The Villanovan | Volume 120, Issue 7: March 25, 2026

Meet Andrew: Joe McDonough Shares the Story Behind B+

Emma Cote Abroad Correspondent

Sophie Latessa Managing Editor

The week of NOVAdance’s annual dance marathon has finally arrived, and students are taking the “Be Positive” motto to heart. NOVAdance is a quintessential aspect of the culture at Villanova, fostering kindness, hope and community, all values inspired by Andrew McDonough.

The Villanovan spoke with Joe McDonough, Andrew’s father and the founder of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, about his son and the impact his legacy continues to have on others.

Joe McDonough had dreamt of being a father his entire life. Alongside his wife, Kris, McDonough raised his oldest daughter, Allie, and youngest son, Andrew.

“Well, what more could I want?” McDonough asked.. “The things that were important to me were not my title, the car I drove, or the size of my house. For me, partly because of my upbringing, it was all about family. I couldn’t wait to be a dad and coach sports and help him with homework and all that kind of stuff.”

While nearly two years apart in age, Allie and Andrew were so close that they were often mistaken for twins.

“I had two great kids,” McDonough shared. “Not perfect kids. I mean, you know, just, I had the life I wanted.

And both kids were good in school, they were athletic, but most importantly, they loved each other. They were just so close.”

At the beginning of a January weekend in 2007, Andrew led his soccer team to a state championship. A mere two days later, the McDonough’s found themselves at the Wilmington Children’s hospital.

While originally believed to be a case of Appendicitis, doctors eventually informed the McDonoughs that Andrew had Leukemia. Joe broke the news to his son.

“He asked me two questions,” McDonough shared, “He said, ‘Can I shave my head before my hair falls out?’ And he says, ‘What do I tell my friends?’

And I said, ‘Just go tell them the truth. You didn’t do anything wrong.’”

Following the diagnosis, Andrew went into septic shock and later cardiac arrest.

“I knew in my core, that if Andrew heard me begging him to keep fighting, he would,” McDonough recalled. “And they resuscitated Andrew. I pulled the doctor aside, and I said, ‘Is my son gonna be okay?’ And he looked at me, he said, ‘Your son will not live through the night.’”

McDonough could only describe the night as a nightmare, but the family was determined to do everything they could to save Andrew.

“And I looked at him,” McDonough said, “I told him, ‘Only God and Andrew knows.’”

Andrew did live through that night, which was the start of a 167 day hospitalization period. During these 166 “bonus days,” as Joe refers to them, Andrew went through over

50 surgical procedures and had several strokes. On four separate occasions, the family was informed Andrew would not live to see the next day.

The McDonoughs did not want anyone to give up on Andrew. Inspired by his blood type, B+, his protective older sister Allie plastered a sign on the door that read, “Do not come in this room unless you’re going to be positive.” The family put an image of Andrew before his diagnosis by his bedside to serve as a reminder of who they were fighting to save.

On day 165, July 12, 2007, Andrew had his fourth stroke, and the doctor told his family he had less than 48 hours to live.

“My birthday was the next day,” McDonough said. “And Kris and Allie will tell you that Andrew fought to stay alive so as not to die on my birthday. Someday, hopefully, I’ll ask him if that was true. And the following day, on the 14th of July, 2007, at 1:55 p.m. in Wilmington, Delaware, after everything my son went through, all the operations, the strokes, the intubations, everything, I watched Andrew take his last breath and die in his 16 year old sister’s arms.”

Following his son’s passing, Joe McDonough left his previous career and established the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. Driven by the mission to “live like Andrew,” schools like Villanova have established chapters of the B+ Foundation across the country.

McDonough describes Andrew as an energetic, thoughtful 14-year-old who never missed a chance to help a friend in need or make someone else smile. When describing his son’s personality, he likes to tell the story of a time he dropped Andrew off at a friend’s house and Andrew ran back to the car just to give his dad a kiss and a “thank you.” Years later, McDonough fondly recalls the moment with a beaming smile.

“But it’s those little things, and they’re lasting,” McDonough said.

“You do that, you hold the door, or you help somebody, you start a ripple effect, and then they may do something for someone else. You know, I don’t know why Andrew gave me that gift that day. When he came over and kissed me and said, ‘I love you, Dad, thanks for bringing me up here.

I’ll see you at five.’ I mean, I was on top of the world, and I can’t remember, but I was probably nicer to Kris, and, for all I know, maybe Allie did something nice for Andrew earlier that day that started that chain. And,

you know, negativity is contagious, but so is positivity.”

Built on the values Andrew lived by, the foundation is now the largest provider of financial assistance to families of kids with cancer in the United States.

”When we help these families, we don’t just pay a bill,” McDonough said. “We show them that someone out there cares about them, we send them love and hope. I know how scary and lonely it can be in the hospital for 167 days, and that’s what you all enable us to do, is to lift these families up and in some cases, literally save their lives.”

McDonough explained that grants to families may go towards rent or housing, keeping immunocompromised kids in a clean environment and preventing them from getting ill. Donations can also go towards funding life-altering research, a priority of the foundation this past year.

DIPG, or Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, is a rare tumor of the brain stem. Currently, the survival rate is 0%, and those diagnosed are often afforded 11 months to live.

Fundraising efforts by the B+ Foundation have made strides in changing this bleak reality. At Seattle Children’s hospital, patient Gavin was diagnosed with DIPG nearly three and a half years ago and is still alive thanks to this critical research.

“Now, you could say, ‘Well, that’s okay, so that’s two and a half years more than he should,’” McDonough explained. “Yes, that’s two and a half more years. And as a dad, if you could just give me two and a half more years of Andrew.”

NOVAdance and the B+ Foundation also bring joy into the lives of children battling cancer on a personal level through the B+ Hero program. McDonough says the story of Villanova B+ Hero Blair Henry is a testament to the impact these pairings can have on both the hero and the college students, who form a special bond with one another.

When four-year-old Blair joined the B+ Hero program, she was very sick with a brain tumor. Doctors had given her short time to live, and Delta Gamma adopted her with this understanding. In her final months, Blair’s relationship with her “sisters” brought immense joy into her life and the lives of her parents. The students created lasting memories with Blair, including attending her birthday party and spending valuable time with her family.

“When each one of us

dedicates ourselves individually to making a difference in someone’s life, it’s amazing what we can do,” McDonough reflected. “You know, this was a child that ultimately passed away at a very, very young age, but a bunch of college students who did not know her at all before we made this connection changed the life that she had for that short life and gave her parents a reason to smile. And I can almost guarantee that every one of those Delta Gamma sisters that got to know her will carry a piece of Blair with them forever. When they’re my age, they’ll remember that little girl Blair that just put a stamp on their heart.”

McDonough emphasized the depth of these connections by sharing another story of a B+ hero at New York University. A group of fraternity brothers gave him a bid, placed him within their composite and were there in the hospital holding his hand in his final moments. The child’s mom personally invited them.

“That’s the power.” McDonough said. “It’s not just, you know, sending them a birthday card. This is a real human connection, 365 days, and long term.”

Last year, NOVAdance took a leap in making its fundraising goal public. After a year of fundraising efforts, the chapter broke over $700,000, a historic milestone. This year, the fundraising goal has been shared across campus again, and NOVAdance gears up for the marathon hoping to jump another $100,000 to an $800,000 total.

“I’m telling you for sure,” McDonough said, “Villanova’s gonna hit a million someday. And that seems insane.”

McDonough applauded this goal-setting but went on to remind students of the importance of having fun and looking at the bigger picture of progress. To do so, McDonough shared a personal anecdote about Andrew’s own goal to attain a 4.0 GPA during his first year of high school, one that he accomplished.

While proud of his son, McDonough shared that he was far more impressed by Andrew setting a goal rather than the accomplishment itself. Each dollar, regardless of whether it amounts to the lofty target NOVAdance is aiming for, ultimately results in a family helped.

This year, Andrew McDonough would have turned 33. Years after his passing, his legacy continues to brighten the world and make an impact on so many.

“When he was little, he always said he was gonna be famous,” McDonough said. “And we thought, like, you know, baseball player, play for the Phillies or something. And, I guess in a way, Andrew has become famous. Never did I think it was going to be this way.”

“I think his heart would be broken that so many other kids have had cancer and so many kids have died,” McDonough continued. “But I think he would be just stunned that a foundation that bears his name is one of the largest child cancer charities in the country and that his foundation raises millions of dollars in funds of research and I think he’d be happy about that. Andrew’s a kind soul, and I think Andrew would feel like, if I had to die, I wish I was the last one, and hopefully my death can make it better for other kids.”

A Capella Palooza 2026

Recap

Cali Carss Co-Culture Editor

To many, “Pitch Perfect” and its thriving college a cappella scene is simply a fantasy. But on Villanova University’s campus, this level of talent and involvement in this niche art is actually quite close to the truth. The A Cappella Palooza was held on Friday, March 20, and featured performances from all nine groups that sing on this campus.

With four all-female groups, two all-male and three co-ed groups, there was plenty of variety to be found at A Cappella Palooza. Each group had its own distinct flair through costume, music and choreography choices.

The night was emceed by sophomores Betty Lundborn and Gianna Lauria. The pair introduced each group and maintained the swift pace of the show.

The event began with a performance from the Haveners. This all-girl group blew the audience away and set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the night. In their denim-themed ensembles, the Haveners were an absolute vision. Junior Ollie Currier started the set off strong as the first soloist, and it only got more intricate and vocally impressive from there. This group’s final song was “The Subway” by Chappell Roan, an incredibly difficult song that the group breezed through, hitting every note perfectly.

The next group to take the stage was Minor Problem. It put together a set of exciting throwbacks, including “…Baby One More Time” and “Bad Romance.” The performance was bold and exciting, yet

Continued on p. 28

Villanova To Add Jewish Studies To Minors List p. 4

Six Minutes, Infinite Energy: Inside NOVAdance’s Line Dance p. 18

Professor Kerbel Analyzes Early Trends Ahead Of The 2026 Midterm Elections

Darya Radzevich Staff Writer

On Monday, March 16, the Falvey Speakers’ Corner hosted Matt Kerbel, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science, for a lecture titled “An Early Look at the 2026 Midterm Election.”

Midterm elections are an opportunity for the electorate to pass judgment on the results of the previous presidential election. Considering the importance of midterms, Kerbel explained that signs suggest the upcoming midterm elections will be abnormal.

Kerbel introduced the concept of “wave elections” that he uses throughout his talk. “Wave elections”occur when political energy is gathered early before any election.

This energy accumulates leading up to the election until it cannot be stopped. A wave election can lead to unusual results, where incumbents who would typically be safe are not.

First, the 2026 midterm elections in November are unlike previous years because of public support for the president’s performance.

“The less popular the president, the more dif -

ficult it is for the president’s party to be successful in the midterms,” Kerbel said. Currently, President Donald Trump’s approval rating is 38%, while the disapproval is 57%, according to aggregate polls from Strength in Numbers. Furthermore, half as many people strongly approve of the president as strongly disapprove.

“So not only are these overall approval levels low, but they are also not very intensely held,” Kerbel said. “So, we find evidence that the Republican Party may be in trouble in November.”

Additionally, the upcoming midterm elec -

tions are important because every Class II Senate seat will be up for reelection.

This gives Democrats an opportunity to regain control of the Senate, if they can win back four seats and maintain control of the ones they already have. The Democrats have invested money in 44 seats currently held by Republicans, while Republicans have targeted 26 seats.

“Now what this tells me is the Republicans are going on offense in fewer places, because they know they are going to need to conserve their resources to defend more seats,” Kerbel said.

Continued on p. 2

Kevin Willard Goes Viral Again In March

Dylan Johnson Co-Editor-in-Chief

Villanova head coach Kevin Willard has made it a common theme to go viral during post-game press conferences. Now, it is during in-game press conferences too. With 11 minutes left in the first half of Villanova men’s basketball’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Utah State, Willard was pulled aside for a TV interview at the media timeout.

“Venezuela, The United States and the Monroe Doctrine” p. 5

Men’s Basketball Falls In First Round To Utah State p. 30

TNT sideline reporter Lauren

Shehadi asked Willard about Utah State’s 16 paint points within the first nine minutes of the game, which gave it a nine-

point lead. Willard quickly cut in with a response.

“I’m gonna fire my staff,” Willard said.

“Not now,” Shehadi responded.

All About The NOVADance Finance Team p. 12

Villanova Women’s Basketball Falls To Texas Tech, 57-52 p. 31

Sidekicks Step Into The Spotlight p. 13

Step One Complete: Willard’s First Year p. 38

“Yeah, I am,” Willard said. “Because we’ve given up eight points on underneath out-of-bounds defense. The only thing I’m gonna do is fire them and get a new staff.”

Willard then sharply turned back to the Villanova huddle to continue coaching, with no idea his 30-second interview would gain thousands of likes and views on social media before halftime.

Following Villanova’s 86-76 loss to Utah State, Wil-

Continued on p. 32

The Real Power of NOVAdance Isn’t Limited To 12 Hours p. 15

West Coast Wildcat Fans Experience Villanova Men’s Basketball p. 39

VOL. 120 | ISS. 7

www.villanovan.com

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

Public Drunkenness

March 18, SULLIVAN HALL.

A female resident student, over the age of 21, was found in public intoxicated, evaluated by VEMS and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for further evaluation.

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness

March 18, ST. MONICA HALL.

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and released to a sober friend.

Theft of Property

March 18, STANFORD HALL.

A resident student reported the theft of his bracelet. The amount of the loss is $150.00.

Sexual Extortion

March 18, ST. MARY’S HALL.

A male resident student reported being sexually extorted for money resulting from a social media

CORRECTIONS

connection.

Disorderly Conduct / Receiving Stolen Property / Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition

March 19, CONNELLY CENTER. The following individual was arrested based on a retail theft warrant out of Bucks County. Additional charges were filed for theft, receiving stolen property and disorderly conduct by Villanova Police.

Tajhana R. Sutphin / Age: 24

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness

March 20, SULLIVAN HALL. One unaffiliated female, under the age of 21, was observed intoxicated in public and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital by VEMS for further treatment.

Criminal Mischief

March 21, SULLIVAN HALL.

Two damaged exit signs were found in Sullivan Hall.

Criminal Mischief / Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition

March 21, SULLIVAN HALL. A female resident student reported that a stall door has been removed from the men’s restroom located in Sullivan Hall and that the remaining hinges had been damaged.

Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are brought to The Villanovan’s attention. Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

Lecture with Matt Kerbel

Darya Radzevich Staff Writer

Continued from p.1

The number of seats Democrats are targeting suggests they see an opportunity to pick up more seats than in a normal midterm.

Nonetheless, Kerbel says these measures are not yet predictive. They are only descriptive. Signs of the president’s unpopularity, higher voter turnout among Democrats and a sustained Democratic lead in the generic ballot point to this year being a wave election.

During the Q&A, a question arose about the possibility of a crisis occurring that could stop the wave.

This question prompted Kerbel to discuss the current U.S.Iran conflict and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Minnesota.

In reference to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Kerbel claimed the war with Iran has been unpopular from the beginning.

Usually, during wartime, a country experiences the “rally effect,” in which people rally be-

hind the president.

However, this is not the case with the conflict with Iran, so it does not have the potential to interrupt the wave.

Concerning the ICE surge in Minnesota, the St. Paul area held a special election during a time when people did not want to leave their homes.

This is a known Democratic district, so although the outcome was predictable, the turnout rate was unexpected. Two years ago, the Democratic candidate won by 72 points; this year, by 91 points.

“What this means is that the people who didn’t show up were Republicans, and people who did show up wanted to send a message,” Kerbel said.

Whether the early signs of a wave election materialize will depend largely on voter turnout and how motivated voters are to participate in November.

Many voters participate only in presidential elections, but elections that determine the makeup of the House and Senate are just as significant.

Kerbel emphasized that midterms often serve as the electorate’s first opportunity to pass judgment on a president’s performance and the country’s direction.

Villanova To Add Jewish Studies To Minors List

Sammie McKee Co-Sports Editor

This fall, Villanova University will add a Jewish Studies minor to its extensive list of minors available at the University. According to the Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, “The Jewish Studies minor provides undergraduate students with opportunities to engage in the study of Jewish history, thought and culture through courses offered by the Departments of Communication, English, History, Philosophy and Theology and Religious Studies.”

The minor is open to all undergraduate students at Villanova, offering an interdisciplinary perspective which can be added to any major.

Beginning this June, the requirements for the minor will be available on MyNova as well as the ability to declare it.

Although students can not officially declare the minor until the start of the fiscal year, they can enroll courses offered this fall which counts towards the minor’s completion.

Fifteen credits are required to earn the minor. Only one course is required for its completion: a Theology and Religious Studies course titled Introduction to Judaism.

Courses that will count towards the minor come from a range of academic disciplines including Philosophy, English and Communication.

Heidi Rose, a communication professor at Villanova and the incoming director of the Jewish Studies program, spoke to The Villanovan, highlighting exciting features of the minor.

Rose believes that the minor will serve as a resource for students and faculty navigating

modern-day anti-semitism. “Anti-semitism has been rearing its ugly head across the United States and across the world,” Rose said. “It’s always been around and it will never go away. I started to realize that there weren’t a lot of resources on this campus to help students deal with it. I would talk to some of my Jewish colleagues in other departments, but we didn’t have an academic center that could be a knowledge base…we started to explore what it would be like to have a Jewish Studies minor, and the Provost was supportive of the idea.”

When speaking to The Villanovan , Rose relayed that the timing of the minor’s addition could not be more fit. This past fall, the University welcomed its first Jewish chaplain, Leslie Pearl. Rose feels that Pearl’s presence within the Interfaith Counsel makes the necessity of a Jewish studies minor at a Catholic University more necessary than ever.

Many other Catholic Universities already have a Jewish Studies minor and major and Rose believes that the addition of this minor bridges the gap between students’ curiosities about Judaism and a welcoming space on campus to explore that interest.

To anyone who might be on the fence about the major, here’s what Rose has to say.

“Coming from the perspective of someone who loves to learn about new things, take a look at these course offerings and give it a try,” Rose said. “I’m excited to see the questions that students will have, what questions we’ll explore and what we’ll learn together.”

Course registration for the Fall 2026 semester began on Monday, March 23, and will be open to students until the first week of next semester’s classes.

This Week in Politics: Developments In The U.S. And Iran

Zoe Garrett Political Columnist

The U.S. war with Iran rages on and continues to draw mounting public opposition and to induce harsh economic impacts.

The conflict has prompted substantial blowback for the Trump administration. A recent poll from Quinnipiac University found that a majority (53%) of U.S. voters disapproved of U.S. military action against Iran, with a larger percentage (62%) of voters believing that the administration has failed to provide a clear explanation for the nation’s engagement in the war.

Members of the U.S. public are not the only ones who have expressed opposition to the war. Last Tuesday, Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent resigned from his post in protest of the conflict, according to The New York Times

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” Kent wrote in a letter to Trump. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

In response to such criticism, the president has unapologetically defended the militaristic endeavor he has spearheaded.

“Venezuela,

Addy McDougall Staff Writer

When reporters asked the president in the Oval Office about Kent’s resignation shortly after the announcement was made, Trump denounced the ex-official.

“I always thought he was a nice guy, but I always thought he was weak on security,” Trump said. “It’s a good thing that he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat.”

Trump also addressed questions regarding his approach to the conflict in a meeting on Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, according to AP News. The meeting, intended to maintain the strong alliance between the U.S. and the East Asian nation, quickly turned when the president invoked Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II in response to a reporter asking why Trump decided against informing U.S. allies in Europe and Asia of the initial strike on Iran.

“One thing, you don’t want to signal too much,” Trump said. “We didn’t tell anyone about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK? I think you believe in surprise much more than us.”

Trump mused about a potential end of the war with Iran on Friday, suggesting that the criticism the war has drawn had factored into his decision-making.

“We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consid-

er winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran,” he wrote in a post to Truth Social.

However, statements made and missiles fired this past weekend contradicted any tentative conclusion to the war. On Saturday, Trump threatened to target Iran’s power plants if it did not completely open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, according to AP News

“America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Trump wrote on social media.

Increasing threats of attacks on oil tankers and other vessels traveling through the critical waterway, which facilitates the passage of approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, have stifled virtually all traffic.

In response, gasoline and oil prices in the U.S. have skyrocketed, perhaps the most direct impact of the war that many Americans have experienced.

The U.S. has also announced that sanctions on some Iranian oil have been temporarily lifted to help mitigate the escalation of oil prices, reported AP News. Iran responded to this ultimatum with strikes of their own. Late Sunday night, Iran targeted Israel twice in Arad and Dimona, leaving more than 150 people wounded, according to AP News

These most recent strikes perpetuate the animosity and uncertainty that have defined the war in the Middle East. Despite prompting significant public opposition and adverse economic impacts, the war shows no indication of slowing as international tensions escalate.

The United States And The Monroe Doctrine”

“How does the fourth richest country in the world develop the largest refugee crisis on the planet?” asked Daniel DiMartino at his lecture on Tuesday, March 17, in Driscoll Hall 132 Auditorium.

