.
Now, the members and advisors of WXVU will continue their broadcasting work.
“I think, hopefully, this is a motivator for students to be even more excited to produce great radio content over the next year.” Szczepanski said.
Students were able to experience television and the film industry up close on set. Courtesy of Autumn Coard
WXVU took home two prestigious awards at the National IBS Conference. Courtesy of Villanova University
Dr. Camacho Gives 2025 Spring Humanties Lecture
Margaret Miller Staff Writer
On Tuesday, March 11, Dr. Paul Camacho gave the 2025 Spring Humanities Lecture titled “What’s the Point of Education? Love and the End of Learning.”
The event was held in Villanova’s Driscoll Hall and was open to the public, bringing together students, faculty and alumni.
Dr. Jahdiel Perez, an assistant professor in the Department of Humanities, was the host of the evening. Perez first welcomed audience members, including humanities students and students from various first-year student programs.
He also spoke on future humanities opportunities.
“On April 5, we are hosting our intellectual retreat,” Perez said. “It’s titled ‘Philosophy of Friendship: Human and Divine.’ And on April 10 we are hosting a Flannery O’Connor pizza and movie night.”
Perez also handed out a sheet of the Fall of 2025 course offerings from the Department of Humanities to all interested Villanova students in attendance.
Perez then introduced Ashleigh Reen, a philosophy and humanities double major, to introduce Camacho.
Reen described her experience as a student of Camacho.
“In his classroom, Dr. Camacho tries to awaken students to the wonder that is the beginning of authentic intellectual inquiry through encountering great works of philosophy, literature and art,” Reen said. “Rather than spilling out information he expects his students to recite, Dr. Camacho encourages each student to become an active participant in their own pursuit of the truth.”
Camacho began his lecture expressing thanks to all of those attending, especially his students.
“I am incredibly moved by the generosity of your presence,” Camacho said. “Tonight, and in the classroom, and in my life.”
He then moved to identifying the type of education he would be examining throughout his lecture.
Instead of one focused on gaining skills or creating a “worker,” this type is “something that the ancient Greeks called paideia. Paideia means a holistic education, it means learning what it takes to live as a human being.”
Camacho then illustrated that to convey the idea that “the point of education is to fall in love,” he would use The Symposium and The Phaedrus, two books focusing primarily on love. Camacho also used the 20th century philosopher Josef Pieper to elucidate Plato’s point of “divine madness.”
Starting with The Phaedrus, Camacho described
a scene between Socrates and Phaedrus. This conversation happened outside of the city walls, which represents the place of leisure, or “schole” in the Greek language.
This is in contrast to the “ascholia,” or business, that takes place within the city walls. This language use, Camacho illustrated, reflects that “the priority is given, in the Greek imagination, to leisure first.”
Continuing with the conversation between Socrates and Phaedrus, he illustrated the two main points illuminated-both of the one attempting to put reason, or a contract on love, and the other describing that there is “a kind of being beyond oneself, a kind of madness, that is not irrational or sub-rational but rather suprarational...the best things we have come from madness.”
Camacho then turned to The Symposium, which he illustrated as a combination of several myths of eros, or love.
Camacho described what he saw as the two most compelling myths in this book, those of Aristophanes and Socrates.
For Aristophanes, “eros” is a wound, “love is an expression of a lack, or a wound in the self...a longing for wholeness.”
For Socrates, eros is the “between,” not exactly “beautiful and perfect but something that seeks for what’s beautiful and perfect.”
Humans are similarly in the middle between ignorant animals and all-knowing Gods. He encourages them to ask questions and know how to ask questions, but not necessarily knowing all of the answers.
Further describing Socrates’ speech, Camacho explained Socrates’ vision of love “the purpose of love is not to get something for ourselves but rather to give birth in the presence of beauty.”
This pregnancy does not refer to a bodily pregnancy but rather one of the mind, producing something greater than itself: “We all have something good in us that transcends ourselves. The purpose of love, life, and of education is to bring this into being.”
Therefore, Camacho added, a good teacher does not give their students facts, but rather is a good “midwife,” helping students to deliver what they already have within them.
A good education is also one that trains the human desire towards something that is more fulfilling, training a human beings’ capacity for “eros.”
Camacho also expressed that education is intended to encourage better habits that create greater space for contemplation within a person’s daily life.
Camacho’s lecture was followed by a question and answer session and a reception in the lobby of Driscoll Hall.
OPINION
Kyle Neptune’s Exit is a Necessary Step Toward Success
Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor
Kyle Neptune inherited a seemingly impossible job. When he was named Villanova’s head coach in 2022, he was not just inheriting a basketball program but a dynasty built by his predecessor. Following Jay Wright, whose tenure included two national championships and four Final Four appearances, was never going to be easy. However, after three underwhelming seasons, Neptune’s time has ended abruptly because in college basketball, especially at a school like Villanova, expectations don’t and shouldn’t lower just because a new coach steps in. Neptune had three seasons to prove he could maintain Villanova’s standard of excellence. However, he simply couldn’t get the job done.
For Villanova students, faculty, staff and alumni alike, basketball is not just a sport but rather a culture that unites generations. Recently, Villanovans have been spoiled with success. In the past nine years, Villanova has had three Final Four appearances, two national championships, four Big East championships and six consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. This resume has accustomed Villanovans to greatness, and so when Neptune came in and did not meet that standard, fans quickly became angry.
Alumni and fans constantly voice their opinions about the program and shape expectations by doing so. Especially on social media, Villanova basketball supporters make their opinions known. And they were
loud about Neptune. Greg Greenfield (1996) is a Villanova alumnus but has been a fan of the program since birth. He has witnessed many different Villanova basketball eras, and while he acknowledges that this current era is “complicated” due to the new NIL landscape, he still believes that firing Neptune was the right decision at this time.
“The importance of this job requires more than what he gave,” Greenfield said. “The level he performed at wasn’t sufficient for what this role demands.”
However, Greenfield did not just blame Neptune for the demise of the program but also those who hired him. He acknowledged how hiring him was a gamble, as hiring a relatively new head coach was always going to be risky, but admits those in charge got it wrong and should be held accountable.
“They didn’t bring in a basketball god,” Greenfield said. “This wasn’t a lateral move like Jay Wright to Rick Pitino. There was a decent chance this was going to fail.”
Despite being relatively new to coaching, though, Kyle Neptune did not inherit a broken program. Unlike many head coaches who take over struggling programs, Neptune stepped into success. Villanova wasn’t a rebuilding job, as the team had made a Final Four appearance just months before Neptune took over the program.
The contrast between coaches was especially felt by seniors and recent graduates, who experienced the high of the 2022 Final Four appearance under Jay Wright, only for
it to be followed by three disappointing seasons under Neptune’s leadership.
Colin Beazley is a 2024 Villanova graduate who experienced the last of the Wright and the beginning of the Neptune eras. He attended and covered Villanova’s 2022 Final Four appearance against Kansas while then going on to cover countless games under Neptune’s leadership.
“When the team made the Final Four in 2022, basketball was one of the best parts of being at Villanova,” Beazley said. “And when Kyle came in, the culture within the program stayed the same, players still preached ‘attitude,’ wore the same wristbands and upheld Jay Wright’s values, but the way the University viewed the team changed. Results shifted and the team’s role in campus life changed.
Beazley describes how for many current students, Villanova’s greatness is just a story they’ve heard rather than something they have actually experienced. He goes on to describe the effects this shift could have, potentially on future Villanovans.
“I’m from California and had no East Coast ties,” Beazley said. “Villanova basketball was the only reason I even knew about the school. If I were in high school a few years later, I don’t think I would have known about Villanova the same way.”
While a lack of NCAA tournament appearances is a sour way to end one’s time at Villanova, current juniors, sophomores and freshmen have never even experienced Vil-
lanova in the “Big Dance.” Many students who chose Villanova were under the impression that they were joining a premier “basketball school,” a place where March Madness was a given. To truly be considered a “basketball school,” making the NCAA Tournament at least once during a student’s time here should be the standard. However, Neptune failed to deliver that experience, and releasing him was the only fair decision to try and find a coach who could restore the full Villanova experience for both students and fans.
Gabby Radford, a current sophomore at Villanova, said that basketball was not a defining factor in her choice to attend Villanova. However, she was excited about the basketball culture and was looking forward to having a competitive team for which to cheer.
“It’s disappointing that during my time here so far, we have never really gotten to experience that same level of success,” Radford said. “I’m hoping now with a new coach we will be more competitive during my next two years here.”
Ultimately, men’s basketball is huge at Villanova and a defining part of the identity of the University. Whether one is a current student, recent graduate or longtime alum, those with ties to Villanova crave success from the basketball team. Villanova is making the right decision by moving on from Neptune after three seasons and looking for a fresh start. However, Villanova is now tasked with finding a coach who will bring the University back to its former glory. This decision will be a defining one.
“The Villanova Way” Must Adapt for the Future to Bring Back Success
Katie Lewis Co-Sports Editor
On Monday, AT&T debuted a new commercial for March Madness. It features four Villanova legends known as the “Nova Knicks:” Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart.
The advertisement pokes fun at the New York Knicks trading DiVincenzo to the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, thereby breaking up the squad of former Wildcats. But its emotional appeal mostly comes from the nostalgia of Villanova’s 2016 National Championship, for which all four players were present, and some for the 2018 repeat. The March Madness commercial also celebrates a program that will be absent from the NCAA Tournament this year.
The unique Villanova brand is, undoubtedly, still prominent in hoops pop culture. But Kyle Neptune and the Wildcats struggled to deliver the wins to match the hype during his three-year tenure as head coach, which ended on March 15.
Villanova men’s basketball is at an inflection point of contradiction. It must move on from the past in order to bring back the program’s historical success. Neptune isn’t completely to blame for what ended up being a disappointing season. But the last three sluggish seasons suggest that
championships will only come Villanova’s way if it chooses to in some ways depart from a style that makes it hard to compete in today’s NCAA.
Expectations to replicate the legacy of his predecessor, Jay Wright, weighed down on Neptune from the start as head coach. Apart from a 2021-22 head coaching stint at Fordham, Neptune played a key role on Wright’s staff since 2013.
“I never focused on not being [Wright],” Neptune once told The Villanovan as he took the helm in October 2022. “He was a Hall of Famer, to me, the best coach in college basketball the last ten years. I would like to be a lot like him.”
While Neptune inherited a team coming off a Final Four run, he stepped into a college basketball landscape that looked increasingly unlike Wright’s team. Other coaches, including Wright, decided to opt out, but Neptune took the job just as sweeping change arrived.
Largely due to the rise of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and an unrestricted transfer portal, Neptune’s roster has looked dramatically different every year. Neptune sought out top players from around the country, who didn’t stay for long. 2023 Big East Freshman of the Year Cam Whitmore entered the NBA Draft after his freshman season. This year’s group will graduate some of Neptune’s best transfer portal recruits,
including senior guard Wooga Poplar and graduate guard Jhamir Brickus.
The inconsistency over the last three years did not align with “the Villanova way,” which drilled players into prioritizing discipline and dedication to the program.In the changing times, Neptune maintained the recruiting philosophy he followed under Wright.
“We haven’t changed our thought process in terms of recruiting [since 2021],” Neptune said to The Villanovan in November. “We try to recruit guys who we feel will fit Villanova as a whole, in terms of just our culture as a university.”
The most faithful returners, like graduate guard Eric Dixon, echoed Neptune’s commitment to maintaining the program’s culture and identity.
“There’s nothing really different [from when I started at Villanova],” Dixon said at the beginning of the season. “Our beliefs are still our core beliefs and still our core values. So I think that [Neptune] does a great job of keeping that the same for me.”
No university is immune to the new demands of NIL when it comes to maintaining a top basketball program. No matter how much Neptune understood Villanova’s system and cared about winning, the pieces didn’t quite come together. Despite tournament-level talent, Villanova couldn’t put together the competitive
season needed.
Villanova still benefits from leaning on its strong base of successful alumni to embrace the NIL era. General manager Baker Dunleavy ‘06, played under Wright, as did Randy Foye ‘06, who spearheaded the Friends of Nova external NIL collective. On the coaching end, assistant Mike Nardi ‘07 will take over for Neptune while the University carries out a national search.
The team is set to enter the 2025-26 season with a complete reconstruction: a new head coach, a new starting five and a relatively new athletic director, Eric Roedl ‘97.
“The job of a head coach has, in my mind, never been more challenging,” Roedl said in January.
Memories of previous success build excitement around Villanova but increase pressure on the instability in the current program. There is not a Knicks logo in sight in the AT&T commercial, while blue-and-white Vs surround the NBA stars.
The level of school pride and success that surrounded Villanova men’s basketball in 2016 and 2018 could be only a new head coach and some tactical recruiting away. The short-lived Neptune era might just be the bridge between the old “Villanova way” and a new strategy that fully embraces the opportunities and the challenges of unstoppable change, but in Villanova style.
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BROOKE ACKERMAN
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Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief
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Associate Editor-in-Chief
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Opinion Editor
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Opinion Editor
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POLICY
The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan
Sof Says: First Pluto, Now Neptune
Breaking news shocked Villanova’s campus last Saturday, March 15. Everyone remembers exactly where they were when they received the email. It was one of those moments in life that you will always remember. My generation has lived through a lot of life altering events, but I think this one holds a significant amount of importance.
Of course, this news affects the whole world, but there is a certain extra level of significance for Villanova. As we all know, The Villanovan was the first to break the news on Saturday morning. That is considerably cool. I am very proud of my editorial staff for having the network and capability to do something so cool.
Where was I when my colleagues were chasing down sources and writing articles at all hours of the morning? Well, I was sleeping. That’s not really my job. My job is to report whatever they tell me to.
Full transparency, I was also sleeping when the email went out. I didn’t lie earlier. I do remember where I was when I received the email; I was in my bed, fast asleep.
Eventually, I did wake up to the news, and, let me tell you, it was a real shock. I will never forget hearing the words “No more Neptune” from my roommate.
No more Neptune? What did she mean? How could this happen?
How could she say it with no emotion? How could I have slept through something like this?
