The Villanovan | Volume 116, Issue 4: February 21, 2024

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2024 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 116 | ISSUE 4

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

Singing Community Tightens Around the Future Valentine’s of College Hall Tradition Lives On Julia O’Keefe Staff Writer

The Villanova Singers charmed the campus community this Valentine’s Day with their long-held tradition of delivering singing Valentine’s Day grams.

Whether it was an impromptu phone call, a classroom appearance or even a dorm room wake-up, the Singers spread love by surprising gram recipients in full tuxedos and four-part harmonies.

The Villanova Singers is an all-male, traditional chorus dating back to 1953, when Harold Gill Reuschlein, Dean of Villanova’s Law School, founded the group. The singing Valentine tradition dates to 1979, when the Singers first began serenading Villanova students in academic classrooms on Valentine’s Day. Family, friends and secret admirers could buy a gram for someone else, signing up the Singers to deliver it at the requested location.

After taking time to adapt during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Singers were excited to be back to offering their in-person grams alongside video messages and phone calls in 2023. Like last year, this year’s customers could send a phone call for $10, video message for $5 or in-person singing gram to the campus location of their choice for $20, including a dorm room wake-up option for an additional $5.

They sang everywhere, from the middle of Café Nova to a chem lab (safety goggles on) to serenading Villanova’s very own University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D..

Each gram is the Singers’ own rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” with the spinoff being “You Are My Valentine.” The group comes together to Continued on p. 7

An increase in community scrutinity raises important questions about the future of College Hall.

Graydon Paul /Villanovan Photography

Arden West Co-Editor-in-Chief

For decades, College Hall at Marks Apartments, colloquially known as “Courts,” has been emblematic of the classic college experience. As embedded in Villanova culture as the campus itself, College Hall is home to more than 100 Villanova students and is a popular off-campus housing destination.

Although synonymous with tradition, College Hall has been the recent recipient of a concerted effort by both the Lower Merion Police Department (LMPD) and the

University to crack down on residents’ behavior and conduct. This development is a direct result of increased standards held by community members and a lowered threshold for disorderly actions.

“College Hall is its own animal,” Lieutenant Edward Sarama of the LMPD said. “It’s an echo chamber.”

Lt. Sarama’s observation describes the duality of the conditions at College Hall. It is a literal echo chamber—sound reverberating off the padded walls—and a metaphorical one—the same issues have been compounding and amplifying each other over

the years.

“Nothing that is happening [at College Hall] is new; in fact, behavior in the past was worse,” Sarama said.

So, if past students have lived at College Hall, hosted social events and conducted themselves similarly to or even more problematically than Villanovans today, why is there now a heightened attention on the property and harsher repercussions for current residents?

The answer lies in the neighbors. Police reports from the first two weeks of the Fall 2022 semester indicated that the LMPD received three

complaint calls from community members related to College Hall. However, the same reports from the first two weeks of the Fall 2023 semester indicate that the LMPD received 10 complaint calls from the community related to College Hall.

These reports reveal that during the 2023 semester, three times as many complaints were received as the same period in 2022, pertaining to the 800 block of Montgomery Avenue, where College Hall is located. Descriptions for these incident reports include disorderly conduct/state law violation, noisy party, liquor law/18 years or older, and fire alarm

Continued on p. 2

BSU Black Excellence Awards Preview Kellyn Zirn

Staff Writer On Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Villanova Room, Villanova’s Black Student Union will be hosting the Black Excellence Awards for its Black History Month Showcase.

These awards will recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of Black students at Villanova.

As stated on the Black Student Union’s Instagram,

“This prestigious event aims to spotlight the remarkable accomplishments of those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic

excellence and a commitment to making a positive impact on both campus and the broader community.”

Throughout the event,

University poster gives information about Black History Month Brian Luppy / Villanovan Photography

there will be music, entertainment and food, and it is definitely worth attending. Tickets cost 10 dollars for students and 15 dollars for faculty, staff and guests.

While the Saturday event will be filled with joyous festivities, the highlight of the night is the nominees for the Black Excellence Awards.