The event was part of a series by the Matthew J. Ryan Center for the Study of Free Institutions and the Public Good. DiMartino is a Ph.D. candidate at Columbia University and a Graduate Fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

DiMartino discussed Venezuelan history, relaying events that led to the country’s present-day dismal conditions.

He clarified that Venezuela was not always a poor country but was in fact among the wealthiest in the mid-1900’s. Today, Venezuela faces hyperinflation, food shortages, power blackouts and rampant crime.

DiMartino described his Venezuelan roots and his grandfather’s arrival in Venezuela when it was prosperous before losing everything to socialism and fleeing the country. DiMartino himself fled to America at age 17.

He discussed possible sources of the crises that led millions to flee Venezuela, drawing comparisons between other countries to rule out certain causes.

He considered that Venezuela has hardly been a warring country, yet now has more refugees than countries like Iran or

Ukraine. Debunking the idea that Venezuela failed because of corruption or oil dependency, DiMartino emphasized that these factors are not exclusive to Venezuela.

Many countries are dependent on oil and are riddled with corruption, but are not facing the same problems as Venezuela.

He instead argued that the primary cause of the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is the country’s socialist system and policies.

He described how socialism emerged in Venezuela when the government overtook everything from farmland to businesses and the media.

Venezuelans that were living under the socialist regime did not anticipate needing to flee and hoped things would return to normal.

“But then, 20 years go by, and things get worse,” DiMartino said. “The people running the government stay the same, the blackouts get worse, there’s no water and suddenly you’re living in a third-world country.”

He connected the dire consequences of socialism in Venezuela to socialist ideas circulating in the United States.

“We are being sold bills of socialist ideas, like free healthcare,” DiMartino said. “But if healthcare is a human right, then so is food. So what’s more important, food or hospitals?”

He continued that if one thinks the government should pay for everything, then it is logical to believe the government should own everything and make decisions for all citizens.

He illustrated this by recounting a dystopian Venezuela where the clerk at a grocery store took his fingerprint to tell him the food he was allowed to purchase.

DiMartino described the thrill of Venezuelans at the United States military’s recent capture of Venezuelan dictator Maduro, while voicing concerns of socialism rising in the United States.

DiMartino argued that many Americans are being deceived about what is happening in Venezuela and that people are “trying to turn the United States into Venezuela.”

He claimed that Americans are told we can simply take money

from the rich to give to the poor.

“The real agenda is for the government to take our businesses, properties and freedoms, and make us become like Venezuela,” DiMartino said.

DiMartino shared what comes to mind when he thinks about the United States.

“You don’t think of socialism,” DiMartino said. “You think of liberty. You think of the opposite of socialism.”

DiMartino concluded his speech with warnings of socialism’s threat to America.

“I already fled one country, and I do not want to have to flee another,” DiMartino said.

Liam Foley Staff Writer

OPINION

The Worship Of Money And Power

There is an increase in the worship of money and power amongst the Villanova community, and there are three reasons for it.

For one, society is undergoing a period of “elite overproduction,” which particularly affects a school like Villanova. Political scientist Peter Turchin supports this theory. There is a limited number of spots in the elite class as wealth is being consolidated.

Yet, coincidentally, the number of people receiving college degrees has increased. There is a decrease in available “elite” jobs, and an increase in educated elites wanting them. At Villanova, many come from affluent families who built their wealth in a different job market and can afford a university like Villanova. Parents don’t understand today’s job market, which creates increased pressure to secure elite jobs. The heart tends to obsess over or worship what it can not have. To compensate for this insecurity, social hierarchies and interpersonal power dynamics are increasingly taking shape. This is a natural side effect of worshipping money.

Secondly, everything President Trump does will increase the worship of money and power as he influences younger generations. He has operated as a cutthroat businessman, constantly seeking to exploit and maximize the dollar. Now he’s attempting to consol -

Massimo DiLeo Staff Writer

idate the federal government. People of his character push narratives that one must operate this way, as “human nature is inherently selfish” and that “you must embrace that reality to survive.” These takes lack nuance. Realism is needed in the business and political realm. But it is possible to balance profit with ethics, toughness with compassion and power with virtue. The brutality of his immigration policy does not reflect these balanced values. Americans

need a president, Republican or Democrat, who worships love, as a true leader would.

The third reason is the pervasive influence of social media, which increasingly amplifies material success, status and power as the primary markers of worth. This generation is the first to really grow with it, and the effects continue to get more real. It forces constant comparison, pushing people to measure themselves against others in ways that breed deep in -

security and a heightened awareness of how they are perceived. I think about how, over time, this might foster a competitive mindset that extends beyond the screen. The impulse to stand out and gain status online begins to carry into real life, encouraging a desire to assert social dominance and climb the social ladder. In that environment, money becomes increasingly worshipped because it functions as a symbol of status.

There is nothing inherently wrong with pursuing a career in the private sector or seeking financial success, but the intentions driving that pursuit must be carefully examined. Does it come from a place oriented towards worshipping love, or worshipping money and power? Is it to be able to get married, raise a beautiful family, exist in modest comfort and have the means to engage philanthropically with our society? Or is it to have the best material goods available on the market, the finest yachts, cars and clothing, and to always feel like the most dominant presence in the room?

A life of love is the only path that leads to genuine fulfillment. I’ve tried to move more deliberately in that direction. Though I still find myself, especially in moments of insecurity, slipping back toward the pull of money and power, even if less than before. It’s a tension we all carry. But if each of us continues to confront it with honesty and intention, we can begin to shape a better, more humane world.

Are March Madness Seeds Biased?

On Sunday, March 15, millions of college basketball fans tuned into a tradition commonly referred to as “Selection Sunday” with the hopes that their team would be called out to be seeded into the 2026 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tournaments. For context, a seed refers to a team’s ranking within the four regions that teams are sorted into: East, South, West and Midwest. Each region contains 16 teams, for a total of 64 bids. The Last Four refer to the final teams to receive an at-large bid, meaning they must play each other to earn a spot in the first round of the tournament. The Villanova men’s basketball team was an eight-seed this year, while the women’s team was a 10-seed.

Lots of students think that the NCAA’s team placement is biased. One of the hottest teams this season was Miami University’s men’s team, which ended its regular season schedule undefeated with 31 wins. From the outside, someone who has not seen much college basketball could easily argue that this fact alone attests to why Miami deserved a higher

seed than it received and that this record would send the team far into the tournament. In contrast, Miami found itself in the last four on Selection Sunday. As a result, it was required to play against Southern Methodist University (SMU) on March 18 and won, 89-79. However, it was defeated by Tennessee in the first round of the tournament.

Using this information, it becomes easier to analyze how at-large bids are granted to teams and why their seeds are what they are. Although Miami ended its regular season undefeated, the teams it played were less challenging due to the conference it is in. In contrast, schools in the Big Ten conference, such as Michigan and Ohio State, received at-large bids before Miami, even though they did not go undefeated because of the talent within the conference.

Two schools within the Big East Conference have been competitive against each other in recent years: St. John’s and University of Connecticut (UConn). St. John’s cemented itself as a school to watch out for after its men’s basketball team won the Big East Tournament last year, granting it an automatic at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Although it fell short of the University of

Arkansas in the second round last year, St. John’s defeated UConn once again this year to win the Big East Tournament for the second consecutive year. Regardless, on “Selection Sunday,” fans watched as UConn was slotted as a two-seed while St. John’s was named the fiveseed for the North. This left some fans slightly confused. Although

UConn has a longer legacy than St. John’s and won more national titles, shouldn’t the fact that St. John’s won the Big East Tournament give it a higher rank?

Although these questions are all valid, they will never truly be answered. It is more important to focus on the team’s individual accomplishments than on comparing its placement.

EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

KAILEY FAHY

Editor-in-Chief

DYLAN JOHNSON

Editor-in-Chief

SOPHIE LATESSA

Managing Editor

AVERY CHALK

Opinion Editor

EMMA TAYLOR

Opinion Editor

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. Letters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions become property of The Villanovan and are subject to editing for clarity and space.

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.

How Villanova Uplifts Women Year-Round

Kaitlin Lawrenson

Staff Writer

Each March, colleges and universities across the country celebrate Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the achievements, resilience and contributions of women throughout history. At Villanova, this month takes on a particularly meaningful role, as campus organizations and students come together to highlight gender equity, leadership and community support.

At the heart of these efforts is the University’s commitment to fostering spaces where women can grow academically, professionally and personally. One of the most impactful resources contributing to this mission is the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership. The institute works to advance gender equity and leadership development by offering programs, mentorship opportunities and networking initiatives that empower students to become changemakers both on campus and beyond.

During Women’s History Month, the McNulty Institute often plays a central role in organizing events that bring the community together. From speaker panels featur-

ing female leaders to workshops on career development and advocacy, these initiatives encourage students to reflect on the progress women have made while also acknowledging the work that lies ahead. The institute’s emphasis on “leadership in action” reinforces Villanova’s broader mission of service and social responsibility.

In addition to institutional programming, student-led organizations help bring Women’s History Month to life across campus. Groups like She’s the First and The Space host fundraisers, discussions and educational events that address issues such as global education for girls and reproductive justice. These organizations not only raise awareness but also create opportunities for students to engage directly with important social issues.

Another key component of Women’s History Month at Villanova is the sense of community cultivated through dedicated campus spaces such as the Women’s Center. While programming may vary from year to year, the Women’s Center is a welcoming environment where students can gather, share experiences and access resources related to gender equity and personal well-being. Spaces like this are essential in creating an inclusive campus culture, providing

both support and empowerment for students navigating academic and social challenges.

The Women’s Center also acts as a hub for dialogue. Whether through informal conversations or structured events, it encourages students to explore topics such as identity, leadership and intersectionality. This aligns with Villanova’s broader efforts to create an environment where all voices are heard and valued. By offering a space dedicated to these conversations, the University reinforces its commitment to supporting women in meaningful and tangible ways.

Beyond campus spaces, initiatives like the Villanova Women’s Professional Network further expand opportunities for connection and growth. The network brings together students, faculty, staff and alumnae to foster mentorship and professional development. Its goal is to ensure that women at Villanova not only succeed during their time on campus but continue to thrive long after graduation.

For many students, Women’s History Month is not just about attending events. It is about feeling seen and supported within the campus community. Sophomore communications major Emily Carter shared how impactful this time of year can be.

“Women’s History Month

at Villanova makes you realize how many strong, inspiring women are around you every day,” Carter said. “Going to events at the Women’s Center and hearing different perspectives has made me feel more confident in my own voice and future.”

Experiences like Carter’s highlight the importance of visibility and representation. By celebrating women’s achievements and creating spaces for dialogue, Villanova helps students recognize their own potential and the value of their contributions.

Women’s History Month reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to gender equity and empowerment. Through resources such as the Women’s Center, the McNulty Institute and student-led organizations, the campus fosters a culture where women are encouraged to lead, innovate and support one another.

As March comes to a close, the message remains clear: celebrating women should not be limited to one month. Instead, it should serve as a reminder of the importance of continuing these conversations and efforts year-round. At Villanova, that commitment is evident in the programs, spaces and people who work every day to ensure that women’s voices are heard and their achievements recognized.

Lauren Armstrong Senior Columnist

In 2013, Joe McDonough came to Villanova University to share information about the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation with students for the first time. It was an experience that became tradition.

In the 13 years since, $4,758,944 has been raised through Villanova’s chapter of the B+ Foundation, NOVAdance.

The Foundation, which is named after Joe McDonough’s son Andrew, aims to raise money and awareness for families battling or who have battled a case of pediatric cancer. The foundation’s namesake, Andrew, fought a 167-day battle with AML Leukemia before passing away in 2007. Andrew’s blood type was B+, and that became his and his family’s motto.

After Andrew’s passing, the McDonough family has not stopped their efforts to ensure other families are taken care of and supported throughout the hard times during these diagnoses and beyond.

After hearing McDonough’s talk to students, a member of Sigma Nu and a member of Delta Delta Delta banded together to bring the B+ Foundation to Villanova, and NOVAdance was born.

In their inaugural year, their goal was for 350 students to become involved and to raise $20,000. In 2025, the Jake Nevin Field House was packed as the committee revealed that $708,269.10 were raised. This year, the fundraising goal is $800,000.

This year, the Day Of dance marathon will be taking place on the Cabrini campus. But what has happened in the years that have led to NOVAdance today?

Eighteen B+ Heroes have been matched with Villanova organizations, alongside forever Hero Andrew. Millions of dollars have been raised. NOVAdance has hosted countless tabling events and dine-out days.

While there were setbacks due to COVID-19, NOVAdance has not missed a year of the DayOf since the tradition began. Instead, the Day-Of was moved to

History of NOVAdance

Zoom in 2020 and hosted outdoors in 2021. Fundraising efforts have increased year after year.

The $800,000 goal is ambitious, yet current Co-Executive Directors (CEDs) Grant LeMay and Annie O’Brien believe NOVAdance will continue to grow for years to come.

“I am fairly confident that the CEDs on this campus [right now] who will lead NOVAdance to a million dollar [year],” LeMay said. “I think we are well on our way if we are able to maintain this momentum. I think it would be an honor to be a stepping stone on that path, so hopefully in a few years we will see that.”

Over the years, B+ Heroes have been connected with different Greek Life chapters and other organizations on Villanova’s campus. The first Heroes matched were Danny with Sigma Nu and Lilly with Blue Key, both paired in 2014.

The other B+ Heroes on Villanova’s campus include Christos who is paired with Alpha Phi Omega, Correll paired with Delta Delta Delta, Ellie with Alpha Chi Omega, Harry with Alpha Gamma Delta, Jack with NOVAdance Committee, James with Phi Sigma Pi, Julia with Chi Omega, Pascal with Beta Theta Pi, Sebastian with Pi Kappa Phi, Blair who is forever matched with Delta Gamma, Frankie who is forever matched with Kappa Delta, Jibil who is forever matched with Delta Del -

ta Delta and Tony who is forever matched with Alpha Phi Omega. These Heroes are joined and celebrated alongside the first forever B+ Hero, Andrew.

This year, the NOVAdance and Villanova communities welcomed two new Heroes: Alice, who is paired with Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Omar, who is paired with Phi Sigma Kappa.

The Heroes are celebrated on stage each year during Hero Hour, which will be taking place from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. this year.

“During Hero Hour, you see [the Heroes] being celebrated on stage,” LeMay said. “They are super excited, some of them are super shy about it, but backstage they are just beaming. Regardless of if they go on stage shy, backstage, they have so much energy, they are beaming, they are incredibly excited for what is about to happen.”

At the beginning of each Hero Hour, McDonough comes and speaks to those in attendance on the Day Of. Reminding the Villanova community about the reason behind the fundraising: the Heroes.

LeMay and O’Brien, both current seniors, have seen NOVAdance grow exponentially in the past four years.

“We always talk about having the privilege to be CEDs at a time when there is so much momentum in the organization overall,” O’Brien said. “Being

able to increase by $100,000 every single year that we have seen so far, and trying to do that again this year, is just kind of unfathomable. I think that we are hoping to see this momentum continue after we graduate, and I think that the move to Cabrini is a big part of this, because it means NOVAdance can continue to grow and to continue to welcome more people to the Day-Of and into involvement groups overall.”

In this year alone, NOVAdance has grown tremendously, with a record-breaking number of Engagement Coordinators (ECs) and Sidekicks, as well as growth in Greek Life and athletics participation.

Yet, NOVAdance does not work alone. For the past six years, NOVAdance has teamed up with UDance, The University of Delaware’s B+ Chapter, for their annual NOVAdance versus UDance fundraising day, during which NOVAdance raised over $120,000 in a day this past February. UDance has only beaten NOVAdance once, in 2025.

“Something super interesting is our partnership with the University of Delaware,” LeMay said. “Learning through them, they are a $2,000,000 dance marathon and have been going for 20 years. This will be their 20th dance marathon. Seeing how they have been able to sustain that growth and continue growing…I think [this] is something that we see totally happening over the next couple years.”

The work is not yet done. The week leading up to the DayOf is “Why Week”, when different organizations and members of NOVAdance will come together to continue fundraising efforts and initiatives leading up to the dance marathon, where fundraising will continue until senior members of committee reveal the fundraising total on stage.

Throughout the history of NOVAdance, many things have changed: locations, the students and Heroes in attendance, the fundraising amount, the food served, the music played, and, of course, the moves in the annual line dance. Yet, the mission is the same. Everything is done for the kids. Always.

Lauren Armstrong Senior Columnist

Seniors Grant LeMay and Annie O’Brien are the 2026 Co-Executive Directors (CEDs) of NOVAdance. Both LeMay and O’Brien have been involved with NOVAdance throughout their time at Villanova, serving in different capacities throughout the past four years. While their stories are unique, they led to the same place: being the people behind the project.

NOVAdance fundraises and spreads awareness for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. McDonough battled a 167day fight against AML Leukemia. McDonough’s blood type was B-positive, inspiring the name of the organization.

His story and positivity inspire many students to get involved with NOVAdance, where student organizations are paired with B+ Heroes and Forever B+ Heroes, to celebrate the children and families who are battling or who have battled childhood cancer.

LeMay joined the NOVAdance community in his freshman year and served as a Sidekick. Throughout his freshman year, he raised money for the organization, driving him to want to continue his involvement throughout his academic career.

As a sophomore, LeMay was one of four Morale Committee (MoCo) color captains, and as a junior, he served as the Director of HR on the NOVAdance executive board.

“Freshman year, I had no idea what NOVAdance was,” LeMay said. “One day in October [of freshman year], I walked into Bartley, and I was like, I was either going to go to the left or to the right, and I chose to go left. When I walked downstairs, I ran into my friend Parker, and I asked her what she was doing. She said she was applying to be a Sidekick. I had never heard of it. She told me, and I applied. So, I often think if I had not turned left, I do not know where I would be [now].”

For O’Brien, her involvement in NOVAdance began differently.

“I learned about NOVAdance from the Joe talk with Chi Omega as a new member,” O’Brien said.

Each year, Joe McDonough, Andrew’s father, comes to campus to talk to groups of students about the B+ Foundation.

“I remember leaving the Joe talk with great appreciation for Joe and the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation,” O’Brien said. “I think it is just such a cool thing that his talking to people can [make] you feel connected to the organization almost immediately. That motivated me to attend the Day Of, and I remember being [there] as a freshman and looking around and being like, ‘I want to be one of the people who makes this happen.’”

After attending the Day Of as a first-year student, O’Brien applied to a committee member,

The People Behind The Project

serving as a member of the operations team her sophomore year and as operations chair her junior year.

LeMay and O’Brien have been working since last Spring to ensure that this NOVAdance is both one of the most successful and enjoyable dance marathons yet.

Their goal? To fundraise over $800,000 and to continue to spread positivity and the message of the B+ Foundation throughout the Villanova Community and beyond.

“One of our main goals coming back to campus was to really execute our campaign ideas very strongly,” O’Brien said. “We boiled that down to having social media presence, on-campus presence, and kind of a bigger idea. Something new for each campaign that was going to incentivize people to want to participate.”

It was without a doubt that LeMay and O’Brien felt they were meant to aim for $800,000.

“That was like, order one of business,” LeMay said. “We were just given the titles of CED, and we sat down and were like, ‘We have to.’”

So, they started planning. The CEDs came together with other members of the Media team, Campus Presence team and Mass Communication team during production meetings, which occur two weeks before every fundraising event.

“The idea was that, obviously, it is great if we can sit around and brainstorm for an hour and come up with whatever we can, but it is way more helpful for the [teams] to come up with ideas themselves and understand them well enough to be able to communicate them out,” LeMay said.

Another aspect of planning that had to come early? The location. This year, NOVAdance will occur in the Dixon Center on the Cabrini Campus. However, this change never scared the CEDs

“I think it’s been really an exciting transition, because it kind of opened the door for us to be able to do so many new things,” O’Brien said. “We have kind of thought throughout [the process] that the logistics will follow. So we solidified a couple of the main

differences early on, being transportation, and we tried to think of some new ways to get people to Cabrini, so we are having some food trucks this year. We worked with our hospitality team to be able to execute some other fun, exciting things to make people want to come when it is a little bit farther off campus.”

The change in scenery is a positive in the eyes of LeMay and O’Brien, and to many members of the NOVAdance community.

“I think a lot of people felt that we had outgrown Jake Nevin last year, which just means that we are growing and continuing to grow, so I think that has been highly important to having those logistics follow, having people believing in this move,” O’Brien said.

The theme for this year’s dance marathon is Camp NOVAdance, inspired by summer camp and the positive energy that comes alongside that. The themes were brainstormed by the Awareness team within the committee.

“They had come to us with a few different options, and what we said to them was ‘these are all great, and we will be there either way, so we really want you to choose a theme that you feel happy about, that you are able to wholeheartedly say you love this theme’,” LeMay said. “One of them was camp-themed. And, you know, secretly to ourselves, we were like, that would be awesome. We are going off campus, this would be like a nice way to tie that all in within the theme as well.”

There are many ways to become involved with NOVAdance, including being a Day Of Dancer or joining MoCo, Sidekicks as a freshman, Engagement Coordinators (EC) as a sophomore, junior or senior, a Hero Liaison for groups on campus who are paired with a Hero, a Team Captain for other groups on campus, or as a member of committee.