When I asked how she found out, she told me there was an email from University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. Once I heard that, I knew there was no arguing. It must be true if Father Peter sent an email about it. I finally got the opportunity to look at all the texts I missed from The Villanovan staff and they confirmed it. No more Neptune. Plus, we broke the news. Good for us.
I still had questions, but sometimes asking questions just makes you look stupid. I didn’t want to be the only person who was confused about this news, so I kind of just went with what I was told. There was still one major question bothering me though: Why did Villanova care so much?
I mean, clearly, we cared
enough to be the ones to break the news. But, why? I know that we have an Astronomy major, but I didn’t know that it was that serious.
We’re a basketball school, not a space school, so why on Earth do we care about Neptune no longer being a planet?
It’s great that ESPN credited us with the news, but why did ESPN care anyway? I’m super proud of the editorial staff, but I really feel like NASA should have taken point on this one.
I’m gonna be honest with you, I never really cared about the Milky Way all that much. I definitely do not know all the planets or their order from the sun.
However, it did always rub me the wrong way that we dropped Pluto from our solar system. Like, I get that it’s not big enough to be a real planet or whatever, but I always
felt bad for the little guy. We could’ve kept him around. It’s not like he was hurting anyone.
I thought a lot of people agreed with me about that too. You always hear people talking about how they think Pluto should get its planet status back. If that’s the case, why were they so cool with Neptune being dropped now?
All I’ve heard since the news broke was how excited everyone was that Neptune was gone. I didn’t know everyone hated Neptune so much. It’s pretty messed up that everyone feels bad for Pluto, but when it’s Neptune, nobody bats an eye.
I didn’t want to ask any questions, but I did decide to research the ex-planet for my own sake. Neptune is a very nice blue color. It kind of reminds me of Villanova’s colors. (Perhaps this is why we got to break the news? Still unknown.)
I also found out that Neptune is the farthest planet from the sun. I guess it makes sense why we can drop it so easily. That’s super sad though. You can’t just erase a planet because it’s farthest away from the sun. That’s like no longer being friends with someone because they move. It’s messed up.
There are a lot of different opinions going around right now. Everyone has something to say. I’m sure you’re all waiting for my official stance on the matter, and I am happy to give it.
I say “Justice for Neptune.” I don’t like how mean everyone is being. I think Neptune was a great planet, and I’m sad to see it go.
Breaking the Stigma: Core Curriculum
Massimo DiLeo Staff Writer
Villanova has rooted its curriculum around the Catholic faith tradition that has existed for centuries, which creates a spiritual ambiance on campus for many. The Villanova experience is distinctive for many because of the multitude of foundational courses required for first and second-year students rooted in faith and the spiritual world. Although these courses are a great addition for many students academically, the institutionalized stigma surrounding core curriculum in higher education makes this aspect of the community unnecessary for many. However, Villanova’s core curriculum adds unique factors to the college experience.
All students must take an introductory class in either philosophy or theology as part of their foundational courses in order to
graduate. While currently taking Theology 1000, I have experienced many lectures that surround the idea of divine being and the Catholic faith. Although this is true, I believe these courses have sparked interest in many students, regardless of their beliefs beforehand. Many of these courses seem unnecessary on the surface, but they cover a much wider spectrum of spirituality that enriches the mind.
In addition, the ancients and moderns courses required for all first-year students at Villanova play a similar role. These courses are seminar-based classes that are very similar to an English class in high school where readings are assigned and then discussed and written about.
Although required, these courses allow students to transition into college as they provide a more intimate classroom setting as opposed to a large lecture hall. In addition, if students choose, they
can participate in the Communitas program, which allows them to live amongst their peers who are in their ancients and moderns class. Also, students in Communitas have the same professor for both the fall and spring semesters for these courses making the setting more casual as the year goes on.
This article may seem like it is overpraising something that is a part of all colleges, but this is not the case. A lot of Villanova’s core curriculum derives from its Catholic tradition, but it allows students of all faith backgrounds to think more deeply about themselves through reflection.
Introductory courses in theology and philosophy that are too often unavailable or unrequired for students, introduce new ways of thinking and are distinct to the Villanova experience. Students are able to reflect on the larger picture of spirituality and ultimate purpose which can
field the tough decisions that come with being a freshman in college such as declaring a major or professional path.
Villanova’s core curriculum is a vital aspect of students’ academic journey as it provides a well-rounded foundation that trains for success both inside and outside the classroom. These courses not only promote critical thinking, creativity and intellectual curiosity, but also foster a sense of community by bringing students together for a common cause.
By encouraging students to explore different viewpoints, Villanova’s core curriculum ensures that graduates are well-rounded thinkers equipped to tackle the complex challenges of our rapidly evolving world.
The courses play an essential role in creating well-rounded individuals who thrive after graduation, allowing them to suceed not only in their professional endeavors but also in life in general.
Kyle Neptune and the planet, Neptune, share the same name, creating potential confusion. Erik Quezada /Villanovan Photography
Zoe Schack Staff Writer
If you know me, you definitely know that I am LinkedIn’s number one proponent. What started as a requirement for a program in high school quickly evolved into a half-joking obsession: getting friends to join so we could add each other, editing my site for every update in my education or involvement and commenting “Congrats!” on my peers’ posts at every opportunity possible. Judging by the many requests to connect that I have received since coming to Villanova, it seems that I’m not the only one loyal to LinkedIn.
Villanova’s pre-professional ethos has definitely contributed to our campus’ LinkedIn culture. After all, by looking at the number of students enrolled in the business, nursing and engineering schools, it’s clear that many Villanovans, regardless of class year, are already thinking about specific career paths. This, combined with the emphasis that the University plays in promoting post-grad preparation, through career fairs, alumni networking events and other on-campus events, makes it essential to have a means of sharing resumes and contact information with relevant individuals. Therefore, aside from simply sending requests to fellow students we know and collaborate with every day, it’s not uncommon to use the app to keep
Juliana Burke Staff Writer
How to Properly Network
in touch with connections made that could get us somewhere in the future.
That being said, there are tons of great alternatives with unique perks that deserve some hype, so I will highlight some of the best choices for Villanova students.
Handshake is probably the site whose name is most familiar to Villanova students. It is mentioned from day one during Orientation and constantly referred to as a center for booking Career Services meetings, networking with alumni, finding mentors and getting opportunities in any field. One feature that I especially appreciate
is the weekly career newsletters that Villanova students, regardless of class year or major, can sign up for. Thanks to these, I’ve been able to receive information on what it’s like to work in different sectors, like government, nonprofits, communication and marketing.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting to use Handshake considering my major, but when it came to nursing externships, it was really helpful to be able to find hospitals all in one place,” junior nursing student Megan Le said.
Another popular alternative to LinkedIn, both on campus and in the wider professional world, is Indeed. It is structured in a similar
way to its counterpart: users develop a profile and, according to the website, can “find millions of jobs online.” However, while LinkedIn is more focused on white-collar networking and professional development, (think finding Villanova alums in one’s field or searching for engineering internships) Indeed is better suited for part-time roles that may hire quicker (like a serving gig at a local restaurant to make money over the summer).
Freshman engineering major Rachael Janos is currently using Indeed to find a summer job close to home.
“It can be difficult because a lot of employers don’t respond to postings,” Janos said. “I recommend also emailing them individually to confirm that they saw yours and distinguish yourself right off the bat.”
The last option isn’t an app at all, but a strategy that we might forget the power of in this digital age: going out there and networking face to face. It may be intimidating, since we’re more used to the streamlined, predictable nature of apps, but having these discussions in person can be invaluable.
Anything from getting involved with organizations on campus, talking to your professors about career prospects, or attending events like guest speakers or job fairs is a useful step towards meaningful connections with peers, mentors and future employers.
Villanova Women With An Impact
We dedicate not only the eighth day of the third month of our calendar year but the entire thirty-one days to honor the remarkable women who have made invaluable contributions to our world, particularly to Villanova University.
In recognition of Women’s History Month and as a belated tribute to International Women’s Day, we should celebrate Villanova women. Here are eight Villanova women who I believe have made an incredible impact on the Villanova Community.
1. Maria Bello (‘89) is an accomplished actress, producer, and activist who has made significant impacts both on and off the screen. Renowned for her performances in acclaimed films such as Woman King and McFarland, USA, Bello proudly represents Villanova University as an alumna. Throughout her successful Hollywood career, she has actively championed social causes, notably women’s rights and mental health awareness.
2. Emela Prokopik (‘38) served as a nun within the Catholic Church of Ukraine, inspiring Wildcats through her extensive advocacy work, particularly while leading the Basilian provinces through the transformative changes of Vatican II. Sister Prokopik, who passed away in 2015, is remembered for her steadfast dedication to the oppressed during times of considerable theological and historical upheaval.
3. Adrienne Arsht (‘66), an esteemed Villanova Law graduate, has achieved remarkable success in her career and philanthropic endeavors. As the first woman in history to work in the airline industry’s property, cargo, and government relations departments while serving as a prominent executive at Trans World Airlines, she broke significant barriers. Additionally, as the chairwoman of TotalBank, she oversaw assets exceeding one billion dollars. Reflecting her deep commitment to philanthropy, Arsht has significantly contributed to numerous causes, earning her a place on the annual “America’s 50 Biggest Donors” list published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
4. Maddy Siegrist (‘23) is a beloved basketball player who led Villanova to numerous victories, earning accolades such as “The Big East Scholar of the Year” and setting records for the most points scored. Currently playing for the Dallas Wings after being selected third overall in the 2023 WNBA draft, Maddy serves as an inspiring figure, demonstrating resilience and determination in her journey, particularly after overcoming a broken ankle that sidelined her during her first season with Villanova Women’s Basketball.
5. Margaret Robbins Garrett (‘78) served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy while earning her nursing degree from Villanova. In 2019, she received the highest honor from the College of Nursing for her significant contributions to quality and safety within healthcare, serving as senior counsel and prac-
tice group leader at Johns Hopkins Health System. As a dedicated Villanova nurse, she remains committed to cultivating the next generation of nurses equipped to meet contemporary healthcare needs.
6. Dotsie Bauch (‘95) is an Olympic medalist in cycling and the Executive Director and Founder of the nonprofit organization “Switch4Good.” Through her work, Dotsie embodies the values of Villanova, educating individuals about the positive physical and environmental impacts of mindful dietary choices.
7. Anne Roby (‘86), a distinguished engineer and member of the National Academy of Engineering, graduated from Villanova’s College of Engineering. The NAE undertakes impactful initiatives such as the “Ingenuity Project,” which promotes
understanding and appreciation of engineering among K-12 students and educators by developing valuable resources and programs in the field.
8. Diana Sugg (‘87), both a Villanova alumna and former editor of The Villanovan, earned a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for her medical reporting at The Baltimore Sun. Her compelling articles addressed complex topics ranging from stillbirths to sepsis, illustrating the intersection of technology and humanity in medicine—an endeavor to bridge the often challenging narrative between these realms in journalism.
As we honor these eight extraordinary women, we celebrate their achievements and inspire the next generation of female leaders, on East Lancaster Avenue and beyond.
Schack argues that LinkedIn is extremely helpful when networking. Courtesy of Shutterstocvk
Burke believes Maddy Segriest is one of the most influential Villanova alum. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
The Kensington Nightmare: Open Your Eyes
Liam Foley Staff Writer
I’ve always wanted to give an informed, prudent opinion about what politicians should do about Kensington, Philadelphia’s infamous drug-ridden neighborhood. If you’re unfamiliar, Kensington is essentially the city’s “ground zero” for the fentanyl crisis. It is located in the Lower Northeast section of Philadelphia, just minutes from the upscale and hip Fishtown.
However, I felt as though it would be unfair to give this opinion until I’ve actually seen Kensington in the flesh, not through the media. And so, over Spring Break, I decided I’d drive through the neighborhood to get a boots on the ground perspective.
As I drew closer to Kensington, I noticed my surroundings rapidly worsening. On the right side of the road, I passed a worn down recovery building. Its sign read: “Last-Stop, Recovery and Sobriety.”
I was unnerved. It was almost as if this was the final warning before I entered. For a person struggling with addiction, this was their last opportunity to seek help before they entered into the belly of the beast.
I kept driving and turned onto Kensington Avenue. Above me was a train line that ran overhead, essentially blocking the sun
from reaching the road. I had arrived. It was nothing like I’d ever seen before. Needles covered the sidewalks, and people lined the streets in zombie like states. Some were asleep standing up. Others took to the ground. I promise you, whatever you’ve seen on Twitter or through the media, is not doing it justice. The sheer amount of human suffering that was concentrated in just a few street blocks was overwhelming.
One man particularly stuck with me. He was on his knees, high, but almost in a prayer-like position. He looked like he was pleading with something unseen, as if begging for mercy from a force he no longer had the strength to fight.
This place felt like Hell on Earth. Not just a drug zone. Real, actual, Hell.
When I finally left, I drove away unsettled and horrified. Yet, I was deep in thought. No longer about my now meaningless feeling “informed prudent opinion,” though.
I wanted to understand why the mainstream media fails to capture Kensington in its rawest form. What I had just witnessed felt almost invisible to the rest of the world, something the media chooses not to show. They don’t capture the hollowed-out eyes, the skeletal frames, or the bodies sprawled across sidewalks like casualties of war.
Instead, they offer sanitized
reports, fleeting segments, and the occasional political sound bite— never fully exposing the unfiltered reality of what’s happening here. I realized the majority of Americans and local Philadelphians, like myself, do not understand Kensington as a result of this. Of course we all know about it, but nobody’s alarms are being raised to the level they should be, because if you had seen what I saw, you’d understand.
I don’t know why mainstream media operates this way. Maybe it’s because the real story of Kensington doesn’t fit neatly into a two-minute segment or a politically convenient narrative. Maybe it’s because acknowledging the full horror of what’s happening here is far too uncomfortable. Or maybe it’s because, deep down, no one with real power wants to claim responsibility for fixing it.
Whatever the reason is, it’s unacceptable. We, the public, need to be far more aware of what is happening in Kensington. Kensington is not just an abstract issue, or a distant tragedy, but as a humanitarian failure that demands our attention. The people suffering here are not nameless statistics. They are human beings, discarded by a society that has deemed them too far gone.