The categories for the awards are Class, School, Academic, Service & Advocacy, Student Organization, Extracurricular and Style. Senior Lydia Continued on p. 3

This Week in Politics p. 3

Orientation Counselors Deserve to be Paid p. 4

Villanova’s Relationship Culture is Out of Hand p. 5

I’ve Cursed Philadelphia Sports p. 6

Villanova Marriage Pact: Will You Meet Your Match? p. 7

Ticket to (Blue) Ride p. 9

Finding Motivation: Tips for Avoiding Winter Burnout p. 12

Women’s Lacrosse Defeats Bucknell, 16-12 p. 13

M Tennis 1-2, W Tennis 1-0 Over Week p. 14

Baseball Starts Season 0-3 Against Incarnate Word p. 15

2 | The Villanovan

News 1 Opinion 4 Culture 7 Sports 13

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 116 | ISS. 4 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

EMMA CAHILL ARDEN WEST BROOKE ACKERMAN HAYDEN KARNES NATALIE ZICKEL LAUREN ARMSTRONG FINN COURTNEY NICOLE LIDDICOAT KAILEY FAHY AVERY CHALK MAGGIE FITZGERALD SOPHIE LATESSA OWEN HEWITT KATIE LEWIS MADELINE OKENQUIST GRAYDON PAUL PETER REILLY MICHAEL BRADLEY CAT COYLE CONTACT

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor-in-Chief Digital Editor Digital Editor News Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief Photography Editor Crossword Editor Advisor Advisor villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition February 16, HOVNANIAN HALL A female resident student reported her scooter was stolen. The scooter was recovered.

Public Drunkeness February 17, MAIN CAMPUS GROUNDS A non affiliated male was found intoxicated in public near Fedigan Gate.

Liquor Underage Consumption, Public Drunkeness February 18, MORIARITY HALL A non-affiliated female, under the age of 21, did appear in a hallway of Moriarity intoxicated and was evaluated by VEMS.

Liquor Underage Consumption and Possession February 16, GOOD COUNSEL HALL One female resident student, under the age of 21, was transported to Bryn Mawr hospital after being evaluated for alcohol intoxication and a head injury from a fall.

Paraphernalia, Possession-Marijuana February 18, GALLEN HALL One female resident student was found in possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

CORRECTIONS 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.

CORRECTION: In last week’s issue, Villanova Women’s Softball was said to have went 2-5 in the tournament, but should have said 2-3.

Community Tightens Around the Future of College Hall Arden West Co-Editor-in-Chief continued from p. 1 activation.

“We don’t like going and writing college students tickets for being loud,” Sarama said. “Actually, when I drive past and hear noise, I usually just remind residents that it needs to be quieter. But the reality is that we work for the taxpayers, and those people who live around there are taxpayers.”

The increase in community scrutiny leads to a greater police presence at College Hall. Once there, officers enforce the law as they see it.

In early December of 2023, an underage Villanova student, who was invited to a social gathering at an of-age student’s apartment, walked into the courtyard with a plastic cup.

Unaware of the officers that were present, he got into a car to go home, when he heard an officer tell him to get out of the car.

“I felt taken advantage of in the situation, and I felt like the officers wanted to make a scene while I was trying to explain that I just wanted to safely go home,” said the student, who requested anonymity. “Instead, I was forcibly removed from the car and spent the night in the Lower Merion Police Department Jail.”

The incident was shocking to the student, since both his dad and older brother used to live at College Hall during their time at Villanova, and he himself is planning on living there, too. Loved by two generations of his family, College Hall was the last place where he expected to receive a citation.

“As someone on lease at College Hall, it’s frustrating to take the blame for things out of my control,” a resident, who requested anonymity, said. “I am doing everything in my power to keep noise down during gatherings and mitigate risk, yet I still face consequences with the law and the school.

“The police officers that come to College Hall no longer exercise discretion. Previously, we could communicate with them about noise levels and the possibility of shutting

down if necessary. Now, they are required to issue citations upon receiving noise complaints from nearby residents.”

It is a vicious cycle. Taxpaying residents call the police. Officers arrive at the scene, observe violations of laws and ordinance, and act. This action then creates a vested interest for the University.

“We receive referrals [to the Dean of Students office] from Lower Merion, not from Marks, and we are made aware that a student was cited,” Tom DeMarco, Associate Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students, said. “Then, we do a follow up.”