“I would consider Sidekicks as like a NOVAdance 1000 [course],” LeMay said. “It is the base level of NOVAdance, and they are getting to learn a lot about what we do. The main goal for Sidekicks this year is to reach $100,000 by the end of the Day Of.”

Sidekicks is the fresh -

man-only leadership opportunity, giving first-year students a unique chance to get involved with NOVAdance from the start of their Villanova journey.

Upperclassmen can apply to be an EC.

“If Sidekicks is NOVAdance 1000, then ECs is maybe an elective in the same major,” LeMay said. “With ECs, there are four task forces: fundraising, hero-focused, engagement and outreach. Every single EC will rotate between those four task forces throughout the year.”

The ECs and Sidekicks create a majority of decorations for Hero events throughout the year and the Day Of.

Hero Liaisons work directly with the Family Relations team and the Heroes and their families, ensuring the families become familiar and comfortable with the organizations they are paired with.

Team Captains then communicate the information provided by the committee with their chapters and organizations. They also help kickstart individual organization fundraising events.

This year, LeMay and O’Brien are taking the role of a Dancer in a new direction.

“It is always something that has been kind of involved, but it is kind of like if you show up on the Day Of, you are a Dancer,” LeMay said. “This year, what we are pushing is that if you pre-register as a Dancer and pay your $10.00 before, you can pick up your shirt and your fanny pack [ahead of time]. You are all set, ready to go.”

While there is a lot that goes into being CED and the entire year of NOVAdance, LeMay and O’Brien stay grounded through their “Whys.”

“I always boil mine down to one all-encompassing word, which is community,” O’Brien said. “Not only has NOVAdance been a community for me on campus throughout all my four years, but it is so special to be able to build a community for other people. I think that this is a community for our B+ Heroes. Not only them, but also their families, their siblings, their parents, the people in their community. If I had to boil it down to one word, I always think of NOVAdance as a community, and it has been so rewarding to help build this community throughout my time here.”

LeMay feels similarly.

“I think mine is, I would say it is for our forever B+ Heroes,” LeMay said. “I think something that we have started to do really well in the past few years is having events honoring them. We had Blair, and then we had Frankie [whose families are still more involved]. I think, and this is probably relatable for almost anyone who has lost a loved one in any capacity, the idea that there could be a room of complete strangers coming and taking two hours out of their Saturday to come and remember your loved one, I think, is so, so special.”

LeMay and O’Brien’s work is not yet done and will come to life on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Dixon Center at the Cabrini Campus.

Dancing For A Difference

Sophia Thomas Staff Writer

In honor of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Villanova University’s annual NOVAdance marathon will commence this Saturday, March 28.

With the NOVAdance marathon just days away, the Villanova community is excited and ready for this long-awaited event. If students aren’t yet involved but are interested, there is still time.

The dancer program is an opportunity for students to get involved both on the day of and in the days leading up to it. The only prerequisite is a $10 donation.

The dancer program will function a bit differently this year.

Preregistration is available through the NOVAdance site. Go to novadance.org. Press “sign up/donate.” In the search bar, at the top of the page, type “dancer.” Click on “dancer,” and more information regarding preregistration will be provided.

Grace Mougalian has been involved with NOVAdance for two years. She was first inspired upon hearing the infamous “Joe Talk” last year, given to all new members of Greek Life organizations every year. This year, she took her involvement a step further and is now a member of the NOVAdance Morale Team Committee, representing the Green Team.

With the dancer program, students are encouraged to pre-register. However, volunteers are also welcome to show up at the door on the day of the event. As long as they have their $10 donation, they will be accepted into the program for the 12-hour marathon. Students can stay as long as they’d like.

Mougalian encourages students to take part. The dancer program offers an excellent oppor-

tunity for students to understand how NOVAdance operates, inspiring them to become even further involved in subsequent years.

“What matters most to all of us is the goal that we are working towards,” Mougalian said.

Mougalian encourages everyone already involved to continue “spreading the B+ message,” especially in these days leading up.

For anyone still debating taking part in the dancer program

this Saturday, Mougalian encourages students to talk with volunteers previously involved in NOVAdance.

“Everyone contributing to NOVAdance is super passionate about it and would be happy to answer any questions,” Mougalian said.

Mougalian describes the impact that meeting the B+ Heroes has on Villanovans. Having the opportunity to spend quality time with the Heroes and learning about their individual stories is what creates such a visible impact.

“You get a more personal, intimate experience when you are able to see the families you are helping directly,” Mougalian said.

Mougalian’s team works extremely well together. She insists that working with such an enthusiastic team is what has made the process leading up to NOVAdance so exciting.

“Right now, everything is NOVAdance to me,” Mougalian said. “Going into it, I could never imagine the impact NOVAdance would have on my own life.”

There is still time to get involved. The dancer program is open to anyone. Preregister now and get a head start on spreading the B+ message.

“We are such a welcoming community here at NOVAdance,” Mougalian said. “You have the opportunity to make a difference in a really fun way.”

Visit novadance.org for more information.

All About The NOVAdance Finance Team

Finn Courtney Co-News Editor

This coming Saturday, the 13th annual NOVAdance will be hosted in the Dixon Center. An important part of the event is tracking the total money raised on the Day Of, which will go to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.

The 2025-26 NOVAdance Finance Committee is composed of seniors Aadi Sharma, Emily Daiuto, Sophia Sheldon and junior Gianna Nardini. They are responsible for tracking money raised across events.

“In total, the finance team basically manages all of our budgets in terms of spending for all the subcommittees within [NOVAdance] committee,” Committee Chair Sharma said. “And with that, we also track how much we raise monthly through campaigns, hero parties and events throughout the year. So, starting from July all the way to March and the Day of, we track all the campaigns to spreadsheets, website totals and the historicals we have, and we use all that data to make sure we hit our goals.”

While the marathon is the finance team’s most important day, it also tackles events such as UDance vs. NOVAdance, 1842 Day and World Cancer Day. It works with a variety of on-campus organizations that partner with NOVAdance to manage funds.

“There are over 30-plus

on-campus organizations,” Nardini said, “So we kind of divide our work to conquer them because we do create personalized holes and budgets for them for each month, and we’re also in charge of ensuring that they meet with them and talk about better ways that they can enhance their fundraising.”

In previous years, Power Hour and Lip Sync Hour have raised the most money. This data allows the subcommittee to predict the 12 different hours.

“Each hour, we have at least in finance, the tracking in terms of merch tracking as well as data tracking from the website,” Sharma said. “And it goes hour by hour. We track how much we raised. Each hour has its own specific theme, which allows us to get an idea of what’s going on during the day.”

While the turnaround is quick for all four members, the impact they make is incalculable.

“It’s definitely a lot of moving parts and a lot of different moving numbers, Nardini said. “So very chaotic. But gotta love the grind.”

This year, NOVAdance hopes to raise $800,000.

“I think it’s definitely optimistic going for the eight this year, because last year going for the seven was not really on our radar until the Day Of,” Sharma said. “This year, going for the eight, we have a lot of momentum, and I think the momentum’s a lot stronger. We brought in a lot more dancers this year. In terms

of people joining our campaign for NOVAdance, I think there’s about a 20% increase in dancers. And with that, honestly, we’re a lot more optimistic about hitting the eight and just kind of being able to fundraise money, get the word out, having more of a community show up.”

For Sharma, Daiuto and Sheldon, all of whom have been on this subcommittee for multiple years, NOVAdance has been a highlight of their time at Villanova.

“I was a Sidekick my freshman year [and] I loved the cause,” Daiuto said. “And I really knew that this was something I wanted to be a part of and at the highest level. I chose finance. I’ve been in finance the past three years, and I think it’s really great to be able to, as an accounting major, incorporate my career goals with this organization as well, using the skills that I have to help the greater NOVAdance community.”

Mia Galego Co-News Editor

If students are looking for a way to get involved with NOVAdance, joining the Morale Committee (MoCo) is a great option.

Led by MoCo Chair Faith Bordenabe and Team Captains, Daisy Labella, Nora Grimes, Avery Nichols and Grace Mougalian, MoCo is the largest community within the NOVAdance organization. With an emphasis on inclusion, MoCo is for students who want to get involved with NOVAdance without a high level of commitment.

NOVAdance is Villanova’s year-long fundraising campaign, in partnership with the Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation. Each spring, the fundraising concludes with a 12-hour dance marathon. In 2025, NOVAdance raised over $700,000 to support kids and families battling pediatric cancer.

Mougalian, Green Team MoCo Captain, wanted to get more involved with NOVAdance after hearing Joe McDonough speak about the foundation’s “Be Positive” message.

“The more involved I get, the more involved I want to become,” Mougalian said. “Everyone in NOVAdance is super excited to be there [and] super excited to be a part of something that’s bigger than themselves. I think meeting those people just made me feel that much more passionate about what I’m doing.”

Isabella Carlin Staff Writer

On Saturday, first-year students will have the opportunity to participate in a favorite campus tradition, NOVAdance. For many of these students, it will culminate their experience as a “Sidekick.”

Get To Know MoCo

Students can join MoCo at any time throughout the year. All they have to do is sign up, attend three meetings, raise at least $167 for the B+ Foundation and be at the dance marathon for all 12 hours.

Once signed up, students are randomly assigned to four teams: red, orange, green and blue. To exceed fundraising goals, all four MoCo teams are competing against each other for the MoCo Team Cup.

“At the end of the day, we all recognize that we’re all striving towards the same goals, a part of the same team,” Mougalian said. “But like I said, it’s just like a little bit of extra motivation if the competitiveness kind of resonates with some people.”

The winner is determined through a points system and will be announced at the end of the dance marathon.

“You can get points for engaging in the group chat, for going to meetings,” Nichols, MoCo Orange Team Captain, said. “You can get points for going to other NOVAdance events. It’s a way to get people interested, so you have the competition aspect. People love competition.”

As for the dance marathon itself, MoCo hour falls later in the day. During that time, members are encouraged to reach out to friends and family and make one final push for donations.

“Reach out to people you haven’t reached out to yet,” Nichols said. “Text your job, text your bosses, neighbors, text your babysitters, whatever you need to do to just push for extra money.”

Another aspect of marathon day for MoCo members, and what Mougalian is looking forward to most, is lip-sync hour. During the hour, teams can select a portion of a song, create a dance and put on a show for the audience.

“I think that’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Mougalian said. “We have a lot of amazing things in the works that’ll be revealed on the day of.”

Lip-sync hour falls towards the end of the marathon, just before the big reveal. At the end of the 12 hours, the total amount raised throughout the year will be announced.

“It is one of my favorite hours because I think it builds up the excitement,” Nichols said. “Everyone is crowding the stage, everyone’s cheering. I feel like it really brings everybody together and builds that excitement and anticipation for the rest of the day.”

From playing basketball with B+ heroes to dancing and singing with friends, out of all the responsibilities for MoCo members, Nichols thinks “making the most of the day” is the greatest.

This year’s dance marathon will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 28 in the Dixon Center on the Cabrini Campus.

Sidekicks Step Into The Spotlight

these people are gathered here on a Monday night at 9 p.m.,” Bory said. “Then it kind of varies what we get into, depending on what we have for the week. So I would say it’s half informational about what’s happening in the upcoming weeks, and then half activity-based.”

Sidekicks is a year-long opportunity for freshmen to join the NOVAdance community, raise awareness about pediatric cancer, and participate in fundraising efforts that benefit the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.

The 2025-26 Sidekicks team is composed of senior Lily Pflaum, junior Micah Bory and sophomores London Lindley and Maddie Alesso. These four leaders are responsible for leading a record-high 180 first-year students in the program.

“Last year I was on Sidekicks, and I really loved it,” Lindley said. “I thought it was just such a moving and special experience. It’s just been such an amazing opportunity to see all the Sidekicks grow and really learn to love the organization as much as I have.”

Since October, Sidekicks have been required to attend weekly meetings. Each Monday night, they have the opportunity to meet one another, engage with NOVAdance Committee Members, and prepare for both upcoming organization events and the day of.

“We typically start every meeting with a ‘Motivational Monday,’ which is just a reminder, a little description of one of B+ heroes just to ground ourselves in why all of

In addition to the meetings, each Sidekick is responsible for raising $167. This fundraising amount represents the 167 days that the B+ Foundation’s namesake, Andrew McDonough, battled cancer.

Sidekicks are also encouraged to participate in additional NOVAdance events, such as B+ Hero parties, to learn more about the organization and form bonds with one another and the B+ heroes.

“We also have retreats in the fall and the spring, which not only is a great bonding experience for the Sidekicks, for them to all get to know each other, but it also helps to ground them in their whys and the reason why they join NOVAdance and are getting involved,” Alesso said.

Throughout the year, Sidekicks strive toward their individual fundraising goals. However, they also work together to meet their collective $150,000 goal on the Day Of.

“One of our goals, especially this year, is to give them a more hands-on experience with planning fundraising events,” Lindley said.

“We held a Sidekicks Jogathon where we raised a bunch of money for the Sidekicks, and they had the really big role of spreading the message of NOVAdance around campus, especially trying to reach other freshmen.”

On the Day Of, Sidekicks will be in attendance for the 12-hour duration and have the chance to experience all of the different themed hours inside the Dixon Center.

“It’s different this year because NOVAdance is on Cabrini and we’ve never had NOVAdance on Cabrini either, which I think is kind of reassuring for them,” Pflaum said.

Many of the Sidekicks are also looking forward to participating in the first-ever “Sidekicks Hour” during Hour 4 and competing in the Lip Sync Competition during Hour 10.

“We’ve just tried to stress that they’ve worked so hard for about six months,” Pflaum said. “This is just kind of a time to like watch your work come to life and really just take a minute to appreciate what they’ve done and the kind of impact that they’re having.”

In between fundraising and dancing, Sidekicks will also have the chance to visit the Reflection Room to learn more about the foundation’s work, engage with B+ Heroes and witness the greater Villanova community come together to support the mission of the B+ Foundation.

“I remember last year when I was a Sidekick, my leaders were trying to explain what the “Day Of” would be like, and I didn’t quite get it,” Alesso said. So the one thing I could hope for is that everything just clicks and falls into place, and our Sidekicks really get grounded in their ‘Why’ and really just dive in.”

The Day Of will serve as both a celebration of months of fundraising and outreach efforts and a starting point for many Sidekicks’ futures with NOVAdance in the coming years.

Aiming For “8”: The Ultimate 2026 Goal

Isabella Carlin Senior Writer

NOVAdance 2026 is seeking to set a new fundraising record this Saturday and assist hundreds of families who have children battling pediatric cancer.

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation first brought the organization to campus in 2013. The goal? Raise $20,000 and have 350 participants.

Thirteen years later, NOVAdance 2026 is aiming to raise $800,000 and is capping its year-long fundraising efforts this Sunday.

Since 2023, NOVAdance has been raising approximately $100,000 more each year.

NOVAdance 2026 is led by Co-Executive Directors, Annie O’Brien and Grant LeMay. In agreement with the B+ Foundation and their advisors, the team solidified their fundraising goal to work to surpass last year’s $708,269.10 shortly after beginning their leadership in April.

“[Setting the goal] was like order one of business,” O’Brien said. “We were just given the title of CED and we sat down and we were like, we have to. I think it was something that we both felt really strongly about because it seemed like everyone on campus would be wondering about it already.”

The Director Team revealed their goal during the first NOVAdance Committee Meeting in August. They utilized the “8” as a symbol of

motivation throughout the year.

“One of our big themes throughout the year is believe in the work you’re going to do, believe in the people around you, the rest will come,” LeMay said. “And we replaced the “B” in “Believe” with an eight, which was so corny and cheesy, but we loved it.”

The fundraising goal was shared with both Engagement Coordinators and Sidekicks at their first meetings last semester. In an effort to raise more awareness about their goal, NOVAdance held the “$8 in a Day” campaign in January.

“The goal of that was to raise a little bit of money, but also to make sure that everyone on this campus knows that we’re going for $800,000,” LeMay said. “So that was just asking people to raise $8 and then give the awareness of what our goal is.”

In addition to consistent fund-

raising, the “Email Mania” campaign held in the fall was one of the most highly successful efforts of the year.

“It’s our first huge push,” O’Brien said. “And it’s kind of a really interesting way to teach people how to fundraise and the effectiveness of emails. So people kind of really came into their own. I think we sent something like 4,000 emails that day.”

The spring’s most successful campaign was UDance Day. Held as a friendly competition between University of Delaware’s program, each university sought to raise $100,000 in 24 hours. After defeating UDance, NOVAdance gained an additional $10,000 donation from their competitor.

“We had a record-breaking UDance Day this year in February,” LeMay said. “People really bought into this competition and we were able to raise $120,000 in one day,

which I think was the most in NOVAdance history besides the Day Of.” Outreach efforts will continue throughout this week as the NOVAdance team approaches their biggest fundraising day of the year: The Day Of.

“Right now, our totals are trending similarly to where we were at this point last year, so we know it’s going to take a major push down the stretch,” Finance Committee Chair Aadi Sharma said. “That said, the momentum we’re seeing feels even stronger than last year.”

During the Day Of, The NOVAdance Committee Finance Team will be responsible for monitoring all donations and tracking financial totals for the 12-hour duration.

“Some of our biggest fundraising hours include Power Hour and Lip Sync Hour,” Finance Committee member Emily Daiuto said. “The main focus of these hours is getting everyone to fundraise for their organizations and favorite performances.”

Following the 12-hour mark, NOVAdance committee members will gather on stage and reveal the grand fundraising total to the campus community.

“ [Reaching the goal] requires other people to take that step and make that choice and say, I want to make a difference,” O’Brien said. “I believe I can make a difference. And the idea that there would be enough people to do that, that would reach $800,000 would just be, I think, special beyond words.”

The Real Power Of NOVAdance Isn’t Limited To 12 Hours

Kaitlin Lawrenson Staff Writer

We attribute the essence of NOVAdance to 12 hours of dancing, fundraising and school spirit that come together to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. However, this fight among Villanova students is year-round rather than limited to the period when the main event is taking place. The ultimate fundraising goal is not feasible to achieve within the main event’s short timeframe.

Instead, Villanova students rely on numerous special days throughout the year to spark fundraising, and they open their pages months in advance to begin raising funds. Not only does this showcase the advertising power of students throughout the semester, but it also demonstrates that the care surrounding NOVAdance goes beyond a short fundraiser and reflects a tone set on campus about the importance of the cause to our community.

On Feb. 17, the NOVADance Committee held its annual NOVAdance vs. UDance Day. This initiative had our university facing off against the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation chapter at the University of Delaware. The goal was for Villanova to raise more money than Delaware within 24 hours. Whoever won not only got bragging rights but also a bonus donation from the foundation itself. This year, VU’s goal was to raise $100,000, which helped Villanova move toward its ultimate fundraising goal.

Additionally, the Committee held a “No Zeroes for Our Heroes” event this week, at which anyone with a zero on their fundraising page was encouraged to remove it. Whether it was raising a few dollars or a few hundred, the goal was to ensure that every person with a page through an organization raised some amount of money. This advertising tool is not tied to the actual dance marathon itself but rather its own fundraising entity under the NOVAdance umbrella.

These initiatives demonstrate how Villanova fundraises for NOVAdance and consistently advertises the event, not just in March when it occurs. NOVAdance events and fundraising begin in the fall and continue through the marathon. I think that this consistent advertising by Villanova students is what makes the event so successful. There is a constant commitment to raising awareness through fun events sparked by different ideas and situations, depending on the time of year, and help everyone find their “why” for their fundraising.

Alexandra Schuster, a senior and hero liaison, explained that NOVAdance is more than a single annual event. It is a year-long commitment to awareness, participation and philanthropy.

“The dedication that Villanova has for the B+ Foundation shows how much the organization means to us,” Schuster said. “There are several opportunities to contribute and participate beyond just fundraising that allow people to show their support.”

The initiative engages students in multiple ways, from volunteering to event planning to hosting their own fundraisers, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to be involved in the fight against pediatric cancer.

This continual engagement reflects a broader culture of care and dedication within the Villanova community. By providing consistent opportunities for students to participate, the NOVAdance Committee nurtures a campus-wide culture of giving, empathy and leadership. Students are not just participants. Members are advocates, organizers and ambassadors for a cause that extends well beyond the walls of the university. The combination of structured fundraising campaigns, creative events and the marathon itself ensures that the momentum for NOVAdance never stops. Ultimately, the success of NOVAdance lies not only in the 12-hour dance marathon and fundraising but also in the sustained commitment of Villanova students throughout the year. Their efforts demonstrate that advocacy for pediatric cancer is not limited to one day or one event but is an ongoing mission supported by creativity, collaboration and passion. Through year-round fundraising initiatives, friendly competitions and widespread campus engagement, Villanova students embody a dedication that is both inspiring and impactful. Their work serves as a model for how a college community can transform a single event into a year-long movement, not only raising funds but also awareness, compassion and hope for children affected by cancer.