If we do not fully acknowledge the depths of this crisis, we will never have a chance at solving it. We need conversations, awareness, and most importantly, action. And it starts with those of us who
have the privilege of knowledge— students, thinkers, leaders and future policymakers. Intelligent, capable individuals, like those at Villanova and other universities across the country, need to be aware of this crisis in its fullest reality. We need to witness, study and theorize potential solutions.
I won’t pretend that I have the answer. I don’t know there’s one singular policy, one sweeping reform, or a perfectly crafted initiative that can pull Kensington out of its despair. We might need hardline intensified police enforcement, or a radical expansion of social programs. I truly don’t know.
But raising awareness is the first step. Nothing changes until we, as a society, are willing to face the full horror of what’s happening on those streets. Kensington is not beyond saving. The people there are not beyond saving. But we must be willing to see them first.
Brandon Buckingham, an unfiltered YouTuber who opposes mainstream media, made a video entitled “Life In The City of Zombies - Kensington Philadelphia.” If one is interested in seeing the raw Kensington, give it a watch. Viewer discretion advised.
Proverbs 31:8-9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
New Year’s Resolutions Need a Revamp
Betty Lundborn Staff Writer
For many, March is a month of celebration, Irish heritage and Spring Break. In addition to those very positive things, there is one thing that people do seem to struggle with during this time: New Year’s resolutions. At this point, if one hasn’t been able to commit to their goal, it might be time to re-evaluate.
For many, an issue appears when trying to find a goal that is attainable. Some examples of attainable New Year’s resolutions include: “I’m going to make my bed every morning,” “I’m only going to DoorDash once a week” and “I’m going to do my homework in Falvey instead of in my room.”
Some examples of unattainable resolutions include: “I’m going to go vegetarian,” (this person hasn’t eaten something green since move-in), “I’m going to quit social media” (this person has had Snapchat since age 12) and “I’m going to stop looking at myself so often” (this person is me).
Are you beginning to see a theme here? While attainable resolutions are small, sustainable changes to one’s everyday routine, unattainable resolutions are large, drastic shifts in one’s entire lifestyle.
This doesn’t mean that the intention behind these goals isn’t pure. I should really stop looking at myself in the mirror American-psycho style.
“Only if you follow through,” freshman Allyson Collette said when asked if New Year’s resolutions can be rewarding. “I set goals to start going back to the gym and to go to more concerts, which I’ve done.”
As redundant as it sounds, completing a goal truly is as simple as forcing oneself to do it. But before setting a goal, it’s important to evaluate what they would be willing to force themselves to do.
“Some people set a goal to go to the gym every day without ever having worked out before–this just isn’t reasonable,” Collette said.
When we use New Year’s resolutions as a way to punish ourselves or completely change our lifestyles, we greatly decrease the likelihood that they will actually stick. In addition to that, setting a long-term goal can be difficult when you have felt as though you’ve been stuck in a rut. Setting short-term goals can often be an easier, more realistic way to start off, which can be followed by setting some longer-term goals.
I propose that perhaps, instead of setting a year-long goal, begin by setting monthly goals. By sticking to something for just 30 days, it can be easier to continue the same goal past that time. In my experience, if I can stick to something for 30 days, the rewarding feeling I get at the end of that period makes me want to continue the challenge for longer. This is because I can first prove to myself that I can do something, and then
gain more confidence to continue that change and integrate it into my lifestyle.
This month, I set a goal to pick at my skin less. I thought that if I was able to achieve this for a month, that could help me attain my larger goal of looking at myself in the mirror less. I think that this will ultimately impact my confidence in a positive way and also allow me to think about my overall appearance less.
For other people, some month-long goals could include small changes. If one wants to try and save money, consider trying to shop in-person more rather than online as this will save money from shipping and also make it harder for a person to buy everything they see on their phone. If one has a hard
time getting out the door on time, try setting an outfit for the next day out on the desk before going to bed. Finally, if a person has had a hard time adjusting to college food, make a goal to go to a different dining location for dinner a couple times per week. This will challenge one to be more creative with meals and to discover new options on campus. Overall, while New Year’s resolutions have the potential to be pretty ineffective, it doesn’t mean that their importance is completely void. When done correctly in small, reasonable steps, resolutions can be easier to achieve than one would expect. So, this coming month, challenge yourself by setting one small goal that can help you get outside of your comfort zone. It’s easier than you think.
New Years resolutions shouldn’t be drastic but rather realistic changes for healthier living. Sophia Lutzker/Villanovan Photography
Lexie Scibilia Staff Writer
For the second time, I have been accused of using AI to write an essay. Both times, after I experienced extreme anxiety over an accusation that could jeopardize my future, my professors came to the conclusion that my writing was just good. One professor even acknowledged that AI detectors are unreliable and that some of the best students may appear to be using AI simply because they prioritize professionalism, clarity and strong writing—skills that we are actively taught to develop.
This is not just my experience. Many talented writers on campus have faced the same baseless accusations. Students who excel in writing are being wrongly flagged, forced to defend their own work and subjected to unnecessary stress. Villanova’s academic integrity policy regarding AI is failing its students, targeting those who should be acknowledged for their abilities instead of assuming wrongdoing.
Sophomore Cali Carss pointed out the confusion this policy creates.
“I feel like the AI part of our academic integrity policy is too vague, which leads to a lot of variation between teachers in how it’s enforced,” Carss said.
This inconsistency puts students in a precarious position, one in which their academic standing depends not on clear rules but on individual professors’ interpretations. Villanova’s policies are not intended to punish strong writers. The administration, faculty and student government have worked together to address AI’s impact on academics with the goal of maintaining integri-
Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer
Guilty Until Proven Human
ty—not discouraging student success. Villanova values learning, growth and excellence.
However, while the policy is well-intentioned, its implementation has led to unintended consequences. The permitted usage of unreliable AI detection tools and the assumption of guilt puts students in an unfair position.
This is a fundamental problem with Villanova’s academic integrity policy regarding AI: it assumes guilt first and places the burden of proof on the accused student. Many accusations stem from professors running assignments through AI detection tools, tools that, ironically, are AI themselves. Leading universities like MIT and Yale prohibit faculty from using these detection tools because they are unreliable. Even OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has acknowledged that all AI detection tools are unreliable. In fact, OpenAI pulled its own AI detection tool from the internet because it was too inaccurate to be useful. These tools have falsely flagged historic documents like the Declaration of Independence, The Communist Manifesto and the U.S. Constitution as AI-generated. False positives are common, yet at Villanova, students are forced to defend themselves against these flawed results.
Villanova claims it does not endorse a specific AI detection tool, but it allows them to be used as evidence in academic integrity cases. According to an email from Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Randy Weinstein, “The University has not endorsed or purchased a tool. We have provided guidance to faculty on AI and highlighted that these detection tools are not 100% reliable.”
Weinstein also noted that professors may ask students to verify their work by submitting drafts, comparing
it to past assignments or explaining their writing process, which is a much better way to handle suspicion of AI usage. Despite this, Villanova still permits professors to use AI detection tools as part of academic integrity investigations, creating an environment where unreliable technology can be a part of dictating a student’s academic standing.
The policy also offers students little recourse if they are accused of AI use, aside from a formal appeal process that requires significant time and effort.
“All students accused of an academic integrity violation can appeal the violation and/or any grade penalty that is assigned through their respective processes,” Senior Vice Provost for Academics Craig Wheeland said. “All student records are strictly confidential. If a student believes they are wrongly accused, they can discuss the matter with the faculty member and utilize the official appeal processes.”
Why must good writers endure stress and anxiety just to prove their innocence? In our legal system, the standard is “innocent until proven guilty.” Why does Villanova seem to assume the opposite? Why does the burden of proof fall on the student rather than the accuser? Why must I dedicate time and energy to defending work I have already spent significant effort creating? And beyond that— why would I use AI when I’m a writer for the newspaper? I love writing. I take great pride in my work. Yet, my ability is treated as a red flag rather than an achievement.
The most troubling part of this entire issue is that my work was questioned because it was well-written. Other skilled writers have faced the same scrutiny. Are we expected to simplify or weaken our writing just to
avoid accusations?
This policy creates a hostile environment for students and for professors.
“I feel like my professor is doubting my abilities,” an anonymous student said. “I’m uncomfortable in class now. Even if they believe my work is original, the fact that I have been accused at all means that bias may linger against my writing in the future.”
Meanwhile, professors who rely on these faulty AI detectors may be put in the difficult position of having to accuse students without solid evidence, straining their relationships with those they are meant to teach. AI misuse is a legitimate concern on college campuses, but Villanova’s policy on AI, or lack thereof, is not the solution.
Instead of punishing strong writers and relying on flawed detection methods, the university needs to reassess its approach. False accusations harm students, erode trust between professors and students, and discourage academic excellence. Villanova should not be a place where students fear their own abilities.
Villanova has the opportunity to lead by example by prioritizing fairness and academic integrity in a way that does not undermine student success. But until real changes are made, students will continue to fear that their best work may be used against them. I put this article through five AI detectors—GPTZero (10.75%), Copyleaks (100%), Quillbot (0%), Grammarly (5%) and Undetectable AI (40%)— and received five completely different results.
According to these AI detectors, I am simultaneously human, artificial and somewhere in between. It’s Schrödinger’s article, if you will.
Lent At An Augustinian Institution
Forty days. Lent is a 40-day period in which as Christians we promise ourselves that since Jesus gave up his life for us, we will give up our favorite soda or late night snack. It seems kind of ridiculous, right? Jesus made this huge, life-altering sacrifice and I am proud of myself if I remember to abstain from eating meat on Fridays. I have heard endless conversations between my fellow Villanovans, asking one another, “What did you give up for Lent this year?” and the answers are always the same. Also, no one seems to bat an eye if we all break our vows once or twice to indulge in whatever we decide to give up for the 40-day period. People need to stop fixating on what they are giving up, but rather focus on what our action of giving something up is symbolizing.
For years I have found myself giving up a wide range of things, from chocolate to Friends reruns. Every year, it seems as if the conversation of what I have given up begins as a question and turns into an opportunity to complain about how hard it will be to go 40 days without our chosen vice. However, coming back to campus from Spring Break this year and talking to all of my friends here at Villanova about it, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. We sit in Connel-
ly and complain about what we are sacrificing, yet in hindsight, is it really a sacrifice? Giving up Coca Cola but switching to Sprite? Deleting social media but downloading 14 new games? It seems as if we are exchanging one vice for another, or making a small sacrifice on purpose knowing it won’t affect us. I have been guilty of this, giving up something I do often but I am not super attached to, just to say that I gave something up for Lent.
Yet, as a student at an Augustinian institution rooted in faith, I find it comical the way that Villanova students have approached Lent, despite all of us being guilty of it. I have come to the realization that these small sacrifices aren’t there so we will become healthier or less attached to our phones, but rather to reach the importance of putting a greater cause in front of our wants and needs. Jesus gave up his life to save each and every one of us, people he didn’t even know and didn’t owe anything to. More importantly, Jesus made this large sacrifice without the expectation of anything in return. Lent is supposed to remind us of this sacrifice, so that we can be grateful for the ultimate act of selflessness that has saved all of us from sin. Our demonstration of gratefulness is to sacrifice something we care about, to remind ourselves that we too should live as Jesus did and sacrifice for something bigger without an expectation of any reward in return.
As Villanovans, we are rooted in community and push one another to be better, which is why during this season of Lent we need to hold one another accountable. We shouldn’t be complaining about what we gave up, or giving up something silly, but rather being grateful for the opportunities we have been given, like getting to attend this University.
“I think Lent is supposed to remind us of the sacrifices Jesus made for us and that throughout Lent even when we struggle whether fasting or giving up certain things it’s a time when we should turn to God and get closer to him through prayer which I think is important for college students because many times during the year students may feel too busy and make their spiritual life a second priority, so Lent is a good way to refocus our re-
lationship with God,” freshman Faith Malki said. Life is like an ocean. It is so easy for swimmers in that ocean to get caught up in the waves and lose sight of land when we begin to drift out too far. Lent gives us the opportunity to get out of the waves of everyday life and remind ourselves of what it means to contribute to something bigger than ourselves through sacrifice. There is nothing wrong with giving up your favorite snack or television show, but approaching Lent in a more meaningful way and contributing to that sacrifice is what makes the difference. In the end, Lent is not just about what we give up, but about using that sacrifice as a reminder to prioritize what truly matters and to live with purpose beyond our daily comforts.
From chocolate to Netflix, the sacrifices made during Lent remind people of their faith. Avery Chalk/Villanovan Photography
Celebrating Women’s History Month at Villanova
Leah Smith Staff Writer
Continued from p.1
Senior Kitty White, outgoing President of “She’s the First,” reflected on the organization’s influence and the significance of Women’s History Month.
“As an educated woman, I think the most important thing I can do is use my education to help others,” White said. “While Villanova’s chapter of ‘She’s the First’ is just a small part of a national organization that does amazing work, it’s still such an honor to contribute to such a great organization. STF has shaped my college experience by uniting me with other women who share my passion as well as collaborating with other organizations that do amazing work to help women across our campus and around the world.”
At Villanova, student-athletes balance rigorous academics with high-level competition. Whether on the basketball court, track or
lacrosse field, these athletes embody dedication, resilience, and leadership. Amber Derosa, a junior midfielder on the women’s lacrosse team, reflected on what it means to be a Division I female athlete.
“Balancing academics and athletics at Villanova is demanding, but it’s also very rewarding,” Derosa said. “For me, Women’s History Month is a reminder of the progress female athletes have made. Seeing young girls at our games, knowing they’re dreaming of playing at this level, makes all the long days and early mornings worth it.”
As Women’s History Month unfolds on campus, it’s a time to not only celebrate the achievements of women but also to contribute to the ongoing conversation. Whether by supporting women-led clubs, amplifying the voices of female peers or simply taking a moment to recognize the women in our lives who inspire us every day, March serves as a reminder that honoring women is an action, not just a date on the calendar. The work toward gender equality doesn’t stop after March. It’s a year-round commitment.