DeMarco explained how most of the conversations do not result in probation, and instead are opportunities for an educational and developmental approach. “[These follow up conversations] have been happening since I started at Villanova 27 years ago,” DeMarco said.

Traditional itself, this cycle of consequences appears to be a norm for the University. However, the University is interested in minimizing the number of incidents.

“There’s this sense that there are always citations or a police presence at College Hall, and I don’t want to just accept that,” Chris Kovolski, Villanova’s Assistant VP of Government Relations & External Affairs, said.

In this vein, the University hosted a Town Hall meeting on Jan. 29 in the Villanova Room, which was attended by Villanova administrators involved in off-campus housing, community relations and the Dean of Students Office. Also present was a representative from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Villanova, and the invitation to the Town Hall was extended to presidents of numerous Greek Life organizations on campus.

“If there was an increased number of citations in the fall, that would prompt us to want to do something different and to do something more,” DeMarco said. “I would rather be proactive than reactive.”

At first glance, the situation at College Hall seems to deal solely with black-and-white laws and ordi-

nances, but the developments raise questions that all stakeholders will be answering for years to come.

First, there is the question of housing.

“When you get issued so many citations, a rental license can be revoked,” Sarama said.

It was suggested at the Town Hall that Marks Apartments is introducing a new student rental ordinance that will impact current and future residents. However, no one from Marks was present at the Town Hall and the company has declined to comment.

“I am on the lease for College Hall for the 2024-2025 school year, and I am figuring out a way to get off it,” an anonymous Villanova student said. “The situation seems confusing and unsafe, and I do not want to put myself in a situation where I have something on my record because of where I live.

This sentiment appears to be widespread among the next wave of College Hall residents and many are worried about where they will live next year.

Although Villanova currently guarantees three years of on-campus housing, there could be more than 100 students seeking new housing if they get out of their off-campus leases. This influx of unaccounted for students could challenge the University’s guaranteed estimate.

Another question is that of social events.

“It’s frustrating and sad for

Villanova, because without Courts in the future, college kids that are no longer gathering in Bryn Mawr will be venturing to more dangerous areas like Philly, multiple times a week, where they cannot be supervised by older students or Villanova administrators,” a Villanova student and current resident of College Hall said.

“I wonder what the new College Hall will be,” another student said, suggesting that if the property becomes a thing of the past, another concentration of off-campus students will simply replace it.

Looking to the future, what college students, the LMPD and the University can agree on is the need to be good neighbors.

“There is a shared understanding that, as Villanovans, we are members of a greater community, and with that freedom comes responsibility,” another College Hall resident said.

“We do want everyone to be happy, and to do that, people need to work together,” Sarama said, explaining the new Lower Merion Community Harmony Program, which focuses on being a good neighbor and respecting local laws and ordinances.

In the evolving landscape surrounding College Hall, one thing is clear: the future holds both challenges and opportunities for fostering a stronger relationship between Villanova students, the University, the community and law enforcement officials.

Villanovans reckon with uncertainty and changes at College Hall.

Graydon Paul / Villanovan Photography

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Isabella Carlin Political Columnist Zoe Garrett Political Columnist Trump’s Civil Fraud Case Former President Donald Trump was found liable for conspiring to manipulate his net worth in a civil fraud case this past Friday.

The decision comes after New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Trump in 2022 because she believed that he was altering his net worth on financial statements.

She alleged that Trump was manipulating the statements in an effort to receive tax and insurance benefits for the Trump Organization.

Trump was ordered to pay $355 million plus interest in response to this case. According to The Hill, it is estimated that Trump’s payment could surpass $450 million.

The New York Attorney General stated that Trump will have to pay the court or secure a financial bond in the next 30 days.

According to the New York Times, this transaction will not cause Trump to declare bankruptcy because the majority of his wealth is held in real estate which is worth more than $450 million.

This ruling comes as Trump is currently in the lead to secure the 2024 Presidential Election Republican nomination.

Aleksei Navalny Dies Aleksei Navalny, a fierce oppositionist of Russian President Vladimir Putin died on Friday. According to the Russia Federal Penitentiary Service, he was 47 and was found dead in the Russian prison

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

This Week in Politics where he was currently serving a sentence until at least 2031.