Six Minutes, Infinite Energy: Inside NOVAdance’s Line Dance

Korin Kohen Co-Digital Editor

At Villanova, NOVAdance is more than just a single-day event. It is a year-long fundraising effort that brings together students, families and B+ Heroes in support of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. The experience builds toward a 12-hour dance marathon filled with moments of connection that stretch far beyond the dance floor. It is loud and fastpaced, but there is an underlying electricity that keeps everyone moving together.

Every hour, on the hour, that energy finds its moment. Conversations pause, water bottles are set down. NOVAdance’s iconic line dance begins, and suddenly, the entire room moves together in joyful, slightly chaotic unison.

For six minutes, participants step into something bigger than themselves. It is not about getting every move right or staying perfectly on beat. It is about joining in and sharing a rhythm that carries through the entire day. Behind those six minutes is months of work by the NOVAdance Entertainment Committee, carefully crafting a routine that is equal parts intentional, inclusive and undeniably fun.

Senior Andrew Zengeler is this year’s Entertainment Chair and has been part of this experience for four years, starting as a Sidekick his freshman year. What appears effortless in the moment is the result of

hours of planning and testing what actually works on a crowded dance floor.

“It’s about six minutes at the start of every hour,” Zengeler said. “You don’t have to be good at dancing. It’s really just about keeping the vibes high, making the hours feel a little shorter and bringing everyone together.”

The process starts long before the big day. The team meets every Tuesday, often for several hours, to build the event.

“We started with a full document of close to 50 songs,” Zengeler said. “It was about figuring out what would flow best and what people would want to dance to.”

Sasha Shanker, a senior on the Entertainment team who has also been involved since her freshman year, said the song selection was all about finding the right balance.

“We wanted a variety of songs, fast and slow, and to make sure everything was age-appropriate and fit the camp theme,” Shanker said.

Once the music is finalized, choreography takes over. Over six

weeks, the team met for even longer sessions, working through each step to make sure they had it down.

“Coming from a dance background, I had a lot of initial ideas, but the real challenge was adapting those ideas for everyone to follow,” Shanker said.

The balance between expertise and simplicity is intentional. Zengeler, who describes himself as “one of the worst dancers you’ll ever see,” serves as a built-in reality check, ensuring the dance stays accessible. The routine is filled with familiar movements, partner interactions, and group sections that encourage people to meet new ones along the way.

Theresa Scarola, a junior on the team, emphasized that inclusivity is always a main consideration.

“It’s not a strict choreography, we just saw what would be most fun and most enjoyable for everyone,” Scarola said.

This mindset extends even further with the creation of an accessible version of the dance. This is the second year NOVAdance has implemented this initiative, allowing partici-

pants of all abilities to take part in the moment.

For Katie Koslow, a sophomore and first-year committee member, that effort is most evident when looking out at the crowd.

“Everyone in the room does the dance,” Koslow said. “It’s so special to see people start to pick up the steps, and then some B+ Heroes come up on the stage and do it with us.”

These moments, when the dance shifts from something taught to something shared, are what define NOVAdance as a whole.

“Sometimes just for fun, we do the dance twice because the energy is so high,” Shanker said.

There is even a built-in slower section where the room takes a breath, a moment to pause before it all picks back up again.

“The chant at the end is probably my favorite part, you can really feel everyone come together after a long day of constant activity,” Koslow said.

The line dance achieves the marathon’s actual goal, but there is so much to experience at NOVAdance. There are performances, a lip-sync hour, and, most importantly, the time spent with B+ Heroes. Somewhere along the way, everyone has missed a step, clapped at the wrong time or turned the wrong direction, only to laugh and keep going. Those six minutes each hour are not about getting it perfect. They are about coming together, again and again, for a purpose that carries far beyond the music.

Push-Ups For A Purpose: An Unorthodox Fundraising Approach

Kate Koslow Staff Writer

Palms to the floor, body hovering over the ground. The push-up is a classic exercise, often dreaded, and a staple for physical fitness. Is the “best” push-up marked by the perfect form, how many reps one can do, or is it about something greater? Well, Villanova senior Grant LeMay is more than qualified to answer, having done well over a thousand push-ups in a single day before. No, Lemay isn’t trying to boast or brag about his intense will to work out. His effort is for one of the worthiest causes: fundraising for the fight against pediatric cancer. Any Villanova student is bound to learn about NOVAdance at one point or another, as its exciting spirit has an undeniable presence on campus. Fueled by the B+ Foundation, NOVAdance is an admirable fundraiser and provides support for families with children diagnosed with cancer. Villanova’s values of service shine through this event.

Anyone taking part in NOVAdance has probably seen LeMay at one point or another, as he is not only the Co-Executive Director of this year’s marathon, but he is also an incredibly passionate member of the NOVAdance family. He speaks to campus groups to recruit members, works with local businesses and directly supports families struggling with pediatric cancer. LeMay has an

unorthodox and impressive method to raise money: doing a push-up for every dollar he raises. We aren’t talking a mere 100, 200, or even 500 push-ups. In 2024, LeMay did 1,800 push-ups and hopes to break his record.

LeMay likes to think that his memorable involvement in NOVAdance came from sheer chance, when he ran into a friend his freshman year who had just signed up to be a Sidekick. The rest is history, as LeMay continued to work tirelessly, both mentally and physically, for this special event. As for the push-ups, he was inspired by another friend who came up with the idea, and soon LeMay took it to another level. However, in the true Villanova spirit, LeMay doesn’t do it alone, inviting his pals to join him in both his push-ups and running for Villanova’s B+ heroes.

When asked about this foundation, LeMay’s reasoning for his involvement is made clear.

“I’ve never battled cancer, but I have family members who had, and you see how taxing, how physical, how exhausting it is, and the idea that I could support someone like them by doing a fraction of that work with the running and the push-ups, I enjoy it,” LeMay shared.

In LeMay’s first year with NOVAdance, Villanova raised more than $500,000. The year after, $600,000 was raised, and last year, more than $700,000 came in. LeMay is hopeful that this year Villanova can raise more than

$800,000, a testament to his belief in the Villanova community and support. As he recalls, belief is what keeps NOVAdance running.

“NOVAdance has made me believe in a lot of things,” LeMay said. “It’s made me believe that there are more good people than you might think out there. It’s made me believe that people can be unpredictably generous, and I think that’s one of the foundations of why any sort of nonprofit can function. It’s given me a strong belief that there’s just so much good in the world.”

All participants can take a lesson from LeMay’s book and re -

member that when life gets tough, when life gets confusing and chaotic, to take part in something good. Selflessness comes in many forms. In some cases, all it takes is sending three emails to raise money. In others, it’s doing something creative and silly, maybe even physically exhausting, to bring joy to a community that is struggling. Maybe the perfect push-up isn’t about numbers or form, but about purpose. As LeMay’s time with NOVAdance comes to an end, consider what you can do for this special tradition and how you can carry forward selfless generosity.

Love On Lancaster: NOVAdance Meet-Cute

Maggie Fitzgerald Co-Culture Editor

NOVAdance is all about community. The unity of the dance marathon and unique Hero partnerships facilitate social bonds that extend far past the everyday circles of student life here on campus. It serves as an opportunity to connect with those from all walks of life, whether it be parents or the childhood Heroes themselves. It doesn’t stop there, however, the NOVAdance community allows for Villanova’s students to connect with their own peers in incredibly meaningful ways.

We’ve all heard of Villanova meet cutes in orientation groups, Stanford hallways and Ancients class partnerships: what about NOVAdance? I sat down with seniors Lily Pflaum and Kayla Schmidt to hear about the beautiful beginning of their friendship, and all thanks to NOVAdance.

Both Pflaum and Schmidt began their long careers within the organization as Sidekicks; bushy tailed, bright eyed freshmen ready to make a difference, and forge new friendships in the process.

“When I came to Villanova I didn’t really know anybody, I came from a really small high school in Boston” Pflaum said. “I wanted to get involved with different groups on campus after being at a tight knit high school and having that community.”

Pflaum heard about Sidekicks and immediately applied, completing

Anna Lonski Staff Writer

NOVAdance has become one of Villanova University’s most cherished traditions. Each year the community comes together to celebrate and support the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. This year, the dance marathon will be on Saturday, March 28, and throughout the week leading up to it, NOVAdance will celebrate the “Week of Why.”

“[The week of why] is a way everyone can re-center themselves, and really indulge in their own ‘why’,” sophomore and NOVAdance Awareness Committee member Paige Derwin said. With activities, events and celebrations taking place throughout the week, the student body has the chance to celebrate and appreciate the B+ Foundation. The organization was founded in 2007 in honor of Andrew McDonough, who passed away due to complications with childhood cancer. Throughout his fight, however, Andrew wore a smile and began to champion a motto of “Be positive.” Today, the B+ Foundation aids other kids in their fights against childhood cancer.

“NOVAdance is not only about raising money for these kids and families that are going through so much, but also spreading that awareness to the general public,” Derwin said. “There are so many kids who are diagnosed with pediatric cancer every day,

the written application and interview before being admitted to the program. More than just a sense of purpose on campus, it brought her one of her closest friends, Kayla Schmidt.

Much like Pflaum, Schmidt came to college relatively on her own, travelling across the country from San Francisco to attend Villanova.

In her first two weeks, she heard of NOVAdance through the Student Involvement Fair. After the passing of her best friend in high school due to Osteosarcoma, she felt called to join the organization.

“In that moment, I knew that I was finally going to be able to feel like I could do something to help my best friend,” Schmidt said. “Even though she was gone, I would get to spend my time at Villanova doing something so powerful for so many people, like my best friend Charlotte.”

More than just a sense of purpose and a way to honor her beloved friend, Schmidt credits NOVAdance with bringing her new friendships.

Both Fedigan residents, the two had seen each other in passing, but became closer after being the only ones admitted to the program from their dorm. What began with getting dinner and walking to meetings turned into a blossoming friendship.

“Slowly we became best friends and started doing everything together,” said Schmidt. “It was so incredible for me to be surrounded by someone like Lily who was so excited to be there to help, and totally understood my story despite not having the same experience.”

After an incredibly memorable and rewarding experience in Sidekicks their freshman year, both Pflaum and Schmidt applied to be on NOVAdance Committee. Pflaum was accepted to the Entertainment Committee, and Schmidtt to the Merch Committee. Another year of memories ensued for the pair.

“I really don’t think we would have the relationship that we have had we not been in Sidekicks together,

Villanovans’ Week Of Why

and also so many that unfortunately pass away from it, so it’s just important to spread the mission of NOVAdance.”

NOVAdance is now a major force in funding the fight against childhood cancer, raising over $700,000 in 2025 alone. The “Week of Why” helps members of NOVAdance and the general Villanova community be mindful while preparing for the dance.

“I think it’s a great way to let other students on campus who might not know much about NOVAdance learn what it’s about,” Derwin said.

Every day this week, NOVAdance has an event planned. The festivities begin on Sunday, March 22, with a pop-up flower shop in collaboration with Chi Omega’s hero, Julia. The rest of the week includes activities from lantern lighting to friendship bracelet making. Follow the NOVAdance team on Instagram (@nova_dance) or keep an eye on their website (https://www.novadance.org/) for more info.

“Overall, this whole week our goal is to just build excitement for the dance marathon but also just let everyone on campus know that NOVAdance is big, it’s important and it’s something that I think everyone should be involved with,” Derwin said.

NOVAdance is not just a day or a week. It’s an ongoing commitment to staying mindful and positive, just like the B+ heroes. If you get the chance, stop by one of the events, recenter and

then been on Committee.”

Pflaum went on to serve on the Campus Recruitment Team her junior year and is ending her tenure as Sidekicks Chair. Schmidt, however, became a part of the Merch Team and is now Merch Chair in her senior year.

“Lily and I grew together throughout our four years of NOVAdance, our Whys grew, they changed, they evolved, and we changed as people,” Schmidt said. “We have never been closer than we are right now.”

While they knew of each other before coming together as Sidekicks, Pflaum credits the depth and strength of their friendship to the organization.

“In the past four years, so much of our friendship has been about our involvement in NOVAdance,” Pflaum said. “It has been a group outside all of our other friends.”

Their friendship has continued to reach new heights throughout their time at Villanova, and outside just the confines of NOVAdance. In addition to attending NOVAdance events in tandem, the pair have even travelled around the world together.

“I feel extremely lucky to have found one of my best friends, among so many others, through an organization that does so much good. NOVAdance has shaped so much of both of our experiences at villanova and I credit so much of our friendship to NOVAdance and our past 4 years being involved, I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Pflaum said.

Cat Appetite: Bite By Bite, Beat By Beat

Korin Kohen Co-Digital Editor

No matter how passionate you are, a 12-hour dance marathon is bound to test your stamina, and somewhere around hour four, staying energized becomes just as important as finding the rhythm.

Villanova’s annual NOVAdance is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in this electric event, bringing students together for a full day of movement, emotion and support for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. Somewhere between the music and the long hours, one thing becomes clear: staying properly fueled is not optional but is part of the strategy.

Behind the Scenes

For junior Lily Frick, NOVAdance Hospitality Chair, this extensive operation is anything but effortless. It takes months of outreach, planning and persistence to ensure no participants hit a wall halfway through the event.

“I manage all the food and raffle donations,” Frick said. “We reach out to around 200 vendors and receive all resources through a zero-dollar budget.”

You would never guess it from what ends up on the tables. As the hours build, the food becomes part of the flow: always shifting and always ready.

What’s On the Table

Though a large portion of

the donations comes from Villanova’s Dining Services, many vendors contribute, creating an almost overwhelming array of options.

“We get food from places like Krispy Kreme, The Bakery House, Spread Bagelry, UpRyes, Chick-fil-A, Camp Co, Zesto’s, Wawa and Center City pretzels,” Frick said.

From pizza and hoagies to pastries and Philadelphia-style soft pretzels, the lineup covers everything a person could realistically need to keep going. Some options are quick and easy. Others sustain you longer. But all of them serve a purpose once the hours start to catch up.

What matters is not just what is on the tables, but what will carry you through the day. At a certain point, food stops being something you grab in passing and becomes part of your game plan.

“Pizza is one of the best options because it loads you with carbs,” Frick said. “Wawa hoagies are also really good if you want something that will keep you going.”

Along with Frick’s personal

expertise, some options have already earned their reputation as fan favorites. Chick-fil-A rarely lasts long, and The Bakery House, a local staple, is increasingly popular.

Come As You Please

Food is served in waves, with breakfast, lunch and dinner spaced out throughout the day. But the setup is meant to work around you, not slow you down.

“The food tables are always out and full as the marathon goes on,” Frick said.

This flexibility changes how participants and B+ Heroes move through the day. Instead of stopping entirely, people step out when they need to, grab a bite and head right back in, never missing a beat.

Equally as important, hydration becomes part of this same routine. Between refill stations and options like Poppi, Hint Water, Bubbl’r, Wawa iced tea and lemonade, staying hydrated is just as essential as what is on your plate. It’s easy to get swept up in the constant motion and liveliness, but it is the fast grabs and sips that keep all the partici-

pants in it for the long run.

New This Year: A Change of

Pace

This year, NOVAdance is not just adding new food options. It is also stepping into a new space. For the first time, the event will be held on the Cabrini campus, bringing a new setting to a tradition long rooted at Jake Nevin.

Even with this shift in location, the heart of NOVAdance remains unchanged. The goal is still to keep participants fueled and present, all while coming together to support a great cause.

Three food trucks, Dunkin’, Southbound BBQ and Calaveras Street Tacos, will be featured in the event. It is all part of the hospitality team’s effort to make sure there is something for everyone, no matter what you are in the mood for or what craving you need fulfilled to keep going.

The Final Hours

As the end gets closer, it becomes less about pushing through and more about finishing strong. The crowd tightens, the music gets louder and every move carries a little more meaning.

“I am looking forward to reveal hour,” Frick said. “Seeing all of our work come together into one number and knowing how many families we are helping makes everything worth it.”

By the final stretch, no one is counting the hours anymore. At NOVAdance, it is the smallest moments, a bite, a sip and a step, that carry you all the way through.

NOVAdance Merch: The Stars Behind The Scenes

Ciara Dursee Co-Digital Editor

From T-shirts to limited-edition crewnecks, NOVAdance merchandise has become an integral part of the annual dance marathon and one of its most effective fundraising tools.

Each year, NOVAdance merchandise does more than just fill the welcome tables on the day of the event. The apparel designed months in advance has become a staple of the student-run dance marathon. The merchandise team creatively collaborates to create T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, other accessories and a surprise item that students will get to see on the day of.

In addition to in-person sales, much of the merchandise will also be available through an online storefront allowing students to purchase items even after the event if sizes sell out.

Behind the scenes is a small committee responsible for designing, producing and selling every piece they create. This year, the effort is led by the senior Merchandise Chair and two sophomores, who oversee the creative direction and logistics of the operation. They make it all happen.

Planning begins early summer, long before the theme is revealed. The committee gathers

inspiration anywhere from Pinterest to TikTok or campus clubs to sorority merch. Once the designs are finalized, they are sent to long-time partner who works for Clothes On, who then delivers the final products to NOVAdance’s PR director.

For senior Kayla Schmidt, the merchandise committee has turned out to be more than what she could have imagined it to be for her Villanova experience. What started as an aimless walk through the involvement fair her second week of freshman year, eventually placed her at the center of one of NOVAdance’s most visible traditions.

The merch committee was a new addition to the NOVAdance Schmidt’s sophomore year.

“Candidly, when I applied at the end of my freshman year for a committee, I didn’t put the merch down for one of my choices.” Schmidt said. “At first I was upset that this is what I got chosen for, but after practicing with designing T-shirts and stickers, it was fun having so much creative control.”

Schmidt switched to the media team her junior year, but enjoyed the innovative side of merch so much she decided to return for her final year at Villanova.

“I’ve always loved surprises.” Schmidt said. “Being able to design the merch and surprise everyone else on the committee is my favorite part.”

The sense of anticipation has become a defining feature of the merchandise experience. From sneak peeks to the final reveal, each item contributes to the energy of the event. This year’s theme being “Where Positive Fuels the Fire” signifies the consistent purpose of bringing people together.

“Looking back, one of my

favorite parts is hearing why other people are here and why they wanted to be a part of NOVAdance.” Schmidt said. “The beautiful part is getting to be surrounded by all these people working just as hard as you to make a difference.” Be sure to indulge in the merch at this year’s NOVAdance event on Saturday, March 28.

NOVAdance Moves To Cabrini: The Logistics

Natalie Manzo Staff Writer

For the first time in 12 years, NOVAdance will host its annual dance marathon at the Dixon Center on Villanova’s Cabrini campus instead of the Jake Nevin Field House.

The relocation follows ongoing renovations to Jake Nevin Field House and growing attendance at the dance marathon. Discussions about the move began after last year’s event, and NOVAdance committee members toured the Cabrini campus at the end of the 2024-25 school year to see the facilities.

“I think it’s a great way, from Villanova’s perspective, to get students over to Cabrini and showcase all that it has to offer, and it’s equally beneficial for us,” NOVAdance operations chair Pat Cregan said.

While the university decided to move the marathon’s location, NOVAdance committee members and their Villanova and B+ advisors were involved in the conversations.

“The university is renovating Jake Nevin, and they did not believe that it would have the capacity to host our event this year,” co-executive director of NOVAdance Grant Lemay said. “At the same time, part of the reason we moved was because the capacity was getting too small.”

“I was on the operations team last year, so I got a firsthand look at how NOVAdance was really functioning within Jake Nevin, and what we saw is that we were just outgrowing it,” Cregan said.

Buses will run from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the day of the dance marathon, Saturday, March 28. Buses will pick up students every 20 minutes from Bartley Exchange and bring them to the Dixon Center.

“We hope that we’ve built up enough energy and excitement on this campus that people are willing to take that 15-minute bus ride instead of the five-minute walk to Jake Nevin,” Lemay said.

Hosting the dance marathon at this location offers new opportunities. In past years, Jake Nevin Field House was used the week leading up to the event, limiting the setup time.

Because no one else is using the facility on the Cabrini campus, NOVAdance members will have more time to organize and decorate the new space.

“Cabrini, I think, is just generally a nicer facility,” NOVAdance logistics director Annie Carr said. “It’s newer. It’s updated. The bathrooms are nicer. We have different spaces, so the reflection room will be in a new area. We have more hallway space to decorate.”

In addition to these opportunities, there have also been challenges in hosting the event in a new space.

“The biggest challenge is the unknown,” Carr said. “We’re so used to reusing the same layouts and signage and things, so it’s been an undertaking to be creative and think about what’s different. We can’t use the same plan we’ve used for the past several years.”

The location change has been communicated to students through emails, social media content and flyers.

NOVAdance committee members hope that student attendance at the dance marathon will remain similar to last year’s event despite the move off campus.

“It’s the exact same amazing event that people enjoyed,” co-executive director of NOVAdance Annie O’Brien said. “It’s just maybe ten minutes farther. We’re biased, but it’s definitely worth the extra few minutes.”

Is NOVAdance Moving To Cabrini A Good Idea?

Camila Caruso Staff Writer

For more than a decade, the Villanova community has gathered to honor the most salient value that represents our community: caritas.

NOVAdance is a student-run dance marathon and fundraising event that lasts for a whole day. The goal of this initiative is to raise money to support families affected by pediatric cancer and for cancer research. NOVAdance transcends a onetime event.