Love on Lancaster: For the Love of Questions
Maggie Fitzgerald Co-Culture Editor
There is a subtle art in asking questions without alluding to the real inquiry at play. For example, when attempting to uncover a potentially-serious boyfriend’s relationship with his mother, one must be sensitive to not reveal their cards. Instead of asking: would you consider your relationship with your mother healthy or is she overly involved and territorial? Try: how often do you call your mom? (Insert an unassuming and casual tone of voice.) You are simply asking a harmless question, not interrogating for potential red flags. The innocence of the inquiry must be maintained, or else the interviewee could be alerted to the true nature of your questioning. What must be avoided at all costs is the calculated answer that attempts to appease you, sensing the danger of a misstep and telling you exactly what you want to hear.
For most, it is easy to gauge a general sense of personality. By date two or three, it should become increasingly apparent whether they are funny or dry, outgoing or quiet, conceited or confident. That being said, there are things that take time to uncover. Dynamics that won’t work well, or habits that will prove incompatible. Nobody’s getting any younger around here. Time to cut to the chase. Here are four go-to questions for that maybe special someone but you’re not sure yet because you don’t actually know what they think about things you think are really important and you don’t know how to ask without directly asking but seriously guys if the answer is not acceptable there is no hope to help you out. Must I do everything for you?
1. What is your favorite family tradition or memory?
Family. The end-all be-all.
Whether you are intending on starting a family in the future or not, it is absolutely necessary to assess the familial dynamics of a potential significant other. This simple question can unearth not only their feelings towards and closeness to their kin, but also helps to paint an accurate picture of their priorities. While people can certainly differ from their families, or be absolutely lovely people without maintaining close family ties, all of the above is good information to have. Inquiring about traditions or memories is an especially effective method, as it doesn’t sound too many alarm bells. What could be more innocent than a good old family tradition? Little do they know, their long standing annual movie night is just the green flag you have been looking for to secure a coveted next date.
2. Who is someone you look up to?
So unthreatening. So unassuming. This question is perfect for
giving you an idea of not only who they are now, but who they aim to become. Oftentimes, we look up to those whose behavior we want to emulate, or whose situation in life we hope to achieve. Take their answer for what it is: a window into your future with them. No, I am not suggesting that if they idolize Bill Gates you are sure to live a rich and prosperous life. Rather, expect behavior and priorities that align with their chosen hero. If they say they look up to the Wolf of Wall Street, run. Run and never look back.
3. What would your dream birthday be?
I thought long and hard about this question. While you could venture to ask what their ideal date would be, I worry this would produce a fabricated answer aimed to please. We don’t want any cheating, just the good, honest truth. Inquiring about their ideal birthday is sure to get them talking, and about their favorite things. When deciding if there
is a future with a potential match, it is essential that you understand what makes them tick. A birthday is a day meant to be filled with an individual’s favorite activities, so take good note of what they choose to occupy their day. Their response can also give an indication as to whether or not they are capable of planning and executing a celebration, and with whom this celebration would occur. If they don’t seem to be a birthday person, potentially inquire about their dream day.
4. Tell me about your oldest friend?
Loyalty is so in season. A potential challenge for blossoming relationships is that the newness renders true tests of loyalty impossible. While coming in guns blazing with an inquiry about whether or not they have cheated may be painstakingly obvious, this question offers a more subtle approach. If you want to go right out and say that, be my guest. However, even a definitive no may not be a testament to their ability to be a lifelong partner. Inquiring into their longest friendship is sure to uncover their ability to maintain a meaningful relationship across time or distance. A continuation of a long term bond could also attest to their ability to waive conflict and navigate disagreements with someone they love. And, hey, while you’re at it, just make sure this isn’t a friend you have to worry about.
While these questions won’t touch on everything, they lay a good foundation for uncovering things that you just need to know, but can’t ask. These questions can serve as a necessary red flag radar, alerting you of potentially deal-breaking dynamics that you would have otherwise uncovered when it was too late for a clean break. So, whip out your most unassuming, innocent voices and get asking.
With Love.
How are you celebrating the important women in your life on campus? Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography
Time to ask before it’s too late! Consider popping the birthday question for an easy start. Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography
Heart of the Matter: The Luck of the Wildcat
Natalie Hyde Staff Writer
As someone with a St. Patrick’s Day birthday, I am convinced I was born with luck. And it is every year, as I blow out my candles, that I remember all the reasons I am lucky: friendships I can count on, a family who supports me and two places to call home. After asking Villanovans what makes them lucky, I realize maybe this place has a magic spell over it; seemingly everyone has a Leprechaun on their side.
Sophomore Marissa Mongiovi said her luck is simply “being at Villanova and having such a great community around.”
I’m telling you, this place was built at the end of a rainbow adjacent to a pot of gold. Mongiovi’s involvement as a Eucharistic minister with the Church has been extremely special during her time here, as she has found her people and purpose. The Villanova community and the friendships it builds are not to be understated.
“My roommate is my lucky charm,” Mongiovi said.
Junior Marianne Loriannde Sousa Rego traced her luck to a necklace.
“I have this necklace that even if I’m not necessarily wearing, I have in my backpack or near me,” Rego said.
She takes it out in stressful times and finds comfort in know -
ing it’s nearby. It’s a relatable remark, as I for one, would have to put my right cleat on first before every high school lacrosse game. Superstition has a funny way of clinging to a person.
Think you haven’t been blessed with the luck of the Irish? Wrong. That is the cold weather talking. Sitting outside in 60 degree weather, sophomore Steven Weeldryer, said that this St. Patrick’s Day, he’s lucky for, “the weather getting warmer.”
Every worry seems a little less bleak when it’s accompanied by a tan. Just sitting outside Conn is a dopamine kick these days.
Senior Mariana Beneti-Costa considers herself an inherently lucky person, and it is all in her mentality.
“I have a pretty positive attitude about things,” she said. “[The trick] is in the way you think about things. Even if you don’t think you are lucky, but something good happens to you, interpret it as luck.”
Clearly her strategy is working, as she just won a class ring for free. Maybe we can all take a page out of Beneti-Costa’s book to reap the rewards. I, for one, have decided to adopt this attitude and self-diagnose myself with “lucky girl syndrome.” Good things come to those who look for them. It’s just a little reminder to go along with our day of festivities and Shamrock Shakes.
Good luck, Wildcats.
Office of Health Promotion: Need a Nap?
Korin Kohen Staff Writer
The cat nap. A sacred ritual of every college student during the school week. Often unplanned, these moments of slumber can happen anywhere, from one’s cozy twin XL bed to the wooden tables on the third floor of Falvey. Though these moments of rest seem sweet and unharmful, they can quickly throw a person’s entire sleep schedule into chaos. That’s why understanding how to practice mindful napping skills is crucial, and Stacy Andes from Villanova’s Office of Health Promotion has some suggestions.
This past Wednesday, the Office of Health Promotion hosted its ninth “20 for 20: Focus on Sleep” workshop, a quick but efficient Zoom meeting where Andes debunked common misconceptions of sleep that are keeping students in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Many people believe that getting eight to 10 hours of sleep is sufficient, yet they fail to recognize that the quality of sleep is far more important. She urged that people remain consistent with their nighttime routines, as our brains recognize patterns and thus prepare the body for what is coming next. If one’s sleep is interrupted or inconsistent, chances are those hours are not doing much.
“Sleep is very connected to our emotions and mental health, and the more deprived we become, the worse we are at recognizing it,” Andes said.
Students may not even re-
alize the extent of their exhaustion, masking it with copious amounts of Holy Grounds coffee running through their system. Sleep deprivation doesn’t just make people groggy. It hinders one’s ability to manage stress, schoolwork, social relationships and fuels emotional instability. One attendee expressed their shock at a fact presented during the meeting.
“I always thought it was a good thing that I was able to fall asleep as soon as I got into bed,” freshman Ayana Finney said.
Finney represents a large portion of people who previously were not aware of the explicit signs of sleep deprivation. In reality, it’s a red flag that the body immediately crashes the moment it gets the chance to. Andes explains that the biggest factor in ensuring students are well rested is the 30 minutes before bed. She highlighted different habits that can either promote or inhibit a good night’s rest, providing healthy behaviors to be practiced within that window. Scrolling through TikTok or Instagram? Probably not ideal. Reading, journaling or even meditating are all examples of calm activities that will prepare people for bed.
Though she prioritizes fixing students’ sleep schedules, Andes recognizes that naps are inevitable for many college students. This is why she encourages strategic naps instead of hazardously passing out as soon as classes end.
“People should aim for short 30-minute naps to give yourself the rest you need yet not allowing the
body to enter deep REM,” Andes said.
This way, students avoid feeling groggy and can remain productive throughout the rest of the day. For those needing an extra boost, Andes provides a cheeky new hack that can leave them feeling refreshed even after a nap. She introduced the idea of a “coffee nap,” essentially where one drinks coffee right before a quick snooze, giving the caffeine enough time to kick in by the time they wake up. While Andes still stresses that the urgency lies in one’s nighttime behaviors, she understands that many students rely on naps as a lifeline. By remaining intentional and using them as a tool to recharge, people can avoid disrupting those critical eight to 10 hours later in the night.
For Villanovans looking to
improve their overall routine, Andes provided information about the University’s well-being coaching program as well as Thrive 365, a confidential online portal that offers additional support for students. These allow for personalized details about students’ health, enhancing those who seek out these resources the ability to manage challenges and stay on track academically, mentally and physically.
As the semester picks up and we get closer and closer to finals, it is easy for students to get swept into schoolwork and extracurriculars. Andes’ session served as a reminder that sleep should remain at the top of everyone’s priorities. Before thinking about dozing off while completing a paper, consider whether one’s sleeping habits are truly healthy.
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, consider reflecting on what makes you lucky. Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography
After a long day of class, nothing is better than a refreshing power nap. Korin Kohen/Villanovan Photography
Sophie Latessa Co-Culture Editor
What do you get when you cross Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings with musical storytelling? Bygones, Volume I: Jome’s Secret.
Written by Villanova student Will Kleman, this debut fantasy novel is sure to be an immersive reading experience. Kleman is a senior studying economics, with a minor in computer science, but he has always had fantasy stories swimming in his brain.
Bygones, Volume I: Jome’s Secret is set to be released in mid-March. Kleman is self-publishing through Kindle, so the novel will be available on Amazon and Kindle for students interested in immersing themselves in a brand new world of fantasy and musical adventure.
“I came up with [the story] around COVID-19,” Kleman said. “We do a lot of family game nights, and we were doing one one night, and the idea was to come up with a fantasy map and present it to each other and vote on the best one, and that’s where it all started.”
Once he got to college, Kleman continued to expand on his fantasy world out of pure enjoyment, building the plot and backstories of the characters in his free time. He became invested in the story, sharing ideas with his mom on drives back and forth from school and going to the library after class to continue writing.
His story takes place in a land
Magic Meets Music at Villanova
called Crybella, where eight clans reside, each with its own magical ability. Each clan also has its own relic, or sacred orb, called a bygone. These bygones are never allowed to come together, creating tension among the clans. The plot of the story revolves around two brothers, both called on different missions to help solve the mystery of the bygones and how Crybella can move forward.
The story has another unique element: Kleman has included seven QR codes throughout the book which link to original compositions that go along with the story. He comes from a musical family, and wanted to combine his love of music with his love of writing when working on this project.
“Over Winter Break and Thanksgiving my dad and I would just sit in our basement with our keyboard and just play around with sound effects,” Kleman said. “I would have him read a scene that I thought would be cool to have music in to enhance it and we would mess around and come up with something.”
He later got help from his childhood drum teacher, who brought in musicians to play the compositions
created by Kleman and his dad and allowed them to record the songs in his studio. Kleman envisions the compositions as atmosphere-setting music to go along with the story, best listened to either before or during sections they complement. The music is meant to enhance the emotions in the story and set the tone for the section.
“You can either do it to introduce the section or read along with it,” Kleman said. “Time it with how long it takes to read the section, so you can have [the music] playing as you’re reading or just listen to it to set up the mood for the section.”
In terms of the story itself, Kleman took inspiration from the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series when writing his own novel and creating the world of Crybella. He hopes that fans of these books will also be drawn to his work.
“I find it cool that they were able to create a world that people could escape and go to when they’re feeling bored or just want somewhere to go, so I definitely took a lot of inspiration [from that],” Kleman said. “I tried to make it like Harry Potter, how adults really like it but you also have
an eight year old who reads it and likes it, so that was definitely a goal when I was writing.”
When writing this story, Kleman always considered that he would want to write multiple installments, similar to the classic series he drew inspiration from. For those who will soon become fans of the book, Kleman has already started working on an outline for the second story in the Bygones series, which he hopes will be a trilogy.
“I kind of picture it as a trilogy, so I planned out a lot before I started writing what happens later on to set things up in this book so people would be interested to read,” Kleman said.
Though he plans to start his working life in sales, which he also enjoys, Kleman’s dream job would be to continue writing full time, as fantasy stories such as this one are a passion project for him.
“If it came to it where I was able to make a career off of it and a living I definitely would enjoy it because I definitely enjoy writing, it’s never me doing it as a chore it’s me just me doing it between homework or when I have really nothing to do and just want to have fun,” Kleman said.
Bygones, Volume I: Jome’s Secret is set to be released in midMarch. Kleman is self-publishing through Kindle, so the novel will be available on Amazon and Kindle for students interested in immersing themselves in a brand new world of fantasy and musical adventure.
VillaVogue: Eccentric Fashion Reclaims the Spotlight
Ciara Dursee Co-Digital Editor
Out with the old, in with the bold. Step away from the mainstream mania, eccentric fashion is beginning to receive the attention it deserves. Haven’t you heard? Unconventional and quirky are back in style this spring. I hope everyone’s been pinning their favorite outfit inspo on Pinterest – your time to shine is just about here.
Perhaps this whimsical method of dress is purely unfamiliar and to put it quite blunt, weird. As the world steadily becomes more reliant on the mindless scrolls through trending TikToks and addictive “Outfit of the Day” reels, it’s easy to fall victim of this mainstream hysteria where we shop the same looks, succumbing to the overused and worn-out clothing trends.
Sophomore Cassidy Neihaus agrees that these pieces are not only overdone, but sustainably unethical, “so many products we see in the media have a short lifespan and then we move onto the next popular piece.”
Neihaus believes it’s possible to incorporate the simple pieces we find and add our own personal flair to each outfit we create.