It was reported by the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service that Navalny was feeling unwell after a walk and collapsed leading to his death. However, no official cause of death has been announced yet.

Navalny was serving his sentence at a special regime penal colony at the time of his death. That is considered to be one of the highest security prisons in Russia.

Navalny was known for challenging Putin’s leadership and promoting democracy. He led protests on the streets of Russia and utilized social media as an effort to draw attention to Putin’s actions.

In response to his advocacy, Navalny endured physical attacks, a poisoning in 2020, and spoke about his fears of being assassinated. In February 2021, he was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after returning from Russia to Germany after being poisoned. In March 2022, he was sentenced again to 9 years for embezzlement and fraud. According to the New York Times, international observers believed that this sentence was “politically motivated and a scam”. The sentence that Navalny was currently serving was for extremism against the government. He was scheduled to serve for 19 years.

Trump’s NATO Comments On Feb. 10, former president Donald Trump made comments concerning NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Russia.

In a campaign rally in South Carolina, Trump showed support for Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to any NATO member country that does not satisfy the NATO spending guidelines, reports CNN. His comments suggest that

Donald Trump makes comments on the US-NATO relations at a campaign rally.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

if Trump were to be reelected this fall, he would not necessarily respect NATO’s core collective-defense clause.

Trump continued, “NATO was busted until I came along.

I said, ‘Everybody’s gonna pay.’

[NATO member countries] said, ‘Well, if we don’t pay, are you still going to protect us?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ They couldn’t believe the answer.”

He asserted that “one of the presidents of a big country” asked him if he would defend the U.S. ‘s NATO allies if an invasion by Russia were to occur.

Trump informed his audience, “In fact, I would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want. You got to pay. You got to pay your bills,” he stated, referring to the United State’s NATO allies.

President Joe Biden weighed in on his political opponent’s comments in a campaign video. “[Trump’s comments make] it clear that he will abandon our NATO allies,” Biden stated. “He intends to give Putin a greenlight for more war and violence, to continue his brutal

assault against a free Ukraine, and to expand his aggression to the people of Poland and the Baltic States [which is] appalling and dangerous.”

Trump defended his comments after receiving backlash. He reiterated his opinion at another rally in South Carolina: “Look, if they’re not going to pay, we’re not going to protect. OK?” His continued support of his opinion demonstrates his very real intention of supporting a Russian attack on the United States’ non-paying NATO allies if he were to assume the presidency in the next election cycle.

During his 2016-2020 term in office, Trump had “privately threatened multiple times to withdraw” the US from NATO, the New York Times reports.

He has previously described the alliance as “obsolete,” demonstrating his stance on the NATO alliance. Another presidential term for Trump could lead to, at the very least, tension on behalf of the United States within the international alliance.

BSU Black Excellence Awards Preview Kellyn Zirn Staff Writer Continued from p.1 McFarlane shared how she felt when she learned she was nominated.

“I was honored to see my name listed under the nominations for ‘Ms. Black and Involved,’” McFarlane said. “During my time at Villanova, I’ve tried to stay involved in extracurriculars that would help me meet other students with similar interests and build my resume, such as The Villanovan. I’ve used my roles in organizations to help uplift the Black community by writing stories covering BSU events and helping students with my scholarship come together as president of my scholarship board, St. Martin de Porres. It’s an honor to have my work recognized by others in the community, and I’m excited to see how the awards pan out.”

Junior Dean Millard felt “humbled” and “honored” to be nominated for four Black Excellence awards.

“It is truly gratifying to be viewed as a leader and positive role model in Villanova University’s Black community,” Millard said. “I

strive to help create greater opportunities for future generations of Black students at Villanova. My service is rooted in the advancement of all Villanovans, specifically underrepresented groups. I am grateful for the way Villanova’s Black community has embraced, accepted and supported me throughout my experience. I am proud to be nominated with various other impactful Black students at Villanova that have worked diligently to help our university grow.”

Senior Lindsay Redditt reflected on when she found out about her nomination for the Miss Black Advocate Award.