Students involved in it spend the whole year building

relationships with children and families supported by the foundation Be Positive (B+), as well as collecting funds year-round.

Usually, NOVAdance takes place at Jake Nevin Field House on Villanova Campus, a very convenient location for all students.

However, this year NOVAdance is being celebrated on the Cabrini Campus.

Many students might not appreciate this because of the unusual distance, but having Cabrini Campus as the center for NOVAdance this year is practical and symbolic.

Cabrini Campus is a newly renovated space that can facilitate a more efficient event develop -

ment. Many students involved in the planning of NOVAdance find Cabrini an improvement for this initiative.

“It gives Cabrini an opportunity to be used before it is open,” Eduardo Calderon, head technician of the Villanova University Tech Crew, said. “Jake Nevin Field House is also older, and the Dixon Center has gotten a nice renovation as well. It also brings attention to Cabrini Campus as a whole. In this way, students can have an opportunity to see what the campus has to offer next semester.”

Holding one of the most meaningful traditions at Cabrini is

the perfect way to inaugurate and integrate this new campus into our university.

NOVAdance is not only an event, but also part of our identity and what we want to be as a community. The role of Cabrini Campus in our college life is still being defined, and physical spaces like it acquire meaning through the memories we build in them. NOVAdance will transform Cabrini from being an external agent to a part of Villanova and strengthen the sense of belonging.

If Cabrini is to become truly Villanova, there is no better way to begin than with a tradition that reflects who we are.

DEI Initiatives: The Day Of And Year Round

Margaret Miller Co-News Editor

NOVAdance will take place on Saturday, March 28, on Villanova’s Cabrini Campus. The annual dance marathon is the culmination of many individuals’ hard work. Internal Relations or the Inclusion Team is responsible for developing initiatives to make NOVAdance as inclusive and accessible as possible.

This committee is responsible for developing retreats for organizational leadership and bonding experiences. Abby Schuster, the chair of this group, talked about these retreats and their importance.

“Our team is in charge of leading committee retreats and bonding to make sure that our work outside and for the day-of is as inclusive and cohesive as possible,” Schuster said.

The group also sends out a monthly newsletter of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)-related topics.

“We send out monthly DEI letters that go out to a huge email blast to those separate groups within NOVAdance [hero liaisons, sidekicks, engagement coordinators, team captains] and those follow along with that monthly theme,” Schuster said. “This past month, in March, was Doctors’ Appreciation Day and highlighted some of the B+ Foundation’s doctors. Basically, they will vary throughout the month. But the whole goal of those letters is to ground committees and other organizations within

NOVAdance to be more aware of what’s going on outside.”

This NOVAdance committee is responsible for taking feedback from previous years and working to improve the organization. They were involved in making some changes for this year to include more dancers of all abilities.

“We make sure that we receive any feedback from previous years and what went well and what didn’t go well in terms of how dancers and other people felt on the day of,” Schuster said.

Schuster described one change they made this year based on feedback they received.

“We were part of the effort to introduce alternative dance moves, displayed on the bottom left corner during the line dance, which was not previously there before, so that participants with physical limitations can fully engage,” Schuster said. “These dance moves can be done or followed

along with while sitting down.”

Shuster emphasized that presence and positivity on the day of the main event are more important than the ability to stand the entire time.

“We care more that you get the mission and are just showing up when you can and however long you can,” Schuster said.

She also noted another initiative, the Reflection Room. It is a low-sensory area where individuals can read and reflect on stories from recipients of the organization’s donations.

“We also do have our Reflection Room too which is a quiet space outside of the main room where dancers or participants can go and take some time and reflect and read stories from recipients of the B+ foundation and it’s a super impactful room that also does create another space for people that are probably anxious in large crowds to take some time and still learn about the B+ Foundation

and NOVAdance without being in an overwhelming space,” Schuster said.

She also noted other ways in which NOVAdance 2026 will be inclusive and accessible to all guests.

“In terms of transportation, getting there on the day of is super accessible and free,” Schuster said. “In terms of other spaces, it’s going to be a lot bigger room or gymnasium than Jake Nevin. I think that there is going to be a lot more space and a lot more places for people to sit.”

Schuster also noted that they are doing everything possible to ensure the new setup works for everyone.

“We’re all going to be working together and figuring out what this new version of NOVAdance is going to look like and, of course, making it as accessible and easy for new participants to come and see what this day is all about,” Schuster said. “For right now, we are doing everything we can to make this the best yet.”

Overall, the Inclusion Team has developed several initiatives and programs to make NOVAdance more inclusive for all people participating. They have made a conscious effort to ensure the experience is enjoyable for all people by considering feedback.

Schuster described her favorite part of the day.

“It is truly when people come and see what we do for the first time,” Schuster said. “I know organization-wise we are always running events throughout the year, but it’s truly super special to see it click for other people [and] to see the energy in the room.”

Greek Life: Fundraising Power And Personal Connections

Lauren Armstrong Senior Columnist

When the B+ Foundation was first brought to Villanova in 2013, it was by two Greek life members, a Sigma Nu and a Delta Delta Delta. Since then, 12 greek life chapters on campus have been paired with B+ Heroes and greek life has positively impacted the fundraising efforts each year since.

This year, the greek life co-chairs consist of sophomore Angelina Membiela, juniors Olivia Farrell and Bridget Dougherty and senior Milly Greenan. They work under and with the recruitment director, Alex Sperling.

“The greek life team works directly with the greek-life team captains (TCs) to plan and execute all fundraising campaigns throughout the year,” Farrell said. “We start off each school year by selecting the TCs for each chapter that are expected to attend biweekly meetings and essentially be their advocates for NOVAdance within their own chapters.”

Each year, the members of greek life go on stage to fundraise extra money through their chapters during Power Hour.

“Power Hour this year is going to involve a family feud game with the [greek chapter] presidents,” Farrell said. “We selected different family feud questions and had the rest of NOVAdance committee answer the survey questions. All the presidents that are able to attend will be on

stage to answer the questions, and the chapters will be split evenly into two teams.”

Throughout the year, NOVAdance leans into their strong connection with greek chapters for their fundraising efforts. From their team specific fundraising initiatives like Reps Race to “8,” where chapters and organizations came together to table and fundraise under their teams, to the competitive nature of highlighting which greek organizations have fundraised the most amounts throughout the year.

“We definitely have some chapters that have consistently done extremely well with fundraising throughout the years such as Pi Kappa Phi and Kappa Delta,” Farrell said. “However, this year we have not only seen these chapters continue to succeed but multiple other chapters have tremendously improved, for example this year Phi Sigma Kappa already exceeded their fundraising goal for the year by over $15,000.”

A large part of the greek life success is the new member initiative. Each spring semester, NOVAdance brings Joe McDonough, founder of the B+ Foundation, to campus to speak to new greek life members, and to spread awareness about the organization and the story of the foundation’s namesake, his son, Andrew McDonough, who fought a 167-day battle to AML Leukemia in 2007.

“The new member campaign this year was an incredible success,” Farrell said. “Bringing in

Members of Greek Life are encouraged to get involved and show up in huge ways. Cali Carss/Villanovan Photography

a total of $58,177 within a week from Greek life alone. We definitely cannot reach our $800,000 [goal] without greek life putting in their work.”

This year, each greek life co-chair works specifically with four-to-five chapters from both the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic sororities, and their TCs.

The TCs for these organizations chose their chapter’s fundraising goals, and the greek life chairs help assist them in reaching that number.

“I realized how much the TCs and Hero Liaisons (HLs)

really do for their chapters’ fundraising efforts,” Farrell said. “Having a strong set of TCs can really make or break your fundraising goals, and this year our TCs have exceeded expectations. Working with them has been my favorite part of my job as greek life cochair.”

At the end of the “Day Of,” the senior members of committee will gather on stage and reveal the final fundraising total for the 2026 NOVAdance. Without the work of the members of Greek life and the Greek life co-chairs, the total would be vastly different.

Letters From Lauren: Dear NOVAdance

Lauren Armstrong Senior Columnist

Dear NOVAdance,

Each spring, the Villanova community comes together to host a 12-hour dance marathon, which celebrates the year-long fundraising efforts for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation through Villanova’s B+ chapter, NOVAdance. Connecting B+ Heroes to the Villanova community, raising money and awareness for pediatric cancer and sharing their “Whys” is only part of why members of committee choose to become involved.

NOVAdance does more than fundraise money for families and children. It creates a family of individuals from all paths who come together under one common cause. But who better to explain this feeling than senior members of the NOVAdance committee themselves?

Dear NOVAdance,

Over the past four years, NOVAdance has shown me what it looks like when a community comes together with real purpose, heart and drive in support of something bigger than themselves. It has been incredible to watch so many students and supporters rally around the B+ Heroes and their families with so much love and energy.

NOVAdance has taught me about leadership, service and the power of showing up with something as simple as a smile. More than anything, it has reminded me that the impact we make is rooted in genuine care for each other as human beings.

With love, Jugat Singh, Corporate Sponsorship Chair 2026

Dear NOVAdance,

Thank you for giving me a home at Villanova. Within the walls of the East Lounge, it is truly the people who make this place and bring the mission to life. I NOVAdance to spread strength to even the strongest people who need support when life turns upside down. I NOVAdance for my forever best friend, my dad. I NOVAdance for more smiles. It has been an honor to have been part of this incredible organization for four years and to close this chapter as Engagement Coordinator Chair. B+ forever and always. With love, Peyton Walker, Engagement Coordinator, Chair 2026

Dear NOVAdance, Thank you for being a place where we can generate so much positivity for our 19 B+ heroes, their families, B+ families across the nation and the Villanova community.

The past four years have empowered me to collaborate towards something greater than myself. You have taught me to be resilient and a light, all while supporting incredible research efforts. My time at Villanova wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you for everything, Andrew Zengeler, Entertainment Chair 2026

Dear NOVAdance, Words can’t begin to describe the impact you’ve had on me. Thank you not only for the community you’ve helped me find, but for giving us the opportunity to create community for others.

Every Hero Party planned, every “Why” I’ve had the opportunity to hear, and every inspiring family I’ve met has shown me a passion that will extend far beyond my time at Villanova.

Thank you for being the reason behind so many smiles, laughs and the light that reaches on and off the “Day Of” dance floor. Thank you for the endless positivity that continues to inspire me every day.

With love and positivity always, Reese Trowbridge, Family Relations Co-Chair 2026

Dear NOVAdance, NOVAdance has given me so many reasons why. The cause, the people and our heroes are

all reasons I will never forget my experience with NOVAdance at Villanova. I joined my freshman year, hoping to find a sense of community, and I’m leaving with family.

This organization has given me a group of people who have supported me endlessly throughout my time here. Thank you to our heroes, their families, and everyone who makes this organization so special. Even as I graduate, the cause will always live on, and the mission will stay with me wherever I go. For the kids forever.

With love, Sydney Rinaldi, Awareness Chair 2026

NOVAdance,

You are a place, a community and an organization that allows us and other Villanovans to come together to celebrate love, life and gratitude. Our Heroes are our whys, are parts of our sororities, fraternities and organizations for life. You are a space that allows kids to be kids. So, NOVAdance, thank you. Thank you for being a place where seniors have been able to see $100,000 more dollars be raised each year. A place where our Heroes can be celebrated on stage like they deserve and a place of love and unity.

With love always,

Lauren Armstrong and Senior Members of the NOVAdance Committee

Embrace The NOVAdance And Love Run Weekend

Avery Chalk Co-Opinon Editor

This weekend, students across all grades will don brightly colored T-shirts and face paint. Why? They’re suiting up for NOVAdance, Villanova’s all-day dance marathon aimed at fighting pediatric cancer.

The next day, many of the same students will lace up their sneakers for the Love Run, an annual half-marathon that snakes through the streets of Philadelphia. Paying homage to the “City of Brotherly Love,” the race is a quintessential Villanova tradition for both athletes and supporters alike.

Having two events of such caliber on the same weekend may seem daunting, especially for students hoping to participate in both. However, they serve as a testament to the values Villanova students embody. Students shouldn’t shy away from either. They should embrace what both celebrations have to offer.

This overlap is not a new phenomenon. For the past several years, the Love Run and NOVAdance have fallen on the same weekend. To maximize the fundraising window and allow time for the committee’s executive board to finalize logistics, the marathon is typically scheduled for the last Saturday before the University’s Easter Break.

The Love Run follows a similar timeline, drawing in thou -

sands of runners each spring. The result is a packed weekend, but one that enables students to rise to the occasion.

“People who attend NOVAdance for all 12 hours love the challenge of standing all day and then waking up early the next morning to do the Love Run,” says Andrew Zengeler, the Committee’s Entertainment Chair. “It’s two major goals happening in one weekend, so it can definitely be overwhelming, but it’s also super rewarding. I think it shows a lot of grit and determination.”

Zengeler’s point is correct. Villanova students are no strangers to busy schedules or long days. In fact, the training itself, whether it is months of fundraising or early-morning training runs, reflects the same underlying level of discipline and growth.

“I’ve been running for as long as I can remember, and I’m really excited to run the half [marathon] this year,” says junior Allie Jones. “It’ll be so rewarding to see all my hard work pay off. My friends are coming to cheer me on, which also makes me feel so supported.”

And, participation doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

“If you’re worried, coming to the marathon for just a few hours is totally okay,” Zengeler said. “There’s always something going on. The combination of both leaves unforgettable memories for those who choose to participate.”

Both NOVAdance and the Love Run ask participants to push

beyond their comfort zones while cultivating a sense of community. NOVAdance’s 12-hour window will be brimming with activity, from lip syncing to dance performances to everything in between. Designed to be a collective effort, it enables all members of the University to come together in support of the B+ Heroes.

The Love Run, winding through Philadelphia’s iconic neighborhoods, offers its own brand of endurance. While individual in nature, the camaraderie

between runners and the support of spectators transforms the race into a collaborative experience.

Both NOVAdance and the Love Run reflect the very best of Villanova. Both build community, and both are worth showing up for.

Whether you spend 12 hours dancing, run 13.1 miles through Philadelphia, or simply cheer on your peers, this weekend will be a reminder of what Villanova stands for. Just be sure not to sit on the sidelines.

The Operations Team: The Brains Behind The Day Of

Lauren Armstrong Senior Columnist

One of the most magical aspects of NOVAdance is the Day Of, when members of the Villanova community come together to celebrate the year-long fundraising efforts.

The Day Of space is transformed from the traditional gymnasium layout to a room that fits each year’s theme. This year’s theme is “Where Positivity Fuels The Fire”.

Behind all the work that goes into executing a successful Day Of is the operations committee. This year, it is composed of senior chair Pat Cregan, senior Sofia Llevat, junior Cooper Munro and sophomore Kaelin Damon.

The team is in charge of logistics, from crafting the layout to making sure everyone is in the correct places at the correct time and that the Day Of runs as smoothly as possible.

This year, the team faced the location change to the Cabrini campus.

“Moving the marathon to Cabrini is such a massive but exciting adjustment,” Cregan said. “We held the NOVAdance marathon at Jake Nevin for 12 years. Everyone was very comfortable with the space, and we knew the ins and outs of making it come to life. The Dixon Center is not only new to NOVAdance but also to Villanova as a whole. Therefore, there were a many unknowns when planning early on. We were not able to simply copy and paste a lot of the

things we could in years past. Luckily, we were able to get over to Cabrini for a few walkthroughs to really solidify our plan. Despite being the first team to execute NOVAdance outside of Jake Nevin, I have the utmost confidence in our team to not only do it, but do it exceptionally well.”

However, the operations team does not work alone. In fact, members work with each member of the NOVAdance committee to ensure that all aspects of the Day Of are planned and executed beyond expectations.

“One unique thing that I have really loved about being on [operations] is that we truly collaborate with many of the other subcommittees,”

Damon said. “A lot of our work involves coordinating operational efforts based on what the other subcommittees need and or want. We chat a lot with HR, the Sidekick and [engagement coordinator] leaders to plan how job groups will work on the Day Of, or ask them for help if we need more hands with a task. We also collaborated with Family Relations to plan where our B+ Heroes will enter in the new space, and really talk with all of the other subcommittees in between to chat about random questions that pop up. I love that we are able to work with so many people who are striving for the best possible day.”

While working closely with all subcommittees, the operations team

specifically works closely with the other teams on the logistics committee, led by logistics director Annie Carr.

These committees include entertainment, art, decor, hospitality and operations.

Throughout the year, the biggest task for the operations team has been the layout for this upcoming Day Of.

“This is an entirely new building with different rooms, floors and outside areas, so translating and expanding on what we have previously done has been a challenge,” Cregan said. “Especially because we did not have easy access to the Dixon Center earlier on in the planning process.”

The move to Cabrini allows NOVAdance to grow.

“I was not on committee last year, but I was able to experience NOVAdance as a Sidekick in Jake Nevin and saw firsthand the value that expanding the marathon to the Cabrini Campus would bring,” Damon said. “This move allows NOVAdance to grow into a space that truly reflects how large this organization has become. With this move, we are now working with a lot more space, more say in where things can go, and more time for setup. This move, though new, allows NOVAdance to offer so much more and have a bigger impact. All of us on the operations team had a fresh set of eyes on the new space, while still building on what we had in Nevin in the years past.”

While attending NOVAdance this year, take a moment to appreciate the work behind the scenes.

CULTURE

Reel Talk: “Six Triple Eight”

“You’re not only in the Army. You’re women, and you’re Negroes. And because you’re Negroes and women, you don’t have the luxury to be as good as the white soldiers. You have the burden to be better.”

What does it mean to be a hero? Is it legacy? Is it glory? Is it respect? Too often in this country’s history, moments of true heroism are hidden from the public. However, this doesn’t hide the true courage of their actions. If anything, it makes them all the more commendable. This was the case of the 6888th Battalion of the U.S. military, a group of African American women who dared to do the impossible with the selfless expectation of nothing in return.

Tyler Perry’s “Six Triple Eight” shares those women’s stories. Starring Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian, this film exemplifies the courage and determination behind the curtain in the final years of World War II.

On Wednesday, March 18, in Bartley Hall, the UNITAS Office of Community Engagement and VSB Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council (DUSAC) hosted a screening of “Six Triple Eight,” part of a series of film screenings exploring identity, equity and current and historical issues. Administrator Zakiya Elliott and student Ataya Jenkins, who were organizers for this event, believe in the incredible power of sharing these stories to

celebrate Women’s History Month.

The story is introduced by Lena, an African American young woman who is grieving her friend and love lost in the war. When Lena decides to enlist in the Army, she is sent to a U.S. training camp for African American men and women in Georgia. Here, she meets her training officer, Captain Charity Adams (Kerry Washington), who strengthens both the bodies and spirits of these young women, preparing them for what lies ahead: disrespect, scrutiny and the requirement to make the impossible possible.

During this time, the American Army was facing a serious issue overseas. Letters were not being received by or sent from soldiers

and their loved ones, meaning morale was devastatingly low during a desperate time of war. Several other battalions were sent to do the job, yet it was deemed logistically impossible.

Eventually, the 6888th Battalion was given the task, with nothing but the expectation of failure. It was given only six months to get to Europe, create a post office and sort out more than two years of undelivered mail in horrible and dangerous conditions. During this time, this group showed unmatched determination, intelligence and consistency to accomplish their goal, ultimately delivering an astonishing 17 million pieces of mail in just 90 days.

However, this historical

moment was left unrecognized for decades until First Lady Michelle Obama honored these women in 2009.

This film acts as a beautiful and much-needed dedication to share their story and honor their powerful commitment to their country.

Elliott acknowledged the added significance of sharing this story in the Villanova Business School, a predominantly white and male environment.

“It’s important to bring awareness to cultures that may not necessarily be brought to the forefront in the classroom, or even around events in the building,” Elliott said. “At least we get to lean on the fact that we have heritage months to celebrate these select populations.”

This event explores just one example of extraordinary actions by women throughout history that are often hidden from the spotlight. Throughout our lives, as we walk through homes, schools and future careers, don’t forget to acknowledge the great women who improve our world.

If a story as remarkable as the 6888th Battalion spent decades being overlooked, imagine how many others remain untold. Honoring these women doesn’t just help us remember the past but also inspires us all to change the definition of heroism moving forward.

True heroes don’t wait for legacy, glory or even respect. They forge their own paths to change the world, even when they are left out of the history books.

Campus Theatre: Review Of “Little Women”

Eden Rosini Staff Writer

Villanova Student Theatre’s stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s famous novel “Little Women” was sure to delight its audience. From the joy of Meg March’s wedding to the sadness of the tragedy determining Beth’s fate, every second of the play evoked strong feelings within all those seated in Villanova’s Court Theatre.

“Little Women” tells the story of the March sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth. Each sister has her own special quality, with Jo being the most headstrong of the four.

When Marmie, the mother of the four, leaves to tend to her wounded husband, Meg steps up as the maternal figure for the sisters. Amy is the youngest sister, characterized by her energy and quick bursts of emotion towards her sisters. And Beth is the kindest sister.