“I’ve had fun with my own style by combining my favorite buys with more classic and timeless pieces, making a good blend,” she said.
Even more, nowadays it is so easy to compare ourselves to the next person we see on our feed. It’s no wonder we struggle to step out of our comfort zone and dress for ourselves without thinking about anyone else.
Please don’t fall to this standard. I am here to help.
Eccentric fashion refers to an individualistic approach to daily fashion, expressing creativity and attempting to take unique precedence over mainstream trends. We may see various patterns, combinations of colors, and beautifully whimsical silhouettes. But oh honey, it does not stop at the items of clothing but grows stronger with powerful and dramatic accessories.
Neihaus describes eccentric fashion to be the catalyst for pushing boundaries when it comes to conventional standards of beauty, gender and style. Neihaus believes, “Unconventional fashion truly shows that anything made with a vision, passion and appreciation of art can be made beautiful, unlike the message in so much of modern-day media.”
In a modern society where identity seems dictated by surrounding pressures most days, dressing for joy can become a quiet act of rebellion. It’s hard to lean into this change of pace, expressing a reformed style that may stand out, but these pieces can transform your basic style to something uniquely yours. The possibilities are limitless. Below are a handful of pieces to inspire you. Let’s get started.
Beautifully Babydoll:
I can’t get enough of the loose, flowy silhouette that encapsulates the wonderful bounce of a babydoll top. The lace trimmed details, flutter short sleeves and cut short waistline fits the playful and feminine ensemble.
Fabulous Flats: Take a step up from last year’s
trend. Try a sparkly finish. A ballet flat embellished in rhinestones and sparkles is the ultimate game-changer.
Western Style Pants:
Before you judge this one, I don’t mean cowboy pants with fringes. Specifically, the pant is a wide-leg, mid-waist, vintage print with a casual wear. Shop Mifulan for the widest variety of premium vintage pants I’ve ever witnessed. From simple stripes to a paisley print, this online shop has it all.
The Floral Fandom:
A reoccurring staple blooming with new variations each year. Search Free People’s “Wildest Dreams Tunic” blouse for the adorable lightweight fabric and feminine trim.
Chunky Charms: A statement piece. The substantial charm necklace, adorned with various gold pendants and stones is a must-have from your local Madewell
or Anthropology.
Striped Trousers:
Add a touch of pattern to your wardrobe with a simple linen striped pant. These trousers easily depend on the context of how they are styled to be considered eccentric, but this versatile choice is a base line to any stand-out outfit.
Boho Beauty:
Easily one of the best categories to explore when looking to refresh your style and add a unique twist. Try the flowy fit of Lulus “Exceptionally Graceful Cream Lace High-Rise Tiered Midi Skirt.”
Patterned Dress:
Elevate your maxi dress collection as we dive into spring fashion. Bohemian wardrobe is fabulous inspiration for unique patchwork with intricate detailing. From floral to plaid, find a fun change of pace that works best for you.
The debut of Will Kleman’s novel Bygones,Volume I: Jome’s Secret Courtesy of Will Kleman
You can never go wrong with a simple ballet flat. Maggie Fitzgerald/Villanovan Photography
Villanova Alumni React to Neptune Departure
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
The years stand out: 1985, 2016, 2018. And 2025.
These are years that will go down in Villanova basketball history. However, one is memorable for a different reason than the others.
Former Villanova men’s basketball coach Kyle Neptune has been released from Villanova University a year before his starting contract has finished. Throughout three seasons at Villanova, he led the Cats to 54 wins and 47 losses.
Alumni from different stages of Villanova’s history have differing opinions on this topic, yet, the most common belief is that it was time for him to go.
Alumni Tom Mealdy, class of 1991, has three children who have also attended Villanova.
“Coach Neptune seems like a nice guy and has outwardly represented the University values appropriately, unlike many other programs,” Maleady said. “That said, he has had a fair chance and exceptional athletes and has not met expectations.”
Has the problem become that Villanova fans have set winning championships as a standard?
Edward Hastings was a player on the Villanova men’s basketball team that made it to the NCAA championship game in 1970-71. He now teaches Theology on campus.
“We had high expectations, we do have high expectations,” he said. “When that hasn’t, when we’re not winning those big games it becomes problematic.”
Former Villanova swimmer Jerry Quinn agreed.
“Everyone as a fan wants success,” he said. “We are so used to Big East championship wins, Big East regular season wins. We are used to making it into the tournament, and I think not making it, it’s problematic.
Later in Wright’s career at Villanova, not only did he lead the team to the March Madness titles in 2016 and 2018, but he brought the team to the NCAA tournament
from 2013 to 2022. During that period, Villanova won five Big East championships.
“I watched them win in 2016 and 2018, and then they went to the Sweet Sixteen my freshman year and the Final Four my sophomore year,”
former Associate Editor-in-Chief of The Villanovan Matt Ryan said. “Then, they went three years without a tournament appearance.”
Wright announced his retirement on April 20, 2022, and on the same day the University shared that Neptune would be assuming the position of head coach.
As of now, there has been no announcement on who will be the next head coach. However, many
believe the University will break the tradition of staying within the “Villanova family.”
“The men’s basketball coach has become such a like face of the University in a way and, like, they’re so public facing and they’re really a representative figure of the University as a whole,” former co-Sports Editor of The Villanovan Meghann Morhardt, class of 2023, said. “I think at Villanova like they’ve got to do something…and I think that they, they have to hire externally.”
Ryan agreed about finding an external replacement.
“There are no assistants that worked with Wright that have led a [winning] team as head coach,” Ryan said.
Many also agree that had these past three seasons been under Wright, it might have turned out differently.
“I think everyone kind of went into it optimistic, but I think as is natural when like any switch in leadership and any team, their little fans are a little less forgiving when things don’t go well,” Morhardt said. “If it had been Jay, like, if Jay had had a rough start to the season, I don’t think anyone really would have been that concerned. Like, it would have been, like, ‘Oh, they’ll figure it out.’ But I think people were a little bit more wary when it was the new system, new leadership.”
While the questions still linger on who the next hire will be, the pressure remains for whomever will assume the head coaching position.
Stonewall, Legacy and LGBTQIA+
Christopher Brown Staff Writer
To kick off Spring Break, a group of Villanovans had the unique opportunity to embark on a pilgrimage to the Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan. Housed in the same building as the historic Stonewall Inn gay bar, this monument honors the legacy of the Stonewall rebellions, the bedrock for the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. The group was supervised by Carly Pais, program specialist from Villanova University’s Office of Belonging and Inclusion (OBI), and Kiva Nice-Webb, the Campus Minister of Retreats.
“We both think it’s really important to experience some of the history of adversities the queer company has experienced,” Pais said. “And we don’t often see a blend of spirituality and the queer community, so we wanted to have an opportunity for those who are interested.”
The Stonewall Inn originally served as a haven for the gay, lesbian and trans communities. Everyone could dance, sing, laugh, drink and be accepted for who they were. On June 28, 1969, it turned into a battlefield.
The tunes from the jukebox that morning were drowned out by sounds of the police bursting through the doors, throwing bottles through the air, and slamming people up against the walls. Serving gay people alcohol was illegal, so gay bars were often run by crime families, and the police exploited
both to enable homophobic and transphobic atrocities. For the next six days, community members and their allies banded together for an uprising. They marched through the streets and protested for gay rights so strongly that the country could hear their bold message.
“It reminds me of how much those people gave up and how brave they were, and how much you benefited from their activism and standing up to power,” Jenna Kosnick, a first-year master’s student, said of why she took part in the pilgrimage.
Villanova’s pilgrims were amazed by the exhibits in the monument’s Visitor Center. The Stories of Stonewall details the legacy of the bar, chronicles the history of LGBTQIA+ advocacy and highlights important figures like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. A 1967 Rome AMI jukebox is placed before it, playing the same type of jazzy beats the patrons would hear over glasses of booze.
The Stonewall Generations video series shares the stories of notable activists who fight for justice today, such as Alok Vaid-Menon and B. Hawk Snipes. The Booking.com theater plays short films about LGBTQIA+ travelers and the friendly travel spots that they recommend. Articles, posters and photos were made into an eloquent collage by Parsons School of Design students. Journals were placed underneath the collage with prompts written on their spines that visitors could respond to in order to express their feelings. Reading them could bring even the most stony-faced
men to tears.
To the left of the Visitor Center is a recreational tavern modeled after the original Stonewall Inn. Most notable about this tavern are the displays of five Community Pride Flags: LGBTQ+ Rainbow, Bisexual Pride, Transgender Pride, Asexual Pride and More Color, More Pride. Each comes with a description of how it was created.
A park that pays homage to Stonewall’s memory with flags, stamps and statues is situated across from the building. Several of the Transgender Pride symbols are displayed there in resistance to recent erasure of transgender and queer identities in society.
When President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14168, the federal government enforced the notion of the gender binary by withdrawing federal recognition of transgender and queer people. The National Park Service (NPS) even shortened “LGBTQ+”
to “LGB” on its web pages.
“Hatred is a blinding thing, and it causes people to forget that other people live similar to them, even at a place like Villanova: we walk on the same campus, we eat the same dining hall food, we go to the same classes, we are all part of the Villanova community,” junior Marv McAnally, a proud transgender student, said.
Emotions varied among the pilgrims on the trip: happy, enlightened, bittersweet, impactful, inspired, angry. However, what was universal was a renewed understanding of their responsibilities—to create a world where the soul is acknowledged over all else.
Villanova offers multiple LGBTQIA+ resources, such as VU Pride, OASIS, NATS and the Counseling Center’s LGBTQIA+ Support Group. Further information about these resources on Villanova’s belonging and inclusion page on the Student Life website.
Alumni have a lot to say about Kyle Neptune’s departure from Villanova Basketball. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Students had the opportunity to take a pilgrimmage the Stonewall National Monument. Christopher Brown/Villanovan Photography
Supernovas Advance to ICAAs Semifinals
Lauren Armstrong Associate EIC
The Villanova Supernovas are moving onto the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs) semifinals on March 22 after placing second in the quarter finals on Feb. 22.
The semifinals will be taking place in Wilmington, DE, where the Supernovas will compete to move on to finals next month. The Supernovas will be competing against 10 teams across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland.
The last time the group advanced to the semifinals was in 2023, and in 2022 they made it to finals.
“We’ve been to finals once before,” senior Caleb Zettell said. “It is exciting because it kind of extends your season all the way to the end. Of course, it can never be an expectation because of how incredible all of the talent is.”
The Supernovas consists of 15 members, five of which are seniors. The rest of the group consists of three juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen.
Led by senior and President Bridget Duffy, the group has been working non-stop to improve and prepare for the next level of competition.
“I’m always thinking very strategically about, like, okay, how are we going to best spend our time and
Blair Hollyday Staff Writer
how do we motivate people and how do we make sure that they’re connected to what we’re doing and each other,” Duffy said.
The group has only had a few weeks to prepare for the semifinals, with Spring Break landing between the two competitions. The group traveled together over break to Boston and Miami, but spent less time practicing during that week than one may think.
“We were all together Spring Break,” junior Declan Mahoney said. “Which definitely helped us. We sang a little bit, but nothing too important.”
Showcased through their Spring Break and other trips throughout the school year, the key factor that sets the Supernovas apart is the sense of community in the group, according to its members.
“It takes a lot of hours to be able to put together the set that we want to,” junior Gavin Crozier said. “We spend a lot of time together just professionally, and so it is definitely a big benefit that they’re 14 of my best friends, and so, I don’t care that I’m spending time doing professional things because I’m having a blast doing it.”
Additionally, their social connection helps them to thrive on stage.
“When you are on a stage together, and you can lock eyes with somebody when you’re super nervous and you’re, like, hey, this is one of my best friends, I think it is a really powerful thing and it’s something that, in terms of success in the competitions has been great, but I think in more importantly it is really cool that I am able to share this moment with all these people that I care so much
about,” Zettell said.
The stakes are high for the semi finals, as only one of the 10 teams competing will advance to the finals. For Zettell, Duffy and the other three seniors in the Supernovas, this could be their last time performing on an ICCA stage.
“It is hard to put into words, because it is so easy to overlook what the group means intrinsically,” Zettell said. “I’ve talked to a couple of the other seniors about it, kind of often actually. It’s one of those things that you don’t realize what you have until it is almost gone.”
The drive to compete and keep the seniors in the game is a large motivation for the members of the Supernovas to compete their best on Saturday.
“It was obviously great for the seniors,” sophomore Lance Hoover said. “Their final year we could have something like this happen.”
The Supernovas will be competing a set arranged by Crozier, the music director, and choreographed by Zettell. The set is composed of “Still Rolling Stones” by Lauren Daigle, “Haze” by Amber Run, “The Fear is not Real” by Willow and “Who We Are” by Hozier. The soloists are Zettell, sophomore Gianna Angelone and freshman Olivia Rengen.
The Supernovas will be performing in Villanova’s A Cappella Palooza Friday, March 21 before traveling to Delaware to compete the following day. Tickets for Acapalooza and tickets for the ICCA semifinals can be purchased online.
CatAppetite: Holy Grounds Hits Spit
South Campus just got a major upgrade, and no, it’s not more Spit seating or new vending machines. There’s a new Holy Grounds in Donahue Market, and it’s already pulling in a crowd. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., it’s quickly making waves, mostly among the freshman class, but the word is spreading.
The new Holy Grounds has been buzzing since opening, mostly due to its prime location for freshmen, who are just a few steps away. But now the goal is to pull in more upperclassmen, who, let’s be honest, might be tired of sprinting to Commons only to find a line that is out the door. Donahue Holy Grounds wants to be the new move, and it’s banking on its specialty drinks and unique pastries to make it happen.
Let’s talk about drinks. They’re coming in hot (or iced), with four signature lattes that can only be found at the Donahue location.
Victory Latte: Double espresso with brown sugar and vanilla bean simple syrup, topped with cinnamon. It’s smooth, a little sweet and honestly feels like something you’d drink after acing an exam or surviving a group project.
Nova Latte: Double espresso with vanilla and caramel, topped with blue sugar sprinkles for a festive flair. It’s simple, sweet and guaranteed to make your 9 a.m. at least 20% more bearable.
