| Villanova Wildcats | |
| University | Villanova University |
|---|---|
| Conference(s) | Big East, CAA (football) |
| NCAA | Division I / FCS |
| Athletics director | Vince Nicastro |
| Location | Villanova, PA |
| Varsity teams | 24 |
| Football stadium | Villanova Stadium |
| Basketball arena | The Pavilion (on campus) Wells Fargo Center (high-attendance games) |
| Baseball stadium | Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth |
| Mascot | Will D. Cat |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Fight song | "V for Villanova" |
| Colors | Blue, Light Blue, and White
|
| Homepage | Villanova Wildcats |
The Villanova Wildcats is the name of the athletic teams of Villanova University. They compete in the Big East (NCAA Division I) for every sport except football, where they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA).
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The Villanova Wildcats compete in the Big EAST and are currently coached by Jay Wright. They have won one championship (1985), and have been to the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship four times (1939, 1971, 1985, and 2009).
The Villanova Wildcats women's basketball team are coached by Harry Perretta, now serving his 34th year as head coach of the team. They play their home games in The Pavilion. Perretta reached a coaching milestone on 12 November with a win over Iona, representing the 600th win of his career. He is one of seven NCAA Division I coaches to have 600 victories all at one school.[1]
The Wildcats compete in the Colonial Athletic Association and are coached by Andy Talley. Villanova played in bowl games following the 1936, 1947, 1948, 1961, and 1962 college football seasons. Villanova dropped its football program altogether following the 1980 season. In 1985, Villanova began playing football again at the Division I-AA (now Division I FCS) level. Since moving to I-AA, Villanova has made 7 appearances in the I-AA/FCS playoffs, and won the 2009 FCS Championship. Villanova football has produced such NFL talents as Howie Long, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, and Brian Westbrook, San Francisco 49ers running back formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Villanova plays the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens in the "Battle of the Blue," which Villanova won in its first four years. Villanova leads the all-time series with Delaware 22-20-1. The Wildcats also have a four-year series where they will play Temple University for the Philadelphia "Mayor's Cup," which Villanova took possession of in the inaugural game in September 2009 (Villanova leads that all-time series 16-12-2).
In 2009, the Wildcats played in the NCAA Division I Football Championship game against the University of Montana Grizzlies. The Wildcats beat the Grizzlies 23–21 to win their first FCS national championship. Their recent success has fueled speculation regarding a potential promotion to the Football Bowl Subdivision and into the Big East in which they already participate for basketball.[2][3] In September 2010, the Big East formally issued Villanova an invitation to join in football; the school is currently considering the offer.[4]
The Villanova Wildcats men's lacrosse team represents Villanova University in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's lacrosse. Villanova currently competes as a member of the Big East Conference and plays their home games at Villanova Stadium in Villanova, Pennsylvania.[5] Through 2009, Villanova men's lacrosse was a member of the Colonial Athletic Association and won the CAA tournament for their first title in 2009.[6] The fourth-seeded Wildcats were the lowest-seeded championship team in conference history.[7] That season, Villanova also made their first NCAA tournament appearance, where they were routed in the first round by first-seeded Virginia, 18–6.[8] The 2004 team, which finished 13-3, was most likely better than the 2009 team, but the 2004 team played against stiffer competition in the CAA than the 2009 team.
Villanova University's Track and field team has a long history of athletic success that has spanned from Big East Conference Championships to NCAA Championships.[9]
The men's team has produced 69 NCAA championships, 36 indoor and 33 outdoor. The team has had 8 NCAA team championships (4 cross country, 3 indoor, 1 outdoor). Villanova has produced 28 athletes who have made appearances in the Olympics, 10 of whom have medaled (7 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals). The men's team has also won 112 Penn Relay Championships, which stands as the most wins by any school. The men's current coaches include head coach, Marcus O'Sullivan, and assistant head coach, Anthony Williams.[9]
The women's team has also had a multitude of success, producing 10 Big East team Championships and 7 NCAA team Championships. They have also produced 7 Olympians including Vicki Huber, Sonia O'Sullivan, Kim Certain, Kate Fonshell, Jen Rhines, Carmen Douma, and Carrie Tollefson. Olympic hopefuls for the 2008 Summer Olympics include alumna Marina Muncan. The Women's team has won 28 Penn Relay Championships, which is the most wins by any women's team. The current women's coaches include head coach, Gina Procaccio, and assistant head coach, Anthony Williams.[9]
At least one Villanova athlete has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1948, winning a total of 13 medals (9 gold, 4 silver).[10]
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