Zoë Magee, who played Jo March, captured her character’s spunky and ambitious energy throughout the production. When the March family is struck by the tragedy of Beth’s death from scarlet fever, Jo is saddened, confused and heartbroken. Magee’s heaving sobs and sluggish movements captured everything the audience needed to

know about her saddened condition. In more upbeat times, Magee perfectly acted out Jo’s ambition to become a writer. Her movements and diction were strong, brisk and clear, and captured Jo’s determination to prove herself to those around her.

The set was humble and predominantly displayed the March house. The pink walls and antique frames depicted the time period and feminine energy of the story. When scenes took place in other locations, such as the Hummel household, a simple green flat served as the background. Occasionally, supporting actors were spotted bringing set pieces on and

off the stage for scenes outside of the March house. A costume hanger as the grab rails for the railroad car was an effective and resourceful use of props. Falling in love is a resonant theme of the story. Theodore Laurence, “Laurie,” plays a big role, as he falls in love with Jo. After being rejected by Jo, he goes abroad to Europe and ends up falling in love with Amy instead. Actor Alex Potter portrayed Laurie as charismatic, animated and dramatic, frequently changing his voice’s volume and using large movements to express his emotions. Additionally, the loveable Meg and John Brooke met at an elegant soirée. Mr. Brooke

accompanied Meg home after she sprained her ankle dancing. The two soon get married and have children together. Their chemistry is clear, as they sparked laughs and audible reactions from the audience. Their timing was very much in tune, showing their clear compatibility. This life path, contrasted with Jo’s ambition to become a famous writer, highlighted the theme of figuring out one’s own path.

The chemistry between the actors was undeniable. Amy’s heated sisterly anger toward Jo for not allowing her to attend the fancy soirée perfectly embraced classic sibling rivalry and quick forgiveness. When gathered around Marmie, their smiling faces and obvious affection for one another communicated their warmth and familial love.

Overall, VST’s production of “Little Women” was well done and accurate to the story. The resourcefulness of props and projections throughout the play told the story effectively and accurately, while adding a personal touch. The actors were clearly committed to their parts. Some gave the characters their own flair, and some followed the original story. Villanova’s production of “Little Women” was perfect for those who adore stories of love, sisterhood and identity.

A Capella Palooza 2026: Recapped

Cali Carss Co-Culture Editor

Continued from p. 1

emotional, and these two pop anthems were punctuated by a duet of “Reckless Driving.”

Following that powerful performance was a group that came to A Cappella Palooza with something to prove. The Belles are the newest group on campus, formed just last semester by sophomores Maya Harner and Katie Koslow. They stuck to their emerging color scheme of soft white and blue for this performance, although the songs they chose were anything but understated. The performance included an energetic rendition of “No Scrubs” from junior Annabelle McDonald. The group also performed “Heart Attack” by Demi Lovato, a vocally challenging song, which cemented their place among the massively talented a cappella groups.

The next group was the oldest co-ed one on campus: the Supernovas. Well-known for their competition prowess, the Supernovas set is highly anticipated every year. Once they walk out in their all-white outfits, everyone in the audience knows something amazing is about to happen. Their set opened with senior Hailey Falzone singing “The King’s Affirmation” by Iniko, an impactful start. They continued to impress throughout

their 10-minute set with their vocals, choreography and overall synchronization. The Supernovas competed in the ICCA Semifinals on March 21 at the Grand Opera House, but unfortunately did not make the top three.

The final group to take the stage before intermission was Nothing But Treble. This group can always be counted on to do something fun and different in their set, and the standout this year was its performance of “Cooler Than Me” by Mike Posner. A departure from the many rather emotional love songs that color A Cappella Palooza, this was a refreshing performance.

Following the 10-minute in -

termission, the first of Villanova’s two all-male groups of the night was on. The Melodics put on an exciting performance, one where they literally never seemed to stop moving. Junior Derick Denecke provided a stand-out performance of “Take Me To Church” by Hozier, earning mid-performance cheers from the audience despite the rule that dissuades them.

Next, the third and final co-ed performance of the evening was given by Measure Up. Members sparkled in their red and black outfits and performed perfectly coordinated choreography, spinning into ever-changing lines while singing in unison. Junior Bri Siochi gave a beautiful solo in her

last A Cappella Palooza performance to “Fire On Fire” by Sam Smith.

“The song selections for this year’s performances were excellent,” junior Carlie Shouldis said. “I especially liked the performance of ‘Fire On Fire,’ but each group I saw was entertaining and fun to watch.”

The penultimate group to perform was The Sirens, an all-female group who stepped out strikingly in sleek, all-black outfits. Fittingly, their first song was “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse.

The Sirens stayed in this lower, darker feeling throughout their performance, relying on the impression of full, powerful voices, especially as they moved into singing Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep.”

The final performance of A Cappella Palooza 2026 was by the Spires. Often described as Villanova’s own Treblemakers, this group is iconic for a reason. They started strong with “Cold as Ice” by Foreigner, and kept the crowd enthralled with impressive solos to “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles and “Halo” by Beyoncé during the rest of their set.

A Cappella Palooza is the kind of event that students should look forward to all year round. The level of talent and commitment in these performances is staggering, and the fact that every group is showcased in one night is truly something special.

Unpacked: Reunions And Reflections In Spain

Emma Cote Abroad Correspondent

A couple weeks ago, I took a trip to Cadiz and Seville, two Andalusian cities tucked into the south of Spain. My favorite trips are ones where I get to see the people I love in the places that they love. Spain was one of these trips.

There’s something really wonderful about being led around a new place by someone who has become well acquainted with it. Being able to just walk along and listen to stories, random fun facts and take in the novelty of it all.

There’s also a subtle pride in seeing someone you know make somewhere new home.

Due to spring break, I was unable to write about my trip to Spain. I decided to use this week to reminisce on those travels because of how much I appreciated this specific weekend.

Touching down in Seville, Spain that Friday, we called it an early night in anticipation of our early train to Cadiz. After several weekends of particularly cold adventures, I was eternally grateful for the beach that waited for us there.

In my time abroad, I’ve experienced a variety of hostels and the arbitrariness of it all never fails to amaze me. There has never been a correlation between the amount I pay and the “niceness” of the room, which has led to several unique living situations.

Cadiz was no exception to this experience. This was by far the cheapest hostel we have ever purchased, and by far the best experience. Complete with a paper map meant to actually lead you to your room, pancakes at checkout and surf lessons, there really wasn’t more that anyone could want.

We spent our time in Cadiz walking the beach, exploring the Castillo de Santa Catalina and napping. Following previous restless weeks, sleep easily caught up to us with the illusion of a “quick” break before dinner and the assistance of the salt air. Nevertheless, we were able to see the sites we had set out for within our day.

Following our time in Cadiz, we took a train back to Seville. This final night of the weekend was by far my favorite.

Because of Andalusia Day falling within this time, the narrow orange tree-lined streets were packed with parade attendees. The colorful city is lively on its own, and the crowds only added more energy to the already vibrant area.

Songs were sung, trams were overflowing and music could be heard around each corner. Our previous ambitions of shopping were certainly disrupted, but I welcomed this interruption.

Seville is my best friend Meagan’s current homebase, and seeing the ways in which she has familiarized herself with the city was a full circle sight. I can distinctly recall discussing our abroad

ambitions early on freshman year, and it’s surreal to recognize we’ve arrived at this point in our lives.

I silently followed close behind as we navigated the populated city and listened to facts about architecture, the Andalusian region, cuisine and practically everything she has been able to absorb during her stay.

Going abroad certainly leads to much self discovery and personal change, and both of us have definitely been molded by our experiences. Nevertheless, it was as if no time had lapsed since we last saw each other.

A lot of people are often

scared to embark on study abroad because of the friendships they have worked tirelessly to strengthen, maintain and develop at Villanova. This weekend was evidence of the fact that this fear should not be an inhibitor in anyone’s aspirations to go abroad. Soon enough, we’re all not going to be at Villanova anymore. Gaining new experiences is already critical on an individual level, but the best part about abroad continues to be reuniting and sharing them.

Until next time, Emma

Hey Timothee, Villanova Loves The Opera And The Ballet

Sophia Thomas Staff Writer

“No one cares” about opera and ballet. To be clear, that’s how Timothee Chalamet feels. He joked that his comments have lost him “14 cents in viewership,” throwing yet another dig at these two historical art forms that date back hundreds of years.

At Villanova, where arts programs are a significant part of student life, the remark raised numerous questions about the lasting impact of these traditionally oriented art forms in an increasingly modern society.

“The danger here is assuming that these art forms are traditional and unchanging forms,” Assistant Professor of Performance Hansel Tan said.

The opera and ballet date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, making them both classical and foundational art forms.

“As we know, musicals were derived from opera,” Tan said.

In 2023, Chalamet starred in “ Wonka”, a musical film that featured selections such as “Pure Imagination” and “Oompa Loompa,” most notably derived from the classic Broadway musical “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” Musical theater is widely known to have been inspired by many art forms, including operettas.

tional art forms such as opera and ballet, this industry would not be in existence, and many people, including Timothee Chalamet, would be out of a career.”

Naturally, the world tuned in to hear what the highly acclaimed actor had to say. If anything, Chalamet’s comments underscored the impact words can have, which is evident from the widespread backlash he received within the industry.

Amongst those who responded to his comments was Misty Copeland, one of the most well-recognized names in ballet. She commented that “it’s often mistaken when something is more popular that it’s more meaningful or impactful.”

More than 100,000 people attend George Balanchine’s production of “The Nutcracker” at the New York City Ballet each year. Renditions of this classic winter production are held across the country at a vast number of ballet companies.

Abigail Neiderer, a sophomore on the Villanova Student Musical Theater Executive Board and a member of The Villanova

“To disregard entire art forms [like opera and ballet] is to eclipse how much it has continued to evolve in really exciting ways,” Tan said.

Voices, feels very strongly that Chalamet’s comments lack a level of respect for all arts communities.

“As artists within this community, you should maintain gratitude for the performers that came before you and paved the way,” Neiderer said. “Without founda -

“These art forms are more important than simply rate of return,” Tan said. “It has human value, inherent value. It cannot simply be captured by a metric simply of capital.”

Tan’s sentiments reflect how student performers at Villanova feel. There is unmistakable value in the art forms such as opera and ballet. To disregard these forms and minimize their impact is to diminish their importance.

The Oscars: From The Red Carpet To Lancaster Avenue

Anna Lonski Staff Writer

On Sunday, March 15, the Oscars took place, celebrating the past year in film. Hosted by Conan O’Brien with performances from the casts of “Sinners” and “KPop Demon Hunters”, the event drew in about 18 million viewers, including many Villanova students.

If you missed it, One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, won Best Picture. Michael B. Jordan won the Best Actor award for his role in “Sinners”, and Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award for her role in “Hamnet”. These were all critically acclaimed, distinguished, and moving films. Yet, it seems that only a few have seen them.

“I love movies, and I do spend a lot of time watching new movies when I can, but this year I felt like I hadn’t seen a lot of the films nominated,” sophomore Megan Ronan said.

This feeling is not unique amongst students. We live in the era of streaming services, when one can watch any TV show or movie from their bed. Most people don’t go to theaters to see new movies or even watch them once they are released. So, when the Oscars commenced, no one had seen the movies, and for many, that made it increasingly hard to care about the nominees.

“I’ve felt like that the past few Oscars,” Ronan said. “Going

to the movies is so fun, but movie-going culture is practically dead these days.”

One of the biggest shocks for many this year was that “Wicked: For Good” received no nominations. When thinking of the past year in film, it’s impossible not to think of the phenomenon that this franchise created. The film made history at the box office, bringing in more than $220 million worldwide and setting a record for the biggest opening for a stage musical adaptation.

While the second part is not as well acclaimed as the first, its cultural impact is still significant enough that students expected it to be reflected in the awards circuit.

“Even though it wasn’t my favorite movie this year, the sets and costumes were incredible,” sophomore Stella Bartle said. “It felt like, for such a big film, it could’ve been recognized somehow by the academy.”

The historical drama, “Hamnet”, stood out at the Oscars this year with eight nominations. The film tells the story of William Shakespeare, his wife, Agnes, and the birth and death of their son Hamnet. Hamnet’s premature death prompted Shakespeare to write his famed play “Hamlet.” At the Oscars, Jessica Buckley took home Best Actress for her role as Agnes.

“Her delivery in the final scenes was brilliant,” freshman Antonella Mungiello said. “She depicted the grief of a mother

in such a compelling way that I forgot I was watching a movie.”

Whether you’re an avid movie watcher or just an avid Oscars watcher, the ceremony is a spectacle. Reflecting on the

Men’s Basketball Falls In First Round To Utah State

Sammie McKee Co-Sports Editor

After the Utah State men’s basketball team managed to pull away from a back-and-forth battle during the game’s final five minutes, Villanova men’s basketball fell, 86-76, to the Aggies. The loss concludes Villanova’s season and short-lived return to the March Madness Tournament.

“We got up 10, and we gave up three offensive rebounds,” Villanova head coach Kevin Willard said about the game’s final minutes. “Give them credit. They’re a veteran team, older guards. They did a great job getting in the lane, but we had our opportunities. We missed 73-71. I think we were up and we missed two layups that really hurt us… they capitalized on it.”

Villanova drew 14 fouls during the course of the game’s 40 minutes, handing 37 free throws to Utah State. Utah State made 75.7% of its free throws attempts, marking 28 of its 86 total points earned at the free throw line.

Redshirt sophomore guard Bryce Lindsay led the court with 25 points. His scoring performance falls only two points short of his season-high, 27 points, which he tallied against Sacred Heart in November.

“It wasn’t enough,” Lindsay said about his performance. “I feel like we should have gotten

that dub…I was trying to give it all for our seniors Duke [Brennan] and Devin [Askew].”

Junior guard Tyler Perkins and senior forward Duke Brennan followed on the scoresheet, tallying 15 points each.

Junior guard Mason Falslev led the Aggies, scoring 22 points. Senior guard MJ Collins Jr. followed with 20 points.

Villanova went 28-for-63 (44%) on field goal attempts, 14for-30 (47%) on three-pointers and 6-for-13 (46%) at the free throw line. In comparison, Utah State went 28-for-51 (55%) on field goal attempts, 2-for-16 (13%) on three-pointers and 28-for-37 (76%) at the free throw line.

Following tip off, Falslev opened up the scoresheet for the Aggies.

Utah State quickly found its momentum, succeeding on fastpaced transitions and selflessness in the paint.

In the half’s opening eight minutes, the Aggies tallied seven assists.

Utah State found its largest lead of the half, 22-13, with 12:14 left before halftime.

The Aggies relentless drop coverage defense forced Villanova to shoot from beyond the arc. By the ninth minute of play, 10 of Villanova’s 25 total shots had already been taken from beyond the arc.

With 9:43 left in the first

half, Malachi Palmer found backto-back three-pointers, chipping away at the Wildcats’ deficit. Brennan then found a layup and offensive rebound, before Lewis made a three-pointer, followed by a Perkins shot from beyond the arc to tie the game, 31-31.

With five minutes remaining in the half, Lindsay secured a layup, completing a 9-0 Wildcat scoring run. The two points gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game, 33-31.

Lindsay made two of his four first half three-pointers to rally the wildcat offense. By the end of the first half he led the ‘Cats, scoring 14 points.

Though Utah State scored nearly 50% of first half field goal attempts, three-pointers were the difference for the ‘Cats, giving Villanova the two point advantage, 39-37, going into intermission. Coming out of the half, the ‘Cats maintained control.

Perkins, Brennan and Palmer aided a 9-0 scoring run over 1:28 to give the ‘Cats a tenpoint advantage, their largest margin of victory during the game, over Utah State, 48-38.

Following a Utah State timeout, the Aggies managed to go on a 10-3 scoring run to cut their deficit to three points, 53-50.

With 14:14 remaining in the game, graduate guard Drake Allen stole the ball and converted a layup to tie the game, 54-54.

Falslev found Utah State’s first lead of the half, 59-58, with just under seven minutes left in the game.

The teams continued to trade leads until a series of Villanova fouls let Utah State pull ahead, 78-73, with 2:53 remaining.

Energy of Utah State fans who had made the 800-mile journey to Viejas Arena filled the stadium as Villanova committed two more turnovers in the game’s final minutes, ending the game 8676.

The match up concluded the Villanova men’s basketball 2025-26 season.

“There weren’t a lot of expectations early in the year. A lot of people were talking down about them. I think they were way beyond what everyone thought they were going to be,” Willard said when asked about what he wants people to remember about the 2025-26 roster. “This group was one of the best I’ve ever had coaching. I looked forward to getting to practice every day.I looked forward to games every day. They were a really good group, and I think they represented the university at a very high level.”

Following the national championship game, the NCAA transfer portal will reopen on April 6, subjecting possible additions and departures to and from the program.

Track And Field Competes At Penn Challenge

Genna Cottingham Staff Writer

On Saturday, March 21, Villanova’s track and field teams commenced their outdoor seasons at the Penn Challenge in Philadelphia. The meet allowed athletes to compete on a smaller-scale, less competitive stage.

The women’s runners dominated the mile and 800-meter races. Freshman Sophia McInnes ran a 4:38.49 mile, claiming first place. Freshman Gabby Pistner finished first in the 800-meter with a time of 2:11.43.

“It was competitive for developing freshmen,” women’s head coach Gina Procaccio said. “It was an opportunity where you’re coming into a division one program, especially like Villanova, you know, it’s hard to win a race. They were able to be pushed and be competitive and still come out on top in their races.”

Freshman Zoe Mosher finished second in the mile with a personal best time of 4:29.95. Freshman Maeve Smith also earned a personal best in the mile with a fourth-place finish of 4:32.65. Junior Therese Trainor rounded out the personal bests earned in the event with a 4:42.89 finish.

Freshman Ty Hoffmann made his collegiate debut in the men’s 400-meter, finishing fourth

place with a 49.32 finish. Junior Matthew Griffin earned fifth place in the event, finishing in 49.35. During the 800-meter, Smith earned another personal best, finishing in fourth place in 2:17.06. Only six-tenths of a second behind her was Mosher. Her 2:17.66 finish earned her fifth place and another personal best at the meet. Senior Kinsey Pogue put up her fastest collegiate time in the event at 2:22.99.

Villanova had several field athletes with top-five performances.

Graduate student Tristan Bolinsky earned fourth place in the hammer throw at 56.88 meters. He returned to the field to receive fifth

place in discus, throwing 46.85 meters. Freshman Yianni Papanikolas finished fifth in the shot put at 16.03 meters.

“People that were at nationals, they need a few weeks off,” men’s head coach Marcus O’Sullivan said. “This is where it becomes taxing on coaches because you’re not all in sync and you’re trying to do the best you can to kind of accommodate athletes that may need the jumps or may need the hurdles or may need the sprints.”

Outdoor meets in the early weeks of the season allow less experienced athletes to perform at lower stakes, thus giving them better

opportunities to place.

“As a coach, you’re just catching your breath because you’re just coming back from Nationals,” O’Sullivan said. “You’re starting already, but not with your National group, with the group that’s been off for a few weeks.”

Freshman Jesslyn Bentum recorded a personal best of 11.55 meters in shot put to get second place. Freshman Mariana Lopez del Valle had a personal best in long jump after placing fourth at 5.56 meters. In her collegiate debut, freshman Hallie Kees earned third place in the javelin at 39.66 meters.

Freshman Jonathan Evans recorded a personal record in discus at 42.80 meters.

“There’s some freshmen [that] are coming off of high school where you pretty much race every single weekend, and you’d race like two or three events,” Procaccio said. They probably just need a little bit more races to get going.”

This weekend, Villanova track and field will compete in the Raleigh Relays and the Danny Curran Invitational. The two-day relays will begin on Thursday, March 26, and boast a competitive pool of women’s distance runners. The men’s and women’s teams will also compete in the Danny Curran Invitational in Chester, PA, from Friday, March 27, to Saturday, March 28.

Villanova Women’s Basketball Falls To Texas Tech, 57-52

Casey Healey Co-Sports Editor

On Friday, March 21, No. 10 seeded Villanova women’s basketball fell short to No. 7 seededTexas Tech in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with a final score of 57-52.

The loss concludes the 202526 season for the Wildcats.

“They were just an extremely special group and we wanted so much more for them,” head coach Denise Dillon said. “You want it more for them because I hate the idea of this team breaking up. It’s breaking up because of five tremendous young women who are finishing.”

Villanova loses five seniors after this season, including Kylee Watson, Denae Carter, Ryanne Allen, Annie Welde and Maggie Grant.

“But I know the younger ones played for them to have a great finish to their careers,” Dillon said. “Yeah, that’s a tough thing but super proud of them and I’m so grateful for what they’ve done for us as a staff and our program and the university.”

Only four Wildcats made it on the scoresheet through the entire game: sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe, junior guard Kelsey Joens, senior forward Denae Carter and junior redshirt sophomore Brynn McCurry.

Bascoe led the ‘Cats with 21 points and four rebounds. Joens added 14 points, going 4-of-6 from the three-point line.

Villanova was 20-of-54 (37%)

from field goal range, 6-of-25 (24%) from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the foul line.

Joens carried the ‘Cats through the opening quarter, making her strongest start of the season. The Iowa State transfer sank four three pointers all in the first quarter, helping Villanova to a 14-13 advantage at the end of the first. She scored 12 of her 14 total points in the first period.

