WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 15, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 113 | ISSUE 12
Black Lives Matter and God Trial
STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916
Women’s Basketball Bounces Back
Elena Rouse
Co-Culture Editor
This past Thursday in the Mullen Performing Arts Center, God Himself was put on trial. As the final project for the upper level Theology class, “Do Black Lives Matter to God,” students partook in a mock trial in which they questioned God for the treatment of Black lives, touching on the greater question of why God seemingly lets people suffer. The professor of the class, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, talked about the class’s premise. “How is it that human suffering and evil can persist, even overwhelm humanity, if God is good, and God is powerful and God is presumably just?” Washington-Leapheart said about the main question on which the class was based. To answer this question in reference to Black lives, Rev. Washington-Leapheart has conducted the same mock trial for her class at the end of each semester. She has taught the class since the Spring of 2016. “I just wanted to figure out a way to first of all test students’ mastery of these theological concepts but also put it in a real world context where God is literally on trial,” Washington-Leapheart said. Junior Eric Lavin, a member of the class, spoke about the way in which the trial is organized. “In this trial, the
Villanova women’s basketball bounced back with two straight wins. Courtesy of Quinn Burns, Villanovan Photography
Meghann Mohardt Staff Writer
Following two tough Big East losses last weekend, Villanova women’s basketball bounced back with two straight wins, beating James Madison on the road, 76-67, on Thursday night and upsetting No.23 ranked Oregon State, 56-52, at home on Sunday. The ‘Cats were led by junior Maddy Siegrist, who made her return to the court on Thursday after missing six games due to a wrist injury. The star forward scored 65 points in the two games, bumping her season average up to
21.3 points per game over four games played. Siegrist recorded a double-double on Thursday, finishing with 37 points and 17 rebounds. This is the eighth time Siegrist has scored 30 points in her career, and she now has 25 career double-doubles in 58 games. Siegrist was one of two ‘Cats to score in double figures, with sophomore guard Lior Garzon adding 16 points, four rebounds and four steals. The difference in gameplans was evident as Coach Denise Dillon’s team oriented motion offense proved to be more effective. The ‘Cats recorded
an assist on 21 of their 27 field goals, led by freshman guard Lucy Olsen and junior guard Brooke Mullin, who finished with seven and six assists, respectively. The Dukes finished with just four assists on 23 field goals in the game. Villanova struck first, with two free throws coming from Siegrist in the first 20 seconds. The Dukes would tie the game three times in the first quarter, but the ‘Cats continued to ward them off, never trailing over the 40 minutes. The ‘Cats led 2215 after the first quarter behind nine points from Siegrist. James Madison improved offensively in
the second, but the ‘Cats strong defense and team offense persevered, never allowing the Dukes within five. Siegrist scored a layup and came up with two key defensive rebounds in the final minute to give Villanova a nine-point lead at the break. Siegrist and Garzon combined for 29 of the team’s 42 points in the first half. The ‘Cats shot 47.2% from the field, including 37.5% from beyond the arc in the first half. JMU made some adjustments at the half, scoring two quick baskets and cutting the lead to five in the first minute of the third quarter. The ‘Cats
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The Wright Way: Bring Back the Suits, Jay
Villanova men’s basketball coach Jay Wright is known for many things, winning two NCAA championships in the last six years, holding a place as a basketball Hall of Famer and being the best-dressed coach in college sports.
However, Coach Wright’s wardrobe has taken a drastic turn. Wright has nixed his iconic and classic suits for a series of matching sweat-sets, ditching class for comfort in this 2022 basketball season. His style on the sidelines has moved away from sophistication in favor of casual, and we have to wonder if it’s affecting his game. When asked about his attire choice before the season began, Wright replied,
“We’re going casual,” Wright said when asked about his attire choice before the season began. “We’re going to try it out and see how it goes. Everybody seemed like they were gonna go casual, and now that it’s getting closer to gametime, I think some guys are going the other way, but we’re prepared to go casual right now, and we’re gonna see how it goes.” Wright attributed much of his sense of style to his late tailor, Gabriele
“Gabe” D’Annunzio, who passed away last winter. In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Wright remembered his tailor fondly and gave him all the credit for his chic look. D’Annunzio was responsible for many of Wright’s iconic looks, specifically his double-breasted suits, and his great attention to detail. Even without the suits, Coach Wright still radiates confidence and calmness on the court no matter what Continued on p. 13
New Rhetoric Course on Hate Speech p. 3
Mock Recruitment Hosted by Panhel p. 4
Board Editorial: Thank You, Villanova p. 5
Joe Rogan’s COVID Cocktail is Extremely Problematic p. 6
PA Voting Barriers for Out of State Villanovans p. 7
Club Sports Player of the Month: Thomas Dougherty p. 10
Augustinians of Villanova: Fr. Peter M. Donoghue p. 11
Villanova’s Holiday Village and Market p. 12
Men’s Basketball Dominated by Baylor p. 13
Women’s Club Soccer Takes Trip to Nationals p. 14
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Vivi Melkonian Co-Opinion Editor Tina Aron Co-Opinon Editor