Blue White Mocha: Dou-
ble espresso with white chocolate mocha, a pump of blueberry syrup, whipped cream and more blue sugar sprinkles. It’s like your morning coffee took a detour through a blueberry patch and came back topped with whipped cream and school spirit.
The Dance Latte: Double espresso with caramel and toasted marshmallow syrup, topped with whipped cream and blue sprinkles. It tastes like a campfire s’more met with your favorite caramel latte sweet, toasty and ready to power your mid-morning dance through campus.
At the moment, the Victory Latte is clearly the crowd favorite. Students are flocking back for its blend of brown sugar, vanilla and a dash of cinnamon. It strikes a nice balance between bold and sweet, making it a refreshing change from the usual vanilla latte routine.
Along with the signature lattes, the new spot has all the usual favorites: cold brew, nitro, chai, matcha, americano, cappuccinos, mochas, teas. And the best part? It’s all made with coffee from Golden Valley Farms, a local roastery in West Chester, PA. So not only are people getting their caffeine fixes, but they’re also supporting a local business. Win-win.
The creation of Donahue Market’s Holy Grounds menu wasn’t just a top-down decision. It came together through a collaboration between Andrew Camuso, Villanova’s Executive Director of Dining, Nicole Sites, Director of Student Experience, Holy Grounds baristas and Villanova students.
Beyond the specialty drinks,
Donahue Holy Grounds also distinguishes itself with rotating pastries exclusive to this location. Recent offerings included a blueberry white chocolate scone a fitting companion to the Blue White Mocha and a chocolate chip blondie infused with butterfly pea powder. The latter, a vibrant and trendy ingredient, adds both a subtle floral note and a pop of color.
And this is just the beginning. Plans are in place to expand the menu with additional specialty drinks and pastries, shaped in part by student feedback. So, if someone has a creative latte idea in mind, don’t be surprised if they see it featured down the line.
Whether freshmen are looking for a nearby caffeine fix or upperclassmen are aiming to avoid
the typical Commons Holy Grounds rush, Donahue’s location offers a welcome alternative. The vibe is low-key, the drinks are made with care and for now, the lines are totally manageable. It’s a solid grab-and-go option for those in a rush, but they can just as easily pick up coffee and hang out in Spit for breakfast with friends.
While freshmen may have discovered this spot first, upperclassmen are beginning to take notice, and with locally roasted coffee from Golden Valley Farms and exclusive menu items, it’s not hard to see why. In a semester that’s moving fast, one good latte can go a long way. Next time anyone is in need of a caffeine boost or simply wants to switch up their coffee spot, Donahue Market’s Holy Grounds is well worth the visit.
The supernovas are heading back to the ICAA semifinals after an appearance in 2023. Courtesy of Ally Szabo
Holy Grounds has opened a location on South Campus, serving signature lattes and pastries. Sofia Occttaviani/Villanovan Photography
V’s Up, Waste Down: Villanova’s Eco-Evolution
Sarah Butler Staff Writer
Gabby Mazzini Staff Writer
The push for sustainability is more than necessary now, and at Villanova, students are finding new ways to implement eco-friendly strategies on campus. We are proud to be leading this initiative. Our names are Sarah Butler and Gabby Mazzini, and we are working with the Villanova Consulting Group and Office of Sustainability to investigate and implement sustainability strategies on campus. Combining our passions for environmental science and economics, we are striving to enact sustainable changes on Villanova’s campus for a greener future. With our advice and strategies, you too can make an impactful change for the environment.
From here on out, we hope that Wildcats will represent green initiatives just as proudly as they wear their blue and white. With our interdisciplinary backgrounds, we have spent ample time researching various aspects of Villanova’s campus working to increase sustainability efforts in an economical way. Our integrated coursework, including environmental chemistry and environmental economics, showcases our research. Each week, we will shine the spotlight on a different corner of Villanova’s campus to highlight new ways students can make realistic changes to help reduce the campus’s environmental footprint. From LEED certified buildings
Natalie Manzo Staff Writer
and permeable locations on campus to sustainable resources like NovaNook and the Thrift Store, students will become more familiar with eco-friendly solutions that make up our campus.
We will offer both topical and practical lifestyle changes to help shift you towards that “greener” mindset. Becoming a leader
in environmental stewardship is a rewarding and simple venture. We are here to demonstrate how you can make this happen quickly and easily. Don’t fret: these changes won’t take away from your normal daily routine or be time-consuming. Rather, it’s often the smallest shifts in daily habits that ultimately have the largest long-term impacts.
For example: simply choosing a metal utensil over a plastic one is a quick fix, requiring no more than a second of thought. However, if done consistently for a year, the impacts are long-lasting.
Similarly, turning off the running water when brushing your teeth and remembering to hit the lights before embarking on your day of classes in Bartley Hall are other valuable ways you can make a difference; it really is that easy.
As a community here at Villanova, we have the power to see these changes blossom together. It’s time that students start taking initiative and lead the way in this sustainable movement. By following the steps proposed here each week and becoming familiar with developed sustainability practices on campus, students can make meaningful changes. Working together to embrace sustainability can help us to build a better way of life. Every step brings us closer to a greener campus and a world that is cleaner, greener and more sustainable for future generations. Let’s make sustainability a part of Villanova’s identity, and a movement of which we are proud to be a part.
So, time to wake up, Wildcats. The world isn’t going to stop turning, so it’s time that we start turning with it. Let’s use the same energy that we have when cheering on the basketball team to create our sustainable futures. Wildcats are not only leaders in their athletic and academic endeavors, but also in environmental responsibility. Let’s harness this skill and secure the health of generations of Wildcats to come. The road ahead is blooming green, and we are excited to take every step with you.
Fool’s Spring on a College Campus
This sudden flurry of outdoor activity is a stark contrast to the quieter campus environment that tends to take hold from December to February.
Gone are the days of sunsets before 5 p.m., long winter coats, hibernating and snow forecasts; Or are they? We’ve seen this story before. On the first warm day of spring on a college campus students shed their winter layers and perch outside to take in the sun’s warming rays, declaring that winter is finally over.
Eastern Pennsylvania experienced some warmer weather this past week, and Villanova’s campus certainly reflected that: students of all ages could be seen sitting in the Quad, enjoying lunch on the deck outside of COVA, or simply walking around Mendel with friends.
“My favorite part about the warm weather is everyone sitting outside and the campus being so full of people,” senior Caroline Daly said. “It feels exciting.”
Even the neighborhoods behind South Campus were buzzing with activity this past week. This area is a popular place for students and neighbors alike to walk and this recent spurt of warm weather was evidence of that.
“Campus looks way less deserted,” sophomore Sammy Valentino said.
However, looking into the forecast for next week, as the temperatures dip back down into the 40s, the question remains: Are we getting a real spring yet, or was this just a tease of warm weather to remind us of what’s to come?
Fool’s spring is the first stretch of warm weather after the winter months in which people think that the higher temperatures are here to stay. However, this deceptive period of 60 degree weather is often followed by what people call a second winter.
“I’m optimistic that spring is here to stay,” Valentino said.
Opinions differ on whether students think this is a real spring or simply a fool’s spring.
“I like that people are out of that winter funk and are more excited to do things,” junior Elizabeth Rivetti said. “I hope spring is here to stay.”
While we don’t know for sure when spring is going to be in full force, in the meantime we recommend dressing in layers
This brand new column will cover tips and tricks for living a more sustainable lifestyle. Sophie Latessa/Villanovan Photography
SPORTS
The Future of Villanova Basketball is Uncertain
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
Continued from p. 1
assistants have just a singular NCAA tournament appearance in 73 combined seasons.
What makes up a good basketball program in today’s era is funding. Villanova finds a lot of its money from donors. When a team is not living up to expectations it is hard for donors to justify giving more funds to the program. But there’s one thing that can’t be denied: the program needs to spend money to win.
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) plays a big part in spending money to win. Earlier this season, the Big East Coach of the Year, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, proved why NIL and the portal are such a powerful tool.
“This year we’re not even looking at high school basketball players, we are looking for three transfer guys,” Pitino said in an interview on Barstool’s Pardon My Take. “I don’t get involved in the financial negotiations, but if we need more money, I’ll call our guy Mike Repole (founder of Body Armor) to get more money. I don’t think you can win big with high school kids [in this era].”
St. John’s, under that mindset, is currently a No. 2 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and clinched the Big East this regular
season.
Traditionally, that is not how Villanova approaches its rosters and recruitment. It was normal for a Wildcat to stay all four years of his college basketball career at Villanova. Now recently, Villanova has slowly adapted to the changes of college athletics.
Villanova only signed one high school recruit for the class of 2025. The McDonald’s All-American Dante Allen signed his letter of intent with the school earlier this year. Due to a head coaching change, Allen has 30 days to decide
not to come to Villanova and look elsewhere. It is unlikely due to the fact Allen’s father is former Wildcat Malik Allen and the school is more than just a place to play basketball. It has a family history.
Three transfers – senior guard Wooga Poplar, senior forward Enoch Boakye and graduate Jhamir Brickus – headed Villanova’s starting lineup this season. Most notably, Villanova will lose the nation’s leading scorer, graduate forward Eric Dixon, due to eligibility. As Neptune and many other coaches noted this season, there are not that many people
who can replicate Dixon’s game or production.
It will take money and a lot of recruiting to find someone in the transfer portal who can replace Dixon. He scored double digits in 47 consecutive games and averaged 23 points this season. It comes down to hiring a coach to create a domino effect across the program. The wrong selection could pull further away from the program’s storied past, but the right one could send the Wildcats back to March Madness and again pack the Finneran Pavilion for watch parties.
T&F Collects Three All-American Honors at Nationals
Genna Cottingham Staff Writer
This past weekend, three of Villanova track and field’s athletes claimed All-American honors at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex at Virginia Beach. Sophomore Dan Watcke, junior Marco Langon and graduate student Liam Murphy joined an elite group of collegiate runners from across the nation.
On Friday, Langon achieved his inaugural first-team All-American title in the 5K finals. The junior placed sixth, running the second best time of his career at 13:13.16.
With a time of 13:23.91 in the 5K, fifth-year Murphy fell short and finished outside the top 10 in 11th place. Murphy was favored to finish on the podium in the lead up to the event. However, he struggled throughout the race to reach his usual pace.
“I think that set the tone,” head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “It was a struggle for [Murphy] right after the race to kind of get himself back on track for the following day, you know, emotionally.”
Murphy and Langon are the first pair of Wildcats since 1995 to reach the podium in the same indoor event in a single season.
Watcke ran in the preliminary heats of the 800-meter race. In the last lap he had a huge kick to grab the last spot in the finals. Watcke managed to reach third place in his heat and fifth overall in his first career nationals race.
“It was kind of a roller coaster, but I think it all ended up pretty well,” O’Sullivan said. “And the roller coaster meaning, you know, with 100 [meters] to go on the heats, Dan Watcke was not making the final at all. And then there was a fall in front of him, and he took advantage of the fall to put himself into a really good position to make the final.”
On Saturday night, Watcke dug deep to place fifth in the 800-meter finals with a time of 1:47.22. Watcke is the current school record holder of the 800m at 1:46.32 after he set it at the Penn State Open in February. Langon and Murphy also returned to the track on Saturday night to run the 3K. Langon ran 15 laps in 7:54.25 to get seventh place overall. Murphy overcame the emotions of his tough race on Friday to reach fourth at 7:53.38 in the 3K. Murphy showcased his growth as an athlete to prevail in the mental and physical battle of the day before.
“I think you end up learning an awful lot about yourself through the adversity of disappointment,” O’Sullivan said. “And you start to realize how resilient you can become and how you can put it behind you and move on.”
Three Villanova runners at nationals hold a combined total of nine school records and 13 All-American titles. This year, Villanova placed 19 out of 56 teams. Last year, the Wildcats achieved the same ranking after Murphy, Langon and Sean Dolan (‘24) ran for Villanova.
This past summer, Watcke went to the World U20 Championships in Peru to compete in the 800-meter. In the same summer, Murphy made it to the finals of the Olympic trials for the mile and was barely six seconds behind to become an Olympic qualifier.
“That’s all part of growing in life in general, but it’s definitely part of growing in sport,” O’Sullivan said. “And you get ample opportunities to be able to practice that skill. Then once you start practicing it, and you can do it once or twice, you start to realize you can do it often.”
Saturday, March 20, will kick off the outdoor track season at Penn’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia. Murphy and Langon will be taking necessary time to rest this weekend. However, Watcke is set to run the 800 meters for Villanova.
Kyle Neptune’s head coaching stint came to an end after a 70-63 record. Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Murphy & Langon are the first duo since 1995 to reach the podium in the same event in the same season. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Women’s Club Hockey Captures Fourth Championship
Casey Healey Staff Writer
This past weekend, Villanova women’s club ice hockey (WICE) secured its fourth championship cup in a row in the Delaware Valley College Hockey Conference. The team defeated Liberty University, 3-2, on March 2 at the Centre Ice Rink.
Now, the members of WICE are preparing to make the trip to the American College Hockey Association national tournament. The Wildcats will compete from March 21 to the 25 in St. Louis.
WICE is a member of the Division II Delaware Valley College Hockey Conference, which is a division of the American College Hockey Association.
The Wildcats were seeded at No. 3 heading into the conference tournament, making the win even more rewarding. In the 2024 season, they won the DVCHC as the No. 1 seed.
“I think this year was better for me personally,” senior captain Jasmine Masino said. “Because it wasn’t like we were the number one seed.”
Villanova is currently seeded third in the National Tournament. Two other members of the DVCHC, Liberty and the Naval Academy, will also travel to St. Louis to compete.
The Wildcats are guar-
anteed the first three games. Villanova will face Wisconsin on Friday, Liberty on Saturday and Mercyhurst on Sunday. In order to advance to the semifinal, Villanova needs to win all three games within its pool. Rankings are based on conference tournament playoff seeding.
Villanova has traveled to St. Louis for the last few seasons to play in the national tournament, but did not advance as far as they would have liked to.
“This year we are planning on making it pretty far,” Masino said. “We’re confident in our team, we’re confident in our pool.”