“The team has instilled a lot of confidence in me to knock down big shots,” Joens said. “So just being there for them to help create things on the offensive end, draw a lot of defense, and that kind of stuff.”

The second quarter saw a few lead changes, as Texas Tech managed to go up by three with 6:21 remaining. Allen was called for two consecutive fouls which led to five total team fouls with 4:58 remaining to put Texas Tech on the line in bonus.

Villanova took another lead before Texas Tech then tied it up again at 22-22 with 2:53 remaining. With .6 remaining in the half, Bascoe committed her third foul.

The first half was low scoring for both teams, as it ended tied 26-26. Kelsey Joens led in points at the half with 12, while Bascoe with 10. Brynn McCurry was the only other player on the scoresheet, with 4. Villanova was 11-of-26 (42.3%) from field goal range and 4-of-12 (33.3%) from the three-point line.

Things continued to go backand-forth throughout the course of the third quarter. With 32 seconds

to go, Carter sank a three to put the Wildcats up one. Texas Tech came down and scored a last minute bucket, however, it did not end up counting as it went in after the buzzer.

The score at the end of the third was 41-40.

The Lady Raiders came out fast in the fourth, going on a 10-5 run that the ‘Cats struggled to keep up with. With 3:21 to go, Texas Tech went up by five points, one of its largest leads of the game.

As time began to run out, it seemed that all hope was lost for Villanova. However, with 14.2 seconds remaining, Bascoe hit a huge three to put the ‘Cats back within three points again. Right after that, Texas Tech committed an offensive foul when inbounding, giving Villanova the ball again with 13.5 on the clock.

Looking to tie things up, Carter took the three-pointer and missed.Texas Tech got the rebound and McCurry was called for a foul. From there, the Raiders were able to allow time to expire and ultimately win, 57-52.

The loss marks the end of Villanova’s 2025-26 campaign.

“It wasn’t just about getting here,” Dillon said. “We wanted to advance. Unfortunately it did not happen in our favor. That’ll definitely be the motto, the message with our returning group starting in the offseason.”

Following the National Championship, the NCAA Division I transfer portal will open on April 6 and close on April 20.

Men’s Lacrosse To Open Big East Play

Sammie McKee Co-Sports Editor

On Saturday March 28, Villanova men’s lacrosse will open Big East Conference play, taking on St. John’s in Queens, NY.

During the team’s last meeting, Villanova defeated the Red Storm, 10-7. Looking to bounce back from a three-game loss streak, a win against St. John’s is critical in getting off to a strong Big East start.

Following the matchup against St. Johns, the Wildcats will take on five teams that comprise the conference over the course of the next four weeks. The teams include St. Johns, Denver, Providence, Georgetown and Marquette.

Last year, the ‘Cats went 4-1 in conference play. Heading into the Big East Tournament last May, the team entered the competition as the No. 2 seed. Villanova ultimately advanced to the championship game, where they fell,16-8, to No. 1 seed Georgetown.

Senior captain Colin Miecher reflected on takeaways from the Georgetown game last Spring.

“We’ve consistently gotten to this point where we can play in the championship game, but we haven’t got over that hump,” Miecher said. “We really have to dig deeper into ourselves and see what we have to do to get over that hump.”

Senior captain Luke Raymond added to the reflection.

“That game, especially all

the championship games, have been very special because we’ve had some ups and downs,” Raymond said. “We’ve had some tough losses and some close ones too,” “Trying to stay even keeled through the ups and downs is something that we’re really prioritizing, so we can not get too high and not get too low and just finish out those games.”

So far, the Wildcats have collected a 3-5 record during the non-conference 2026 season. Although the ‘Cats are 0-3 at home, the team has succeeded on the road with a 3-2 record.

The remaining Big East teams enter conference play with the following records; St. John’s: (2-7); Denver: (4-4); Providence: (46); Georgetown: (3-4); Marquette: (4-4).

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

March. 17 - March. 22

Wednesday, March 17

Women’s Lacrosse vs. Stony Brook 10-18 L

Men’s Lacrosse @ Lehigh 7-14 L

Thursday, March 18

Women’s Tennis vs. St. Joseph’s 7-0 W

Softball vs. St. Joseph’s 8-0 W

Friday, March 20

Men’s Basketball vs. Utah State 76-86 L

Women’s Basketball vs. Texas Tech 52-57 L

Baseball vs. UNC Asheville 9-12 L

Softball @ Creighton 10-11 L

Saturday, March 21

Water Polo @ No.17 Marist 13-14 L

Men’s Track @ Penn Challenge no team scoring

Women’s Track @ Penn Challenge no team scoring

Women’s Lacrosse vs. Xavier 14-8 W

Baseball vs. UNC Asheville 10-4 W

Softball @ Creighton 3-11 L

Men’s Tennis vs. Marquette 2-4 L

Sunday, March 22

Water Polo vs. VMI 20-4 W

Women’s Tennis vs. St.John’s 2-5 L

Baseball vs. UNC Asheville 11-6 W

Softball @ Creighton 1-10 L

opponents,” Michener said about the non-conference season. “I think we’ve kind of learned who we are, and we’ve been harping peaking in May during conference play.”

Senior captain Jack Shoemaker is a strong presence for Villanova, serving as one of the pillars of the Wildcat defense.

In his second year as captain and first year in a new positional role, graduate attackman Luke Raymond leads the ‘Cats offense with 18 goals and three assists.

“This is my first year playing attack, so it’s a new experience for me, and I’m learning a lot, as well as with the other guys,” Raymond said. “It’s an honor [to serve as captain]. It’s fun to lead by example. I’m not the biggest rah rah and yell at guys, so I like to do the right thing when no one’s watching.”

Senior attackman Colin Michener joins Raymond as one of four captains for the 2026 season. Michener follows Raymond in points with 11 goals and three assists.

“We played a lot of tough

“What I love about defense is that it’s not really a one person position,” Shoemaker said. “It kind of takes all six guys down low working together, making plays and having each other’s back.”

Sophomore goalie Denis Fargione is one of three in front of the net.

This season Fargione has saved 63 of 273 total shots faced, averaging a save percentage of 0.453.

“There’s a bunch of ups and downs to the position,” Fargione said. “Just having everyone look around you to rally with you and keep pushing you through week in and week out definitely helps.”

The Wildcat’s Big East Conference season will officially commence this Saturday, March 28, at 1:00 p.m. Streaming will be available on ESPN+ as the ‘Cats take on St. John’s.

Kevin Willard Goes Viral Again In March

Dylan Johnson Co-Editor-in-Chief

Continued from p.13

lard sat down at the post-game press conference and fielded questions after the players were dismissed. When asked about Utah State’s out-ofbounds plays, he again mentioned making changes to his staff.

“I don’t think we did,” Willard said. “We gave up a big three-pointer late. Yeah, I’m probably going to have to make some changes to my staff just cause of how bad we were.”

After the second time Willard commented on staffing changes, a reporter notified him that his in-game comments were going viral on social media. Willard cut the reporter off before they could even get out their questions, saying, “It’s a joke. God bless it.”

The reporter continued with his question, asking Willard, “You gave an interview during the game. It went viral. You are being pretty heavily online…”

Willard interjected again, saying it was a joke.

“Welcome to my life. It’s a joke,” Willard said.

Some Villanova alumni expressed their displeasure with hearing Willard make the comments, believing it was not a good joke to make and does not represent the University’s values.

“IMO, Fr Peter should fire Willard,” one Villanova alumnus wrote on X after the game. “By his unhinged behavior, he is an embarrassment to Nova, and a very poor role model to the young, student-athletes in his charge. I say that as a proud, Villanova alumna.”

However, many took the opposite side, recognizing it was a joke. Many fans noted Willard has turned the program around and is back in the NCAA Tournament.

“Respectfully, you’re out of your depth here,” a Villanova fan responded. “Willard has a dry sense of humor. The Jay [Wright] days are over. He was 1 of 1. You’re never gonna get another Jay.”

While the Villanova fan base was split on its takes about Willard’s comments and humor, it was not the first time Willard went viral for his post-game comments.

Earlier this season, Willard made comments about St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, whom he had

formerly worked under as an assistant. The comments came after Villanova fell to St. John’s, 89-57, at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 21.

“I had a full set of hair when I started working for him,” Willard said when asked about working for Pitino. “It’s the most miserable experience in life. You fear for your life every day. And everyone laughs when I say that, but no, you think you’re going to get fired, and it’s miserable. And as he’s gotten older, he’s probably become more of a cranky old b*tch than he was.

“You literally fear for your life. You walk in, he walks into the facility, and he’s walking in at 6:30, and you’ve been there since 5:30, thinking you have everything right. And he comes, and he asks you one question that you don’t know. He’s got the most energy of any coach I’ve ever been around. I think that’s why he’s got 900 wins and National Championships, because he does it better and more intense than anybody.”

That full response was broken up on social media and left a lot of people to take it out of context. It got to the point where Willard had to issue a rare tweet stating how great a coach and boss Pitino was and still is.

“Coach Pitino gave me my first opportunity as a coach, a fact I am forever grateful for,” Willard posted on X the day after his comments on Pitino. “It is impossible to calculate how much I learned in every aspect of the game in my 10 years working for him. As a great competitor, he was often at his best after a loss. His energy and passion in those moments are part of what make him a Hall of Fame coach. Coach is absolutely the best at what he does.”

Last season, Willard was public about his situation at Maryland during its Sweet 16 run. He noted issues with funding, not being unable to stay an extra night in New York City. It was originally reported that Willard agreed to a contract extension at Maryland that would have made him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NCAA. However, he departed Maryland for Villanova soon after its Sweet 16 loss to the eventual national champion, Florida.

Last weekend’s comments or “jokes” were not the first time Willard was taken out of context or in the wrong way. Willard will most likely be taken out of context in the future due to his sense of humor and deadpan delivery. It is going to be something Villanova fans will have to get accustomed to.

Women’s Tennis Splits Weekend Contests

Sophia Cratty Staff Writer

On Wednesday, March 18, Villanova women’s tennis (9-6, 1-1 Big East) swept St. Joseph’s,7-0, but followed up the win with a 5-2 Big East loss at home against St. John’s (11-5, 3-1 Big East) on Sunday, March 22. Villanova took home the doubles point on Wednesday, with a 6-0 victory at No. 1 from seniors Emi Callahan and Maggie Gehrig, a 6-3 win from sophomore Olivia Corcoran and junior Miriam Gondorova at No. 3 and an inconclusive 5-5 result at No. 2.

“First doubles were huge on Wednesday,” head coach Steven Reiniger said. “Emi and Maggie played a pretty strong team, and they did really well.”

The Wildcats won all six singles matches. Gehrig had a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2, and at No. 3, Gondorova claimed a 6-0, 6-1 win.

Corcoran, at No. 1, lost the first set, but battled back to a 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 win. Stevens went three sets as well at No. 4, and junior Lauren Monti, at No. 5, with a 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (7) tiebreak. To finish the match, freshman Alina Kornyeva took home a 6-3, 6-2 win.

After the sweep against St. Joseph’s (1-11), the Wildcats fell to Big East opponent St. John’s. Villanova claimed the doubles point, but fell short in singles play.

Monti and Stevens, at No. 2, took a 6-4 victory, and Corcoran and Gondorova earned a 7-5 win at No. 3, to secure the doubles point. Gehrig, with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 win, earned Villanova its sole

singles point on Sunday.

“We won the doubles point today,” Reiniger said. “Big East match. I thought we put ourselves in a position to win the match and just came up a little short. They were a very good team, so it’s no shame in losing to St. John’s. It just could have looked a little different for us.”

In singles play, all courts lost the first set, forcing Villanova to try and play catch-up on Sunday.

“We didn’t win the first set in any of the courts in singles, so I think that hurt us not winning the first set in singles,” Reiniger said. “So we were fighting, trying to get

ourselves back into it. And we did on a couple of courts. Maggie and Miriam had a great second set.”

On Friday, Villanova will compete at home against Rider, and, weather permitting, will play outdoors.

“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, and we’ll be outside,” Reiniger said. “It looks like Friday is fine as far as playing the match outside, so hopefully we’ll be able to get practice outdoors and not indoors this week.”

Women’s tennis will face Rider (2-10) at the Villanova Tennis Complex on Friday, March 27. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m.

Golf Earns Second Place Finish In Williamsburg

Jack McFadden Staff Writer

On Monday, March 23, the Villanova golf team traveled to Williamsburg, VA, competing in its third tournament of the spring season, the Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate.

Through the first 36 holes of the tournament, the Wildcats finished in third place overall, shooting 574 (+6) overall after shooting 285 (+6) in the first round and 289 (+5) in the second round.

Senior captains Matt Zerfass and Ryan Pamer led the way for the ‘Cats on Day One, both shooting 141 (-1) on the day, finishing tied for sixth in the tournament.

Fifth-year Brockton English also contributed for Villanova, shooting 145 (+3) on the day. His performance tied him for 26th. Sophomore Vibhav Alokam closed the first two rounds tied for 34th. Alokam shot 147 (+5) on the first day, and junior Nathan Marion rounded out the ‘Cats lineup, shooting 149 (+7) to finish tied for 39th.

Following the first day of the tournament, which consisted of 36 holes, the final round on Tuesday consisted of 18, in which the Wildcats shot 289 (+5) as a team. The performance left the ‘Cats at 863 (+11), giving them a second place finish in the 2026 Golden Horseshoe Intercollegiate.

Zerfass played an impressive final round for the ‘Cats, where he

shot 67 (-4), his best round of the spring season, which helped him finish tied for first in the tournament shooting 208 (-5) across the two days. Not only was this Zerfass’s best round of the spring season, but it was the best round of all players on day two of the intercollegiate.

“Matt has really carried momentum from the end of the fall winning the Big 5 Champi-

onship into this spring,” assistant coach Patrick Aylward said. “He has really become a closer in these strong fields and shown that when his game is sharp he can play with anyone.”

Pamer also made an impact in the final round for Villanova shooting 73 (+2), making him tied for ninth place after shooting 214 (+1) through all three rounds.

Alokam improved his score from round two, shooting 72 (+1) in round three and ultimately finishing in 26th place. Alokam shot 219 (+6) throughout the tournament.

The intercollegiate hosts, William & Mary, took home first after shooting 850 (-2) over the two day stretch, beating Villanova by 13 strokes. The Griffins had three players that finished within the top ten on the leaderboard.

Navy Senior Jack Tarzy finished at the top of the leaderboard alongside Zerfass, who shot 208 (-5) across the two days.

The second place finish for Villanova is its best of the spring season so far. The ‘Cats will carry the momentum from the tournament throughout the rest of their season, as they have two more tournaments to play in before the Big East Championship begins on Saturday, May 2.

“The team is coming off two top five finishes and really gaining momentum at the right time of the year,” Aylward said. “We’ve seen some of the conference’s best teams recently and performed well, we’re going to continue to work hard over the next couple weeks and be ready for the Big East tournament.”

Up next for Villanova is its very own Wildcat/Fazio Invite, which will be played at Galloway National Golf Course in Galloway, NJ on April 6. The two day tournament will be another opportunity for the Wildcats to improve come the Big East Championship.

Men’s Tennis Drops Match To Marquette, 4-2

Mason Canton Staff Writer

Villanova men’s tennis (5-9) dropped a competitive Big East Conference matchup to Marquette (4-13) at home, 4–2.

The Wildcats opened the match by battling for the doubles point, ultimately securing it with wins on Courts No. 2 and No. 3. Juniors Kush Anand and Thomas Wakefield earned a hard-fought 7–5 victory over Luke Coppage and Ivan Vazquez at the No. 2 position.

Sophomores Quincy Jones and Jack Sherner followed with a 6–4 win against Kristian Blagoev and Remi St. Laurent at No. 3 to clinch the doubles point for Villanova. Marquette’s lone doubles win came at the top spot, where Hugh Perrill and Blake Roegner defeated senior Cooper Gordon and junior Ethan Carr, 6–1.

“Doubles was great,” said head coach Brad Adams. “Court 1 was a tough matchup for Cooper and Ethan, but Courts 2 and 3 were able to win close matchups and get breaks.”

Villanova carried momentum into singles play, but Marquette responded by winning four of the five completed matches to secure the team victory.

At No. 1 singles, Gordon pushed Roegner to three sets before falling 6–0, 4–6, 6–3. Junior Will Monahan dropped a 6–1, 6–3 decision to Blagoev at No. 2, while Carr fell 6–2, 6–4 to Anderson at

the No. 3 position.

Wakefield was edged in a tightly contested match at No. 4 singles, falling 7–5, 7–5 to St. Laurent. Anand provided Villanova’s lone singles victory of the day, battling to a 6–3, 3–6, 6–4 win over Coppage at No. 5.

At No. 6 singles, Justin Frattarelli was in the middle of a three-set battle with Vazquez before the match went unfinished, trailing 2–6, 6–1.

The matchup marked Villanova’s second Big East contest of the season. The Wildcats previously opened conference play with a 7–0 loss to Creighton, making Sunday’s match another early test against conference competition.

Despite the result, Villanova showed improvement in doubles play and competed closely in several singles matches, particularly in three-set battles at the top and bottom of the lineup.

“I think we can use it [the loss] in a positive note, “ added Adams. “In singles we need to work on taking care of points, coming from behind, and out attention to detail out of the changeovers. We get too relaxed after a break. We need to realize that our opponent will still come out fighting.”

The match also served as Senior Day for Villanova, and Cooper Gordon was honored as the team’s only senior.

Gordon has been a consistent presence at the top of the lineup throughout the season, competing at both No. 1 singles

and doubles. His leadership and experience have been key to a relatively young Villanova roster.

With Gordon as the only senior, the Wildcats are expected to return much of their lineup next season, providing continuity and experience.

“Cooper will be a huge loss going forward,” said Adams. He’s

resilient playing at Court 1, the toughest matchup. He’s competitive even when he’s not winning. His experience and ability to be competitive shows the other guys it’s possible to win at 1.”

Up next, the Wildcats will travel to Bucknell on Sunday, March 29. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m.

March Madness

Madness Frames

Softball Falls To Creighton In Series, 0-3

Casey Healey Co-Sports Editor

This past weekend, Villanova softball (6-25, 2-7 Big East) traveled to Omaha, NE to face Creighton University (13-17, 4-3), where it was swept in the weekend series.

“We’ve had a lot of bad breaks in the beginning of the year,” head coach Bridget Orchard said. “So we’re kind of just trying to keep the confidence up and keep the energy.”

In the opening game, the ‘Cats took a 10-8 lead at the bottom of the seventh, but lost on a threerun walkoff home run.

The Wildcats took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Senior Lily St. Jean grounded out to score in senior Maddie Burrows. Creighton added two runs in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1.

The Bluejays then scored four runs in a row through the next two innings to go up 6-1 heading into the top of the fourth.

Villanova responded with six runs at the top of the fourth. Burrows hit an RBI single to load the bases, then junior Maranda Runco cleared them to send three runners to the plate.

Runco then scored off an error, and St. Jean added a sacrifice fly to give the Wildcats a 7-6 lead.

Creighton then scored twice to go up 8-7.

In the top of the fifth, Run-

co hit a three-run double to make the score 10-8.

Neither team scored again until the bottom of the seventh, two batters got on base for Creighton and the BlueJays were able to walk off the game with a three-run home run off Maggie King.

Villanova scored the most runs yet in 2026 with 10.

“It was a positive on the offensive side,” Orchard said. “They were putting up more runs. We’re just giving up too many runs.”

The next day, the Wildcats dropped their second game to the Blue Jays, 11-3. In her sixth start of the sea-

son, freshman Carly Zych pitched an inning and a third, where she walked three and gave up five runs on two hits.

She also opened up scoring for Villanova in the top of the second, hitting her first career home run.

Creighton quickly responded with seven unanswered runs in the bottom of the second. Most of those runs came from a grand slam.

Villanova managed to load the bases, and a St. Jean walk made the score 7-3.

Creighton added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning and then two more in the

bottom of the fifth to win the game and clinch the series.

This was the second consecutive Big East series that Villanova has been swept in.

“Mentally, we just need to lock in a little bit better and kind of make sure that we’re playing as hard as we can day in and day out,” Orchard said.

The following day was no better, as the ‘Cats only managed one run to Creighton’s 10 through five innings of play.

Senior Kat Gallant started as pitcher for Villanova. She pitched for one inning, walking two and giving up four runs on four hits.

Creighton scored four in the bottom of the first inning.

In the top of the third, Runco hit a single to score Zych from third to put Villanova on the board.

After that, the BlueJays scored 9 unanswered runs to end the game at the bottom of the fifth.

“[The team] is all sticking together and they’re kind of grinding through this,” Orchard said. “As a team and as a unit.”

King struck out one, walked four and gave up six runs on eight hits.

“Defensively, we need to make some big plays behind our pitchers,” Orchard said. “So when they are throwing strikes, they put it in play. We need to kind of back it up and make some bigger plays”

Villanova will take on Delaware this Wednesday, and then host Georgetown for a weekend series,

Baseball Takes Home Series Against UNC Asheville

Noah Okenqusit Staff Writer

This past weekend, Villanova baseball (9-10) hosted UNC Asheville (12-12, 1-2 Big South) for a three-game series at Villanova Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting. After coming up short, 12-9, in the first game, the Wildcats came back to win the series, 10-4 and 11-6.