“I was so excited,” Redditt said. “I had no idea that I was even nominated until I got an email from BSU informing me of my nomination. I really love the idea of highlighting Black students across campus because we don’t really have anything currently that shows off Black students from every college. I think, especially during Black history month, we don’t always include ourselves as students when making posts or having events, we usually highlight people from the past or staff members. So I love that we are doing that now and recognizing students that are doing important

work on and off-campus. I was specifically excited to be nominated for this because I do lots of things on and off-campus and hope that I’m making an impact. So, I’m really grateful that someone noticed this and wanted to recognize me for this award. Regardless if I win or lose, I am happy that I was even nominated. And I know that whoever wins the award, truly earned it.” “[The Black Excellence

Awards] will be a time for the Black community to strengthen relationships, highlight the contributions of our leaders and inspire a new wave of black leaders at our university,” Millard said.

The ceremony is certainly an award show one won’t want to miss. This year’s nominees deserve all the support to reflect their memorable accomplishments as Villanova students.

Villanova’s Black Student Union announces the nominees for the Black Excellence Awards.

Courtesy of @novabsu on Instagram

4 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

OPINION

OPINION

Orientation Counselors Deserve to be Paid Lexie Scibilia Staff Writer As a freshman at Villanova, I have witnessed the dedication and selflessness of our Orientation Counselors, who are more affectionately known to many as OCs. These student leaders play a crucial role in welcoming new students and easing their transition to college life.

Amidst their unwavering commitment, it’s essential to recognize the sacrifices they make and the value they bring to our community.

“I just love it so much,” junior and current OC Lily Matranga said.

“Of course, I’m gonna do it even for free.”

Matranga’s words encapsulate the passion and enthusiasm that many of these OCs bring to their roles.

Their genuine love for the University and desire to support their peers drive them to devote countless hours to Orientation activities, mentorship and community-building.

Becoming an OC is far from a casual commitment. It’s a significant undertaking that requires considerable time and effort. From the mandatory training in mid-August to the conclusion of the Orientation program, OCs must be fully present and available to support new students. This means sacrificing precious summer break time, as well as potentially leaving internships or summer jobs early to fulfill their responsibilities.

Orientation counselors celebrating the first day of 2023 Orientation Week.

Courtesy of @novaorientation on Instagram

For many students, summer internships or jobs are not just opportunities for personal and professional growth, but they also serve as crucial sources of income. Having to cut these experiences short to serve as an OC can place a significant financial burden on students, making it difficult to meet their financial needs during the academic year.

The decision to be an OC should not require students to choose between financial stability and supporting their peers. Compensating Villanova’s OCs would not only

alleviate this dilemma but also ensure that the Orientation Program benefits from a diverse pool of student leaders.

By providing fair wages for OCs’ time and effort, Villanova can attract and retain talented individuals from all financial backgrounds, enriching the experience for incoming students and fostering a more inclusive campus community, something Villanova says it strives to promote.

Moreover, recognizing the value of OCs through compensation sends a powerful message about the importance of their contributions.

These student leaders serve as mentors, guides and sources of support during a critical period of transition for incoming students. OCs invest themselves, emotionally and mentally, in supporting their peers during a time of significant transition.

They provide guidance, support and a sense of belonging to incoming students, often serving as trusted confidants during challenging moments in the adjustment to college life. Their willingness to prioritize the needs of others over their own is commendable and deserves to be acknowledged. This work does not stop when classes begin. OCs are friendly faces for students throughout the school year. They emphasize how members of their group can text them at any point during the school year and can ask them anything, from restaurant recommendations to how to handle roommate conflicts.

Compensating Villanova’s OCs is not just a matter of fairness.

It’s an investment in the well-being and success of the wider community. By acknowledging their sacrifices and valuing their contributions, Villanova is upholding the principles of equity, inclusion and mutual support that define the Villanova experience. As we celebrate the passion and dedication of our OCs, let us also ensure that they receive the recognition and compensation they deserve for their invaluable service to the University and the comfort they provide to our newest members.