The players are willing to do what it takes to make it to the final four, even if it means missing class. Since WICE is a club sports team, the players follow Villanova’s regular student attendance policies. Along with that, the team’s rink is a 40-minute drive away. Practices are held outside of class times, around 6 a.m. or 9:30 p.m., with games and travel on the
weekends.
“We find a way to make it work, because not only is playing as a team important to us,” Masino said. “But also the environment and people.”
Women’s club ice hockey has come a long way since its founding in 2006. WICE qualified for its first National Tournament in 2022, and has made three more since then. Additionally, WICE has been named Villanova Club Sports Team of the Year five times, starting in 2014, and also earned two community service awards.
The WICE roster includes players from all over the country, with players from states such as Illinois, Wisconsin and Vermont.
The team even does some informal recruiting, with players reaching out to potential players to spark interest. Players are admitted based on academic standards.
“We like to see everyone get involved,” Masino said. “We all support each other, and we all like to win.”
Water Polo Goes
Madison Hodges Staff Writer
Villanova water polo started off Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play going 2-1 this past weekend at the VMI-MAAC Showcase in Lexington, VA.
Villanova (15-7, 2-1 MAAC) lost to Mount St. Mary’s, 10-9, on Saturday, March 15. It then defeated Siena College, 18-14, and Virginia Military Institute (VMI), 20-10, in back-to-back games on Sunday, March 16.
“We played well, but did not play to our full potential,” head coach Michael Gordon said. “We need to tighten some things up both offensively and defensively and make plays down the stretch in these conference games.”
The MAAC opener between Villanova and Mount St. Mary’s resulted in a tough loss despite a fierce defensive effort.
Freshman goalie Rachel Stephens, the reigning Co-MAAC Defensive Player of the Week, recorded a career-high 12 saves. Meanwhile, junior utility player Sara Withers made history by surpassing 100 career assists, becoming only the seventh player in program history to reach this milestone.
Freshman attacker Riley Hull had a fantastic five-goal game, but the Wildcats could not defeat the Mountaineers, who countered each of Villanova’s attacks.
Both sides traded goals in the first quarter, which ended in a tie at two goals each. The Mountain-
WEEKLY SCOREBOARD
March 12 - March 18
Wednesday, March 12
Men’s Basketball vs Seton Hall 67-55 W
Swim @ NCAA Nationals No team scoring
Men’s Tennis vs Nichols 7-0 W
Women’s Lacrosse vs Lafayette 16-5 W
Baseball vs Monmouth 6-11 L
Softball vs Monmouth 10-5 W
Thursday, March 13
Men’s Basketball vs UConn 56-73 L
Women’s Swim @ Pittsburgh 121.5-176.5 L
Friday, March 14
Men’s Tennis vs Butler 0-7 L Baseball vs NJIT 2-1 W
Softball vs Creighton 3-2 W
Saturday, March 15
Water Polo vs Mount St. 9-10 L
Softball vs Creighton 5-4 W
Baseball vs NJIT 3-13 L
Men’s Lacrosse @ #20 St. Joe’s 8-12 L
2-1 Over the Weekend
eers scored a goal, while freshman attacker Layla Canales and Hull scored two goals for the Wildcats.
In the second quarter, Hull found the back of the net twice, completing her hat trick. But the Wildcats were unable to score again for the rest of the game.
Mount St. Mary’s capitalized, scoring four goals to lead, 6-4, at the half.
Junior center Ella Mattocks scored twice in the first 1:35 of the third quarter to even the score at six. But the Mountaineers took back control and increased their lead to two by the end of the period.
Hull notched her fourth and fifth goals of the day at the start of the fourth quarter, which tied the game, 9-9. But with 1:27 remaining, Anita Radaelli from Mount St. Mary’s managed to put one in the net, securing the game-winning goal.
“[Even though we lost] our coach is really great about when we lose, we really use it as an opportunity to build off of our abilities and see what we can do better in the future,” Mattocks said. “As a team we do a really good job at not dwelling on a loss and talk about the things we could do better.”
The following day, the Wildcats regrouped and won their first conference game of the season, defeating Siena.
The Wildcats’ offensive efficiency was front and center as they shot an outstanding, 18-for26 (.692%). Stephens’ desperate attempt at the end of the second quarter kept Siena’s goalie to just
one save in the first half.
Junior attacker Anna Painter and Hull scored 10 of Villanova’s 18 goals, spearheading the scoring surge. With seven of their goals coming in the second half, Painter scored a career-high five goals.
With goals from Withers, Mattocks and two from senior center Emily McKenzie, Villanova came out on top, scoring four of the first five goals. The Wildcats led, 6-3, at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Siena outscored Villanova, 5-4. In the second quarter, Siena fought hard and outscored Villanova, 5-4. Nevertheless, Painter and Hull maintained their offensive authority, giving the Wildcats a 10-8 lead at halftime.
Painter, Mattocks, and Hull all scored goals as the Wildcats opened the game with a 4-1 run in the third quarter. The lead was increased to 14-11 when sophomore attacker Tiffany Maguire scored.
With a convincing victory over Virginia Military Institute to close the weekend, the Wildcats earned their second MAAC victory of the season. The Wildcats’ 20goal game was their highest-scoring performance since defeating Salem University on March 9, 2024.
The Wildcats had 11 different players from all over the roster help to contribute, including seven with multiple goals.
Hull and Mattocks led the way with three goals apiece. For the fourth time this season, the Wildcats’ bench was cleared, and every active Villanova player got to play.
In the first three minutes of
Women’s Lacrosse vs Columbia 12-8 W
Track & Field @ NCAA Championships 19 out of 59
Sunday, March 16
Water Polo vs Siena 18-4 W
Softball vs Creighton 10-7 W
Baseball vs NJIT 10-3 W
Water Polo @ VMI 20-10 W
the first quarter, both teams traded goals, tying it, 2-2. But the Wildcats answered with a three goal run making it 6-2. Villanova opened up the second quarter and continued building on its lead by scoring six unanswered goals to take a 12-2 lead.
With goals from Painter and sophomore center Lauren Short, Villanova led 13-3 coming out of halftime. Six of Villanova’s final seven goals were scored by freshman, including freshman center Charlotte Summe, scoring her first collegiate goal.
Freshman attacker Catharine McCann, capped off Villanova’s performance with the Wildcats’ 20th goal.
Following Allyson Gillespie, who led the team to consecutive seasons with 15 or more wins in 1999 and 2000, Gordon became the second coach in program history to record multiple seasons with 15 or more wins.
On March 22, The Wildcats will return to take on LIU. They will then face Wagner College and La Salle University on March 23.
Professors in the College of Liberal Arts collaborate over DEI course ideas. Courtesy of @novawhokcey on Instagram
Wildcat Watch: Maddie Burke Reflects on Villanova
Amanda McKean Sports Columnist
As Villanova heads into its final competition of the season at the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) on Thursday, the team is preparing to say goodbye to graduate guard Maddie Burke.
Burke’s leadership on and off the court will leave a lasting mark on the future players in the program.
“Maddie Burke is tremendous in her attitude and commitment,” head coach Denise Dillon said after Villanova defeated Marquette in the Big East quarterfinal on March 8. “She shows up to every practice as if she’s a freshman and it’s contagious. Every day [her teammates] are following that lead.”
Though the Wildcats would eventually fall to the University of Connecticut in the semifinal of the Big East Tournament, Burke’s lightsout performance against Marquette proved to be one of her best. She earned a career-high 18 points with five three-pointers to help Villanova advance in the postseason season.
Though Burke’s presence on the team has become vital, she initially committed and competed for the Pennsylvania State University for her first two years, before transferring to Villanova as a junior.
“I’ve always loved Villanova,” Burke said. “When the recruiting process started, it was overwhelming. I was super young, so I didn’t really know what I was doing,
but I also was a huge Penn State fan. But when [Dillon] got the job here, I was like ‘dang,’ because she’s a legend in Philly basketball. I did enjoy my time at [Penn State] and I learned a lot, but once I got here, it felt like home.”
Arriving at Villanova in the fall of 2022, Burke joined the team during a peak period. She joined a roster of influential players like Kaitlyn Orihel, Bella Runyan and Brooke Mullin. Burke also played alongside Big East and Villanova all-time leading scorer Maddy Siegrist during her historic last campaign as a Wildcat.
“I remember getting open arms from everybody I grew up playing against, and with like [Runyan] and [Orihel],” Burke said. “I used to work out with [Mullin] in middle school and high school. We were all just kind of acquaintances, and then we called and came together. My roommates were Kylie Swider, Mad-
dy Siegrist, and Brooke Mullin, and they’re still some of my best friends.”
In her first season at Villanova, Burke led the team in three-pointers made, with 69. This season, she stands in second, just behind sophomore guard Maddie Webber at 47.
Apart from her standout shooting abilities, this season Burke emerged as one of the leaders of the team. Along with Orihel, her longevity and steady presence were a necessity as the team rebuilt in the summer and fall.
Burke made the decision to return for a fifth year while the team welcomed in four new players through the transfer portal and three freshmen.
Freshman guard and leading scorer Jasmine Bascoe is one player who credits Burke for helping her transition to the Villanova program.
“Coming here in the summer, Burke was very open with me right
from the jump,” Bascoe said after the Marquette win. “She’s always the loudest on the court. We always hear her. And off the court too. I just know I have support.”
Burke looks back on her earliest days as a Wildcat while mentoring the newcomers.
“Coming in, I was the person leaning on [Siegrist] or [Runyan] just to get acquainted here,” Burke said. “Being able to learn from what they taught me and apply it is really special. I remember being a transfer and being a freshman. Your head is spinning, you’re on a new campus, and you’re with a whole new group.”
Watching Siegrist and Runyan allowed Burke to find how to find calmness under the pressure of the lights on the hardwood.
“Every game is super competitive and intense, but look to have fun, especially towards the end of the year,” Burke said. “It’s towards the end of my college career as well, and it’s a really special, fun group. So I just try to make sure everybody is good, and then when I get my opportunities, I take advantage of them.”
Earning her master of education in May, Burke intends to become a teacher in the future. Until then, she is focused on her last remaining games and soaking in her remaining time on the court.
“When I think of coming home, I think of Villanova,” Burke said. “I feel at home around these people. [Coach Dillon], the players and the staff are going to be in my life for a long time. It’s a family.”
The Possible Canidates for MBB Next Head Coach
Dylan Johnson Co-Sports Editor
After parting ways with Kyle Neptune, Villanova has the task at finding a new head coach to guide the program back to success.
“A national search for the next leader of Villanova men’s basketball will begin immediately, and we look forward to sharing more information when an appointment is finalized. Until then, Mike Nardi ‘07 VSB, will serve as the interim head coach,” University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. said in a statement released on March 15.
Villanova has the opportunity with this new coaching hire to revitalize a program that once was a constant contender in college basketball.
Before Neptune took over the program in 2022, former coach Jay Wright created the brand that Villanova basketball is still known for to this day. The program still has the identity Wright left behind despite Neptune’s struggles on the court.
That is what makes the head coaching job at Villanova desirable. The program has the money to combat the new world of college basketball with Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
This coaching decision has drastic implications on the future of Villanova basketball and it is one that Father Peter and Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric Roedl will not take lightly.
Who exactly is a realistic suitor to take over the Villanova head men’s basketball coaching job?
Below is a list of four possible candidates Villanova could realistically pursue.
Chris Collins
Villanova needs someone with a winning resume. The best hire for the program at this time is someone with experience. This is not a time to let someone get their head start in coaching college basketball.
Collins is the current head coach at Northwestern and has posted a 194-190 record there. The team missed out on the NCAA Tournament this season. However, it made it the last two consecutive seasons.
The Wildcats finished with a 17-16 this season under the direction of Collins.
While Collins has only led Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament three times in his twelve seasons at the helm, the team is in the Big 10 conference. If he possesses the ability to handle the coaching pressures of college basketball, it would be much easier to win in the Big East conference, compared to the Big 10.
Collins would also benefit from better NIL funding if he were to end up on the Main Line.
Richard Pitino
Pitino is the current head
coach at New Mexico. By now, this last name is well known in the Big East because Richard’s father is St. John’s head coach, and Big East Coach of the Year, Rick Pitino.
Pitino was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year this season after guiding the Lobos to a 25-6 regular season record. It was enough to make New Mexico regular season champions of the Mountain West.
The Lobos lost in their conference tournament semifinals, 72-69, to Boise State.
Throughout his 13-year head coaching career, Pitino has a 246-185 record (.571) across three programs. With the 42-year-old Pitino, New Mexico made its second straight NCAA Tournament. Villanova could pick up a young head coach with documented success.
Porter Moser
A head coach with 21 years of experience is what Villanova needs to get back on track. With two decades worth of leading four different college basketball teams comes a 367-300 (.550) record. Moser is the head men’s basketball coach at Oklahoma. In their first season in the SEC this year, the Sooners made the NCAA Tournament this season for the first time since the 2020-2021 season.
During Porter’s time at Loyola Chicago, he led the team to a Final Four appearance in 2018. It was just the fourth 11-seed to make a Final Four appearance in college
basketball history.
Loyola Chicago also reached its highest rated KenPom metric ranking in 2021 with Porter in charge. The Ramblers finished ninth overall on KenPom’s advanced metric system while ranking number one in defense efficiency.
He has displayed he can turn around programs and one could argue he turned around a program that was struggling far more than Villanova.
Malik Allen
Depending on how deep Villanova wants to search, it could take its search to South Beach.
Allen is a former Wildcat, which could be the wrong direction to go in if you want to stay away from hiring within the “family.”
Allen’s son, Dante, is Villanova’s lone commit for this upcoming freshman class.
It is possible Allen would not mind having the father-son duo pair up to play possibly four years of Villanova basketball.
Traditionally, the University likes familiar hires. It means that they understand the Augustinian values, the way Villanova presents itself and it is one less thing the school must teach a new coach.
He currently serves as an assistant in the NBA for the Miami Heat.
Allen probably will not be at the top of the list, but with a decision that could decide the fate of the program, no one can be crossed off the list.
The main entrance of Minella’s diner is pictured at its location in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Courtesy of Minella’s Diner
Softball Sweeps Creighton at Home
Jon Hunn Staff Writer
After handling Monmouth, 10-5, in a mid-week tune-up, Villanova softball swept Creighton this past weekend.