Villanova kicked things off on Friday as junior pitcher Jake Francis took the mound. UNC Asheville quickly put five runs on the board in the first, followed by four more in the second inning.

Sophomore Brayden Leonard got on base in the first inning for Villanova. A walk from senior Collin Quintano, followed by a sacrifice fly from fifth-year Carter Richey, gave the Wildcats two runs. Senior Michael Whooley and Quintano added a single and a double in the third to help chip away at UNC Asheville’s lead.

“It’s energizing, yes, but more importantly, you get to their bullpen,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “It’s important to get through their better arms so they can’t be saved for the next game.”

After UNC Asheville scored a few more runs, Villanova faced a 12-4 deficit.

Villanova gained some momentum in the eighth, starting with a bases-clearing double from freshman Larry Hotaling. Leonard and Whooley contributed a few more runs to make the score 12-9 by the end of the inning.

Although Villanova closer junior Jeremiah Holder was able to hold off the Bulldogs in the ninth, the Wildcats went down in order, and they lost the game 12-9.

“We did a great job swinging at our pitches and controlling the zone,” Mulvey said.

Saturday saw a slow start, as neither team scored a run in the first two innings.

“We have to just stay in the approach and not try to make things happen,” Mulvey said. “Let the game come to you and don’t miss the opportunity”.

Hotaling and sophomore Jojo Montgomery opened up scoring for Villanova with a couple of base hits to drive runners in and score.

“Larry’s getting better as the season goes on, and he’s getting more comfortable handling the high velocity,” Mulvey said. “He’s adapting to the moment”.

Whooley singled in two runs, sophomore John Freitag scored another run, and redshirt-sophomore Austin Lemon added one more in the fifth.

Fifth-year Jack Kelley was dominant on the mound, pitching five innings with only one unearned run. This continued his 11-inning scoreless streak, and he also collected two strikeouts on the day.

“[Kelley] is gaining confidence as he has good outings and gets ahead of good hitters,” Mulvey said. “He throws two variations of fastball, a changeup, a curveball and a slide cutter. He came to Villanova with most of his pitches, but he’s always working on adding to his

repertoire.”

After giving up one in the sixth, UNC Asheville saw an opportunity and scored three more in the seventh to make it 5-4.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman Roventini, Richey, and Leonard all scored to put Villanova up 8-4 by the end of the inning. Lemon singled in the eighth to add two more runs to close out the game 10-4.

Sophomore J.P. Podgorski closed the game, allowing only one hit and one strikeout in 2.1 innings pitched.

In the final game of the series on Sunday, UNC Asheville was quick to get on the board. However, Whooley hit an RBI double to plate Lemon and tie the game at 1-1. Montgomery singled in the third inning, and Leonard knocked him in with a double for the lead. Quintano then hit a double to extend Villanova’s lead, 4-3.

After taking a 6-1 lead, UNC Asheville started to close the deficit. Due to several errors and miscommunications from the Wildcats, the Bulldogs cut the lead to 6-5 by the end of the sixth.

Villanova answered back with a double from Hotaling. Montgomery and Whooley both knocked in runs, and Freitag had the biggest swing with a bases-clearing double to cap off the series.

“That’s just the way the game went,” Coach Mulvey said. “We did a great job on the mound Sunday, getting ahead in the count, and we had five really strong innings.”

Sophomore Jack Chavez and Roventini combined to close the game, and allowed a pair of runs to end the game 11-6. The Wildcats will face Hofstra (6-12, 2-4 CAA) on Wednesday, March 25th, in Plymouth Meeting, PA, at 1 p.m.

Women’s Lacrosse Defeats Xavier, 14-8, On Senior Day

Genna Cottingham Sports Columnist

On Saturday, March 21, Villanova women’s lacrosse defeated Xavier, 14-8, in its first Big East conference game of the season and Senior Day celebration.

“It’s such a special day for the seniors,” head coach Jill Batcheller said. “They’ve given four years of a lot of heart and hustle to this team, and it was a beautiful day. We had an awesome cheering section and a great win.”

The victory stretches the ‘Cats (6-3, 1-0 Big East) to an undefeated four game winning streak against the Musketeers (2-8, 0-1 Big East) since their first meeting in 2023. During the teams’ most recent meeting in April 2025, the Wildcats defeated Xavier, 18-9, on the road in Cincinnati, OH.

Junior midfielder Rose Christie led the ‘Cats, scoring three of seven total shot-attempts. Two of Christie’s goals came within 1:07 of each other and were separated by a goal scored by sophomore midfielder Leslie Iorio.

Iorio’s point marked her first hat trick of the season and was assisted by junior midfielder Sophia Corretjer.

Corretjer totaled four assists, following redshirt sophomore midfielder Mary Moore’s five assists.

Junior midfielder Emma Verhoest managed 11 draw controls last Saturday. Verhoest is two draw con-

Noah Okenquist Staff Writer

This past weekend, Villanova women’s water polo split its matchups against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponents, Marist and Virginia Military Institute. A narrow, 14-13 loss against No. 17 Marist (21-4, 5-0 MAAC) and decisive 20-6 victory over VMI (7-11, 1-4 MAAC) stretches the Wildcats (17-8, 4-1 MAAC) to 17 total wins this season, as they continue to make their case for a national ranking.

The ‘Cats kicked off the weekend on Saturday, March 21, taking on Marist.

Sophomore attacker Layla Canales led Villanova’s offense, scoring four goals. Sophomore attacker Riley Hull followed, scoring three. “Riley is an incredibly hard working player,” head coach Michael Gordon said. “Nothing has surprised me with how hard she works and prepares herself. She has quickness and speed and her water polo IQ is killer.”

Senior utility Sara Withers added four assists, and senior attacker Coco Jones tallied three.

“We had a lot of success passing the ball,” Gordon said. “We were moving the goalie and adjusting the defense which has been a big part of our success. They’re all looking to make that extra pass and hook up their players with a goal.”

Senior goalie Gracin Kerry was in front of the net for the game’s duration, saving four of 18 looks on goal.

Marist took early control of

trols away from breaking the Wildcat career program record of 382.

The Musketeers were led by redshirt junior midfielder Samantha Balara who scored four goals.

Villanova collected two yellow card penalties from senior midfielder Amber DeRosa and Moore. Xavier fell into penalty trouble, racking up two yellow cards and eight green cards.

Seven minutes into play, senior attacker Ashlyn Hickey opened up the game’s scoresheet.

Xavier quickly retaliated, tying the game, 1-1.

The two teams scored backand-forth until Villanova put away

five unanswered goals in the second period.

Senior midfielder Isabella Henson-Vendrell scored Villanova’s ninth goal after a foul on Xavier’s Colby Wasson gave Henson-Vendrell a free-position goal, putting the ‘Cats up, 9-5.

Heading into intermission, the ‘Cats had the 10-5 advantage.

“She’s [Isabella Henson-Vendrell] really the heart of the team,” Batcheller said. That goal really sparked the team on our run in the second quarter.”

The goal marked Henson-Vendrell’s first of the season. Her last score was made during her rookie

Waterpolo Splits Weekend, 1-1

the game, following an offensive first quarter. Marist led 7-5 before Hull tied up the game with two goals.

The Red Foxes responded with two goals before halftime, leaving the Wildcats trailing, 9-7.

Coming out of intermission, Hull scored another goal to tie the game, 9-9.

Marist found its momentum in the third quarter, scoring three unanswered goals.

Villanova struggled to find its rhythm until the game’s final quarter where they chipped a three goal deficit to just one goal.

Although Marist went scoreless for the final 3:54, Villanova was unable to overpower them, losing the game, 14-13.

The defeat marked the first conference loss for the Wildcats this season.

Sunday morning saw a statement victory from the Wildcats, as Villanova outscored Virginia Military Institute, 20-6. Canales, Hull, Freshman center Annika Wise, and sophomore attacker Catharine McCann all had hat tricks as six other Wildcats were on the scoreboard as well.

“I might have a little different mentality,” Gordon said. “But for the message to my players I try to keep it as consistent as possible. We came out on Sunday with the same fire and tenacity and don’t take anything for granted.”

Canales also had three assists with freshman utility Tessa Petit and senior center Ella Mattocks each having two. In addition, both Catharine McCann and Sara Withers had

season in Villanova’s 16-12 victory over Quinnipiac on March 18, 2023.

“I think I’ve definitely grown as an individual and an athlete on this team…they’re the ones that allow me to kind of be that leader that I want to be and to continue to step up for my teammates,” Henson-Vendrell said. “I’m really trying to embody [leadership] and embrace that in my final year and really lead this team where we want to go, which is the Big East Championship.”

In the second half, Villanova maintained its momentum, scoring two more unanswered goals in the third period.

Xavier ended its scoring drought with 12:34 remaining it the game, cutting its deficit to to seven goals, 13-6.

In the game’s remaining minutes, redshirt junior attacker Elena Torres scored Villanova’s final goal.

Xavier managed to put two more behind the net, before the game ended with a Wildcat win, 14-8.

“I think we’ve had a lot of great competition so far in our non-conference season,” Batcheller said. “I think what we’re looking to do is just gain a little bit more consistency offensively, defensively, and in the clears.”

Villanova will play one more non-conference game before continuing its Big East, hosting No. 2 Stanford (10-0, 6-0 ACC) on Saturday, March 28, at Villanova Stadium. Tip-off is set for noon and will be played in an early celebration of Easter.

three steals on the day leading the team.

“They played really well,” Gordon said. “Catharine McCann had a hat trick and Annika Wise also found key moments.”

With eight goals in the first quarter and five in the second, VMI had little opportunity to score as Villanova’s defense kept them under control. The Keydets struggled to find the net as they finished the half trailing 13-4.

Kerry started the game, before sophomore goalie Rachel Stephens and freshman goalie Reia Kimi received an opportunity in front of the net. Stephens saved four in five attempts and Kimi saved 10 on 12 attempts while also getting a steal.

Finishing the game with a 7-2

run helped the Wildcats secure the victory and move to 3-1 in conference play.

“We came out hot and did what we wanted to do,” Gordon said. “We cycled through everyone that was healthy to get playing time. We have a big group of seniors graduating with a lotta holes to fill and I want these players coming off the bench to be ready through real-game experience.”

Waterpolo will now travel to Lexington, VA, taking on Siena College, Iona University and Mount St. Mary’s on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29.

With one weekend left in conference play, Villanova sits one spot behind Marist in the rankings and depends on their last games to overtake the lead.

Step One Complete: Willard’s First Year

Dylan Johnson Co-Editor-in-Chief

SAN DIEGO – With 4 minutes left in play, Villanova led Utah State by just one point after junior guard Tyler Perkins dropped in a three-pointer in front of the team’s bench.

Four minutes later, Villanova’s season was over. No. 9 Utah State was celebrating on the court after defeating No. 8 Villanova, 86-76, at Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA.

It was a bittersweet ending for Villanova after leading by as many as 10 points at the beginning of the second half. Sophomore Malachi Palmer “ felt like it was just tied up, and [he] blinked, and [Utah State] was up 10.”

While the season ended prematurely, Villanova head coach Kevin Willard’s first season with the program ended with an NCAA Tournament appearance after missing it the last three consecutive years under Kyle Neptune. It was Willard and the team’s goal when they came together in early June.

However, the talk about Villanova being in the NCAA Tournament and contending at the top of the Big East this season was quiet in the lead-up to its season opener against BYU in Las Vegas. The Big East preseason coaches’ poll has Villanova slotted to finish seventh in the conference, below teams that did not even finish with double-digit conference

wins.

“There weren’t a lot of expectations early in the year,” Willard said. “A lot of people were talking down about them. I think they were way beyond what everyone thought they were going to be, and they did it with a great attitude and a great bunch to coach. Like, this group was one of the best I’ve ever had coaching.”

Villanova ended its 2025-26 campaign with a 24-9 overall and 15-5 conference record. It tied a program record for the most conference road wins in a single season with eight. Willard also won the most games as a first-year head coach on the Main Line.

The season also ended with Villanova suffering its first pair of back-to-back losses this season, which started with an ugly 78-64 loss to Georgetown in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. The pair of losses, as well as only winning one game against a team with an at-large NCAA Tournament bid displayed what Willard and the program need to do for the future success of the program. Villanova’s locker room was silent as it was still digesting the loss to Utah State on Friday. The loss marked Duke Brennan and Devin Askew’s final games as collegiate athletes. Askew was visibly upset, with his eyes watering as he slumped back in his locker.

Askew did not have much to say other than a few-word responses for each question.

Brennan’s departure will be a large whole too fill for Villano -

va, which already lacked size this season.

The 6-foot-10 forward averaged a double-double of 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds after transferring from Grand Canyon. Without Brennan, as it stands, Villanova is left with a pair of seven-footers in Braden Pierce and Nico Onyekwere. Pierce only averaged 6.5 minutes and less than one rebound per game, and Onyekwere redshirted.

Perkins, who was the only returning player with meaningful minutes from last season, sounded like he was planning to return next season, noting that this season and the NCAA Tournament appearance were “just the first step” in returning the program to its winning ways.

Willard built this year’s team with a lot of young talent, with a majority of the team having one or two years of experience. That specific group is headlined by guard Acaden Lewis, who put together an impressive freshman season.

Lewis, who has three years of collegiate eligibility remaining, would be a key retainer for Willard if he decided to stay. After averaging 12.2 points and 5.3 assists, Lewis could have shown enough to be drafted in the late first or early second round of the NBA Draft.

“These guys did a hell of a job just mentoring me and helping me move on to my next level of basketball,” Lewis said when asked about the team’s season. “So, I mean, I’m grateful.”

It prompted a follow-up question about his plans on where he will be next season.

“No, we’ll see how that goes,” Lewis said when asked if he is going to the next level. “I haven’t made any decisions like that, but even if I do, I mean, I’m super grateful for everyone here,

but no plans like that. I haven’t even talked about it. I mean, the season’s fresh, that’s not something to worry about.”

While Lewis is a talented basketball player, some could say he is not the complete package that an NBA team would be looking for in the early picks of the draft. That being said, there could be more money, minutes and a starting opportunity for Lewis if he were to remain in college next season.

It would also be worthwhile for the program to attempt to bring back as many players as possible, such as Bryce Lindsay, Matt Hodge, Palmer and Chris Jeffrey.

“I just think we did a great job of developing a really good culture, setting the tone of how we want to play, getting back to that,” Willard said when asked about the next step. “I just think, again, it’s getting some of these young guys back, developing them some more and just adding in the right guys. I think we need to become a little bit more physical. I think that’s the biggest thing. We were a little -especially when Matt went down. We just became really small. So just making sure we add the right pieces to a really good, young core that’s fun to coach.”

With the season coming to a close, there is not much time until the cycle starts all over again. While fans await a tipoff in early November, Villanova’s season begins in the upcoming weeks. That starts with the transfer portal, which opens on April 7.

While the season ended, it also marked the beginning of Willard’s coaching career at Villanova. When he took the stage for his introductory press conference in April 2025, he made it clear he wanted to return the program to its winning ways without changing the culture.

Wildcat Watch: The Kelley Strikeout

Genna Cottingham Sports Columnist

About an hour north of the US-Mexico border, Temecula, CA, is known for its championship golf courses and vineyards. Somehow, the serene city on the West Coast produced one of the top baseball players in the Big East this season: Jack Kelley. The Villanova fifth-year was named the Big East Pitcher of the Week last Monday, March 16.

With seven strikeouts on Saturday, March 14, Kelley helped the ‘Cats defeat Charleston Southern 5-0. In that game, Kelley managed six shutout innings and only allowed two hits in nine innings.

“[The coach staff] confirmed unanimously that Jack was a candidate to help us as a starting pitcher,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “His ability to throw strikes with multiple pitches at a high rate, paired with how good his pitches are, made it a pretty easy decision, honestly.”

Kelley is originally from the Boston area and moved to the West Coast with his family at age four. The right-handed pitcher joined Team California in ninth grade.

According to Team California’s mission statement, “Players learn to play with Poise, have the Freedom to execute, and Focus on details.” Kelley’s passion and precision for the game were developed early in his career and are reflected

now in his post-graduate play.

After playing varsity baseball at Murrieta High School for four years, Kelley graduated during COVID-19 and struggled to get recruited.

Kelley ended up playing at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA. He enjoyed playing, but realized that if he attended one of his dream schools, he wouldn’t be able to play, let alone try to walk on the team.

“I was pretty much done with baseball,” Kelley said. “I was gonna go to USD [University of San Diego]. It was close to home, a Catholic school. Then, I ended up playing in the local summer league

just for fun.”

Kelley realized he couldn’t quit the sport he had spent nearly 20 years playing. After a few rough starts at Palomar, Kelley regained confidence and started to get noticed by several colleges. Akron University in Ohio ultimately recruited Kelley.

“I loved my time there,” Kelley said. “It might not sound like the fanciest place in the world, but the facilities were great, and we played a lot of sweet schools.”

Bowling Green, Kent State, Toledo, and Miami of Ohio were some of his Mid-American Conference rivals. During Kelley’s two years as a Zip, he accounted for 19

starts and totaled 105 strikeouts. His career high in a game is seven. Kelley has tied the record twice since 2024.

Kelley earned all-MAC Academic Team honors in 2025 and graduated last May. Due to COVID, Kelley was allowed one more year as a graduate student. The transfer portal opened nearly two weeks earlier for fifth-years, and Kelley nearly signed to play for Duke. The Blue Devils were ranked No. 11 in the preseason poll according to FloBaseball.

“Duke is my dream school also, since I was eight years old,” Kelley said. “We almost moved there. We visited, and I was like, ‘That’s my school.’”

However, after an official visit with coach Mulvey, the Kelley family was captivated by the baseball program and the academic curriculum. What ultimately fueled Kelley’s decision to sign with the ‘Cats was the Villanova School of Business’s MBA program and the strong alumni network.

“When you’re a grad guy, the younger guys are gonna look up to you no matter what you do, on and off the field,” Kelley said. “There’s some responsibility in that guys are looking to see what you do on the mound, especially as a starter.”

Villanova is scheduled to play UNC Asheville on Wednesday, March 25. The game at Villanova Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting is set to start at 3:35 p.m.

West Coast Wildcat Fans Experience Villanova Men’s Basketball

Kailey Fahy Co-Editor-in-Chief

While Villanova’s first-round tournament appearance may have taken place close to 3000 miles away from Philadelphia, Villanovans from the West Coast were given an opportunity to see the Wildcats play in-person.

Membership in the Big East limits the geographical variety of games for Villanova, so this opportunity was a rare one that many West Coast Wildcats took advantage of.

Juxtaposed with the San Diego State red seats that fill Viejas Arena, Villanova fans adorning the blue and white were easily identifiable.

Bob Duffy is a Villanova graduatewho lives in San Diego. His brother, a Villanova Dad of a 2025 graduate, happened to be visiting the Golden State for their fantasy baseball draft. They had bought tickets to just experience the energy of March Madness at Viejas Arena, not knowing it would be Villanova playing.

“It was so unbelievably lucky,” Duffy said when asked about his reaction when he learned Villanova would be playing in San Diego. “We were just so fired up, so excited to be here watching Villanova.”

Dan Stone, a 1971 graduate, also resides in California. Wearing a classic Villanova crew neck t-shirt, sitting alongside his daughter, Christine, Stone shared he took a five-hour train ride from Northern Los Angeles.

“Once we found out, my daughter called me and said ‘you

need tickets,” Stone said. “I said, yeah, yeah. It is an opportunity, obviously, we don’t get to see the ‘Cats out here that often.”

While 1988 graduate Patrick Murray does not live in California, he was willing to make the five-hour

drive early Friday morning to see the Wildcats play.

“I was excited when I found out the game was going to be in San Diego,” Murray said. “Villanova doesn’t come West a lot, so it’s good for me.”

While Utah State fans outnumbered Villanovans and their chants reverberated throughout the arena, those who took the time to walk around, could feel the excitement of Villanova fans who were in attendance.

And it was not just alumni who were there to support the Wildcats. Former head coach Jay Wright also made the trip out to California. He spoke about the immense pride he felt watching the team make the tournament for the first time since he was coach, which was back in 2022.

“I am really proud of Kevin and this team,” Wright said. “If you make this tournament as an at-large contender, you’ve had a heck of a year.”

Before tipoff, Wright shared how he attended a Villanova Alumni pregame event at Dirty Birds Bar and Grill in San Diego with fans attending Friday’s matchup.

“I’m loving being here with all the Villanova people,” Wright said when asked about his feelings watching as a fan rather than coaching.

While the game may have taken place miles away from 800 E. Lancaster Avenue, Villanova’s devoted alums and fans span across the country. Viejas Arena gave West Coast Wildcat fans an opportunity to watch their team play on the biggest stage in college basketball.

And while Villanova may have come up short, there is a sense of renewed hope across the country surrounding the basketball team.

This hope could be felt even 3000 miles away from campus, amidst a sea of Utah State fans.