Blackboard Is Not a Good Fit for Villanova

Avery Chalk Co-Opinion Editor

has a unified calendaring feature, students must manually update assignments without a streamlined submission system. This results in the After 12 years of using use of paper planners or other organiGoogle Classroom for high school zational tools, effectively defeating the assignments, switching to Blackboard purpose of a unified system altogethwas perplexing at best and infuriating er. at worst. While I consider myself to “I use my planner every day be relatively proficient in Microsoft to keep track of my homework,” systems, I have several qualms about freshman Lily Lincoln said. “Microthe platform’s practicality for use in soft’s calendar isn’t connected to my higher education.

Blackboard, and it’s frankly more of a At first, I chalked up my dishassle than it’s worth.” satisfaction to a lack of acclimation to In switching to Blackboard, the interface. I gave myself an entire one of the University’s goals was to semester to learn how to utilize Black- cultivate increased student-faculty board (though, it realistically took only collaboration. Previously, professors a week or two). While I have since and other administrative bodies used gotten the hang of it, I have conclud- Microsoft systems, while students ed that the platform has all of the nec- primarily used Google. essary tools to help students succeed.

“The decision to switch from However, in practice, its configuration Google Workspace to Microsoft relies too much on professor compeOffice 365 was centered on increasing tency to be universally effective. collaboration, enhancing cybersecuFor example, Google Classrity and preparing our students for a room and Canvas have designated modern workforce,” Jonathan B. Hartabs for assignments. As such, homedy, Deputy Chief Information Officer work and deadlines are made clear, at Villanova University, said. strikingly displayed on the website’s “Students have been using a front page. While Blackboard offers different email, calendar and docuthis option in some capacity, most ment platform than the faculty and professors bury their classwork under graduate students with whom they various virtual folders. Thus, course regularly interact,” he said. “Bringing organization varies immensely. This students, faculty and staff together inconsistency not only makes assignin the Microsoft environment will ments hard to find, but adds confuimprove students’ ability to work and sion for students who must remember communicate with faculty and TAs at how each class is structured.

Villanova, increase functionality with Also lacking from Blackboard other Microsoft Office 365 tools (like is a calendar that populates assignOneDrive and unified calendaring) ments automatically. While Microsoft and provide a smoother end-to-end

Blackboard’s systems are incompatable for a modern educational enviornment.

Katelyn Van Mater/Villanova Photography

user experience.”

While I understand the objective behind switching to Microsoft Office 365 for increased uniformity, the University fell short in its execution of this goal. Blackboard greatly caters to the needs of professors, rather than those of students. Other Microsoft-oriented submission systems, like Canvas, would have been better suited for the needs of all university members and not just faculty.

Canvas was designed to address problems seen in Blackboard and similar systems. The platform is allegedly more user-friendly, excelling in features such as locked browsers and timed tests. Canvas also allows students to share course materials, allowing them to connect not only with admin but with fellow peers. These updates further reinforce the idea that

Microsoft can undoubtedly be utilized in beneficial ways, but only if given the opportunity.

“I don’t mind using [Microsoft] Outlook or Word, especially since it’s more realistic for the working world,” Lincoln said. “What bothers me is the little things. It’s hard to make a discussion post, it’s hard to see grades and it’s hard to keep track of what’s due. It definitely gets frustrating.”

Lincoln’s point rings true for many students, especially those who have seen their grades suffer from struggling to find an assignment or forgetting to turn homework in. While personal accountability and time management are important skills for those in higher education, the University should strive to foster these habits instead of confusing the process.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Villanovan | 5

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

EMMA CAHILL Editor-in-Chief ARDEN WEST Editor-in-Chief BROOKE ACKERMAN Associate Editor-in-Chief AVERY CHALK Opinion Editor KAILEY FAHY 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.

POLICY

The unsigned editorial that appears is the opinion of The Villanovan as determined by the majority of the Editorial Board. Other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Villanovan.

Villanova’s Relationship Culture is Out of Hand Kailey Fahy Co-Opinion Editor “Look around. College is the best place to meet *the one*—but we’re not gonna be here forever.”

This is the opening line of the Marriage Pact, an online questionnaire that, upon completion, promises to use an algorithm to pair you with your potential soulmate based on your answers. While the questionnaire itself is low-pressure, as it just simply asks its users to rate their preferences on a numeric scale from one through seven. The underlying implications of quizzes like these often trigger stress among members of the Villanova student body. More specifically, single members.