The Wildcats (12-13, 4-2 Big East) defeated the Bluejays (11-12, 1-5) at home with scores of 3-2, 5-4 and 10-7.
The Wildcats opened the series with a walk-off 3-2 victory on Friday afternoon.
The Bluejays plated the first runs of the weekend in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single and a sacrifice fly to go up, 2-0.
The Wildcats’ offense struggled for five innings, managing just one hit. With one out, sophomore DP Maranda Runco stepped up as the tying run and hit a fly ball to left-center.
A collision between the fielders left the ball on the turf, allowing Runco to race around the bases for a game-tying inside-the-park home run.
Neither team scored in the seventh inning, and sending the game into extra innings, 2-2.
Villanova junior pitcher Kat Gallant set down the Bluejays in order in the eighth to keep the tie preserved for the home half.
Wildcats junior second baseman Maddie Burrows lined a one-out double to get into scoring position, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Junior pinch hitter Lilly St. Jean followed with a walk, putting runners
on the corners. After senior shortstop Ava Franz struck out, Runco delivered the game-winning hit. She sent a single into left-center field to bring home Burrows and secure the walkoff victory.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth and runners on second and third, Runco lined a base hit to left field to secure the walk-off victory. Gallant recorded the win, pitching a complete game. In 8.0 innings, she allowed seven hits and two runs, walking two and striking out four.
On Saturday, Villanova delivered another walk-off, this time securing a 5-4 victory in 10 innings.
Creighton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth following a run-scoring single.
Villanova took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Franz’s two-run single, but Creighton responded with a three-run homer by sophomore first baseman Sydney Potter in the fifth to go up, 4-2. Villanova quickly tied it, 4-4, in the bottom half with RBI singles from redshirt senior first baseman Brooklyn Ostrowski and Franz.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Bluejays put two runners on with one out and threatened to take the lead, but Gallant induced a flyout and recorded a strikeout to end the threat.
After the Wildcats were set down in order in the bottom of the seventh inning, the game went to extra innings.
Both teams failed to score in the eighth or ninth innings.
After Creighton set down the first two Villanova hitters, Franz crushed a 3-2 pitch over the wall in center field for a home run, clinching the second straight Wildcat walk-off victory.
“I was trying to help the team after not being able to provide the day before,” Franz said. “I got [a] three two count and I’m pretty much…a free swinger. [The pitcher] basically piped it down the middle and I took a good swing.”
For the ‘Cats, Gallant recorded the win, spinning five scoreless innings out of the bullpen. She allowed just four hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three.
“[Gallant’s] two wins [on the weekend] gave us a lot of conference going into the third game,” Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard said. “Her talent is one thing but it’s just her leadership and her ability to control the game that is most valuable.”
On Saturday, in the series finale, Villanova rode a nine-run third inning into a 10-7 victory.
Creighton opened up a 1-0 lead in the first inning when a run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the first.
The Wildcats quickly tied the game in the bottom of the first on senior pitcher Kelsey White’s RBI single.
Creighton regained the lead in the top of the third, taking a 2-1 lead on an RBI single.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Bluejay defense unraveled,
and the Wildcat offense took full advantage.
An error, a hit batter, and a walk loaded the bases before Franz’s RBI groundout tied the game at 2-2.
After a walk re-loaded the bases, an error put Villanova ahead. A botched pickoff attempt added another run, and junior left fielder Madison Ostrowski’s single extended the lead to 5-2.
After the ‘Cats loaded the bases again, Burrows blooped a hit down the right-field line, driving in two more runs.
To cap the explosive inning, Runco crushed a three-run home run over the left-center field seats, giving the Wildcats a 10-2 lead.
“I was still looking for pitches out of the zone, but I saw that first pitch come in, right on the outside corner,” Runco said. “I was ready for it, and I hit the ball over the fence.”
Creighton cut Villanova’s lead to 10-5 in the fourth with an RBI double and single, then added two more runs in the sixth. Freshman Lexi Kobryn shut them down in the seventh, securing the win. She pitched 3.2 relief innings, allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and one strikeout.
The Wildcats play a midweek game this afternoon at 3 p.m. against Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
This weekend, Villanova will travel to Washington, D.C., for a three-game set at Georgetown University.
Baseball Gets “Statement Win” Against NJIT
Jack Flannelly Staff Writer
From March 14 to March 16, Villanova baseball hosted the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) for its first three-game weekend series of the year. The Wildcats (10-8) took the series, 2-1.
On Friday, March 14, Villanova won, 2-1. The Wildcats were mercied, 13-3, on Saturday. They capped the series with a 10-3 victory on Sunday.
The weekend marked Villanova’s fifth consecutive series win. This is only the second time this has ever happened in Villanova baseball history.
“It was great to beat a good team without all of our guys in the lineup,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “It was a statement win for our guys.”
Villanova was missing two key players. Graduate starter Luke McCollough did not take the mound, and graduate catcher Jason Neff was not available on Sunday.
The Wildcats took game one on Friday afternoon via walk-off RBI single by Neff.
Graduate pitcher Bobby Olsen went eight innings, striking out nine and allowing one run. Sophomore Jake Francis pitched one inning and was credited with the win.
Villanova went down early, as NJIT scored its first and only run in the first inning on an RBI double.
The Wildcats tied it up in the third on an RBI single from graduate Jason Neff.
It was scoreless until the bottom of the ninth when, yet again, Neff had another RBI single, bringing in junior Michael Whooley to win the game.
In game two, Villanova sent six pitchers to the mound, with none having much success, as they allowed 13 runs in seven innings.
“We did not perform up to our standards Saturday,” Mulvey said. “It was a tough game and got away from us early.”
The Wildcats went down, 5-0, in the first after an NJIT grand slam. Villanova was never able to come back from this deficit.
Offensively, the Wildcats scored all three of their runs in the fourth, behind RBIs from freshman
Brayden Leonard and senior Josue Valdez.
Sophomore pitcher C.J. Furey was credited with the loss.
In game three, Villanova gave the ball to sophomore Jake Francis, who went 4.1 innings, allowing three runs and striking out three.
Graduate student Alec Sachais came out of the bullpen firing 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball. Sachais struck out five and earned the win.
“Sachais has been tremendous for us,” Mulvey said. “He has been a big boost for our team when he can throw up some zeros and keep you in the game.”
NJIT scored one run in the first, fourth and fifth innings. That
was all they tallied against Villanova’s pitchers.
In the third, the Wildcats put up five runs behind a grand slam from Leonard, the first of his career.
Freshman JoJo Montgomery was the offensive player of the game for Villanova, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
“It shows them [Montgomery and Leonard] what they’re capable of,” Mulvey said. “It shows the rest of the team we can trust anyone that is in there at any given time.”
The Wildcats will host Princeton on Wednesday, March 19.
Villanova will then travel to Spartanburg, SC to play Wofford in a three-game series from March 21 to March 23.
Graduate pitcher Bobby Olsen delivered nine strikeouts in eight innings during Friday’s win over NJIT. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
W Tennis Sweeps Marquette, M Tennis Falls to Butler
Billy Burgess Staff Writer
Villanova women’s tennis (5-8) extended its winning streak to three matches with a dominant, 7-0 sweep over Marquette University in Orlando, FL on Monday, March 10.
The men’s team (2-11, 0-1 Big East) fell to Butler, 7-0, on Friday in its Big East opener at the Villanova Tennis Complex on March 14.
The Wildcats women’s team showcased consistency in both doubles and singles play against Marquette (3-13). The doubles duo of freshman Olivia Corcoran and sophomore Lauren Monti provided momentum with a 6-2 victory, while sophomores Jenna Stevens and Maddie Hills followed with a dominant 6-1 win to clinch the doubles point.
In singles play, graduate student Sophia Edwards made a statement at No. 1 with a commanding, 6-0, 6-4 win.
Corcoran displayed resilience at No. 2, grinding through a tough three-set match. Despite dropping the second set 6-7, she responded with a 10-4 victory in the third to secure the point. Junior Maggie Gehrig added a tight straight-set win at No. 3, claiming the match 7-6, 6-3.
The trio of Stevens, Monti and senior Valieriia Kornieva highlighted its dominance with commanding straight-set victories to secure the sweep. Stevens cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 4, and Monti followed with a decisive, 6-2, 6-1 victory at No.
Elijah McDow Staff Writer
Villanova men’s lacrosse (2-5) picked up a much-needed 16-9 win against Brown on Monday, March 17.
The victory came off backto-back defeats to the University of Pennsylvania 11-8, and No. 20 St Joseph’s University, 12-8.
“It’s great to get a win, but more importantly we played well,” head coach Mike Corrado said. “We’ve been trying to put 60 minutes together, and I thought today was our best effort of the year. It’s hard, and you’re not going to be perfect the whole game, but I thought we played our best 60 minutes of the season and broke out offensively.”
Less than two minutes into the first quarter, the Wildcats opened the scoring off a goal from freshman attacker Gavin Michener. Sophomore midfielder Nicholas Lucchesi doubled the lead six minutes later.
The Wildcats maintained their two-goal lead and kept Brown scoreless for the entire first quarter.
“[Getting in front] was nice,” Corrado said. “We’ve had some tough first halves like six nothing to Penn and eight-two to St Joe’s. [In those games] we actually played really good second halves but it’s hard to make up that much space against a good team so it was nice today to get on top.”
The second quarter began with several chances from Brown.
Villanova freshman goalkeeper Denis Fargione made two key saves. Fargione replaced redshirt sophomore Anthony Wilson as Villanova’s start-
5. Kornieva sealed it at No. 6, controlling the first set, 6-1, and battling to close out the second, 7-5.
The women’s squad will now look to extend its win streak in the upcoming road match against Loyola Maryland on Tuesday, March 18. Villanova will then host Saint Joseph’s University in its home opener on Wednesday, March 19.
After a loss to Butler (8-7, 1-1) in its Big East opener, the Villanova men are focused on growth and seizing upcoming opportunities to build momentum.
In doubles, Villanova’s soph-
omore pairings faced a tough challenge. Sophomores Will Monahan and Justin Frattarelli dropped a 6-3 decision at the top flight to Butler’s Nicolas Arts and Rahulniket Konakanchi. Sophomores Kush Anand and Thomas Wakefield fell, 6-0, to Patrick Joss and Nicholas Shirley at No. 2.
Junior Cooper Gordon and senior Trey Fourticq’s match against Riccardo Baldi and Arnesh Singh at No. 3 ended unfinished, though they were in a tight battle. Villanova trailed, 5-4, when Butler clinched the doubles point.
Men’s Lacrosse Defeats Brown
“We’ve got to come out of the gates ready to go,” men’s head coach Brad Adams said. “We were just as good as those guys, but I thought we had a slow start for a lot of the singles. It shows we have a team that will fight regardless of the first set.”
That fight was most evident in the singles contests, with Monahan and Frattarelli pushing their matches to third-set tiebreakers.
Monahan rebounded from a first-set loss to force a third but narrowly fell to Nicolas Arts, 10-8. Frattarelli followed a similar path in his match with Aidan William, winning his first set but ultimately dropping the next two, 6-4, 10-5.
The Villanova men’s team now faces a critical stretch of the season. After its match against Loyola (MD) on Tuesday, the team will begin Big East play.
“It’s a tough ask, but I think we’re in great tennis shape,” Adams said. “Our guys have that mentality of getting the first point and keeping your foot on the pedal all the way through the match.”
With a challenging road trip ahead, Adams emphasizes starting matches with more aggression and maintaining energy throughout. As the Wildcats aim to elevate their game and make a statement in Big East play, Adams believes his team is ready to embrace the test.
On Friday, March 21, the team travels to Chicago to face DePaul before heading to Milwaukee for a match against Marquette on Saturday, March 22.
ing goalkeeper.
“[Fargione] is a freshman goalie at the Division I level” Corrado said. “[Division I] is a really hard spot to be in but for the most part he’s done great. He’s done a nice job for us and I’m happy where he is.
Brown’s frustrations continued to build. After four minutes of play, an illegal body check was called against Brown senior midfielder Wells Bligh due to indirect contact on the head of sophomore defender Beau Kemler.
The Wildcats made the most of the penalty, adding their third and fourth goals to take a 4-0 lead. The third goal was courtesy of freshman attacker Brady Dumont, and the fourth came from redshirt sophomore attacker, Colin Michener.
With five minutes left in the second quarter, the Wildcats scored two additional goals and added another in the final minute. They went into halftime with a 7-0 lead.
Coming out of halftime, Brown scored its first goal of the game after just a minute of play. The Wildcats instantly responded off a goal from senior attacker Luke Raymond.
The Bears scored twice more, but the Wildcats still held an eight-goal lead following scores from Lucchessi and graduate attacker Matt Licata. The Wildcats held a double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Bears went on a run and cut the lead
to single digits. Despite the growing presence of the Brown offense, the Wildcats were able to hold their lead. “[Comebacks] happen in lacrosse,” Corrado said. “I think we have some good veterans down low who have played in a ton of games. I thought those guys did a good job of making stops and having good clears.”
Up next for the Wildcats is the beginning of conference play.
The Wildcats will travel to Denver, CO on March 29 for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the University of Denver (4-4).
The match is set for 5 p.m. ET, 3 PM MT, at Peter Barton Stadium and can be streamed on FloSports.
Sophomore Will Monahan fell to Butler’s Nicolas Arts in a third-set tiebreaker. Erick Quezada / Villanovan Photography
Villanova freshman goalkeeper Dennis Fargione made two key saves against Brown on Monday, March 17. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics
Frames from the Weekend’s Sports
All photos courtesy of Erick Quezada/Villanovan Photography
Graduate Brooklyn Ostrowski’s single helped Villanova claim a comeback win over Creighton. Senior Kelsey White pitched 3.2 innings against Creighton on Saturday, March 14.
Sophomore Will Monahan competed against Butler’s Nicolas Arts on Friday, March 14.
Sophomore Justin Frattarelli lost to Butler’s Aidan William in a 10-5 tiebreaker.
Freshman forward Jasper Zulman in Villanova’s spring exhibition game against Drexel. Sophomore forward Javon Daniels played against Drexel on Saturday, March 15.
THE CROSSWORD