According to a 2009 article in The Villanovan, 65% of the 2004 Villanova graduates are married to a fellow alumnus. This statistic makes sense, as many Villanovans share the same core values and have the same goals in life, making them compatible matches. However, it can put expectations and pressure on current Villanova students to find their potential matches during their time at the University.

The urge to find a potential spouse in college also stems from the fact that it is a place that serves as a “‘planning phase” for the rest of your life. Students begin to map out what their lives will look like during their college years and select everything from where they will live to what they will work as. So, naturally, who they will spend their life with

Students around campus have been filling out the Marriage Pact in hopes of finding a match Avery Chalk/Villanova Photography

is a potential consideration. But the question is, should it be?

While not all Villanova students feel this sense of pressure, it is fair to say that a good amount do.

This claim is supported by the 3,007 students who filled out this year’s Marriage Pact, which is about 43% of the undergraduate population.

Even if students say they are just filling out the questionnaire “for fun,” quizzes like this still foster a sense of

urgency in finding someone before graduation day.

This sense of urgency is contrary to what the college experience is supposed to entail. College is advertised as a time of self-discovery and fostering one’s own passions. It is difficult to imagine being able to find yourself and your future fully if the decisions you make are being even slightly influenced by someone else. This is not to say if you are in

a relationship that you cannot find the answer to this question of who you are during your four years, it just seems counterproductive to be actively searching for someone else given the context of this question.

Despite sentiments from “relationship experts” and older sisters on finding yourself before entering a relationship, this advice does not alleviate the overwhelming sense of loneliness people feel, especially with flooded Instagram feeds of seemingly happy couples on holidays like Valentine’s Day. So, on the heels of this celebration of romance, many took the leap of faith and filled out this questionnaire, viewing it as a potential avenue to meet someone.

While it’s contrary to what college is supposed to be about, wanting to find someone to potentially spend the rest of your life with can be tied back to this being the planning phase of life. Having that stability of a relationship is comforting, especially with the uncertainty of starting a new career and moving to a new city. But, often, it can feel as though people’s main goal is to find someone and if they don’t achieve this, they are somehow a failure. Even the Marriage Pact encourages users to fill it out because “It’s better safe than sorry.”

While people in healthy relationships are typically happy, they are not the be all and end all to achieve joy in one’s life. Spending time in college discovering who you are is ultimately going to prove to be more fruitful than the results of a romantic questionnaire.

Toxic Positivity: Helpful or Harmful?

Quinlyn Elliot Staff Writer When something bad happens, do you dismiss it with “Everything happens for a reason?” Or do you justify it by talking about how much worse things could be? If this sounds like you, then you may be a perpetrator of toxic positivity.

The rise of this saying has been heavily promoted by social media and influencers. In addition to this, the health and wellness industry has seen a recent and exponential rise in popularity. McKinsey & Company conducted a survey in which 58% of U.S. respondents said they are prioritizing wellness more now than they did a year ago. Nutrition, fitness, mindfulness and mental health are just a few focuses of the industry.

Roughly estimated to be worth 1.5 trillion dollars globally, the wellness market is booming, as the same survey reveals that millennials and members of Generation Z

spend more than their elders on wellness products. This statistic makes sense, as wellness companies are constantly sponsoring online influencers to promote their products to their large audiences. This in turn causes many of their audience members to go out and buy these products.

Practicing gratitude is an extremely prevalent and widely-analyzed concept in the emotional wellbeing sector of health and wellness.

Guided gratitude journals are widely sold, and many mobile apps, which provide users with prompts and reminders, are specifically designed for gratitude journaling. Gratitude practices have been introduced into educational settings as well as in corporate wellness programs. In addition to this, numerous books and articles have been published on the topic.

Positivity is trending. Countless academic institutions, government institutions and medical research centers have reported the health benefits of expressing gratitude in terms of improving mood,

reducing stress and enhancing life satisfaction, including Harvard Health, Mayo Clinic Health System and the CDC. These centers are well-regarded and considered to be reliable and influential sources of information, but they don’t warn readers of the harmful effects of extremism. When does positivity turn into negativity?

Toxic positivity terms the unhealthy and unrealistic expectation that one should always maintain a positive mindset, even at the expense of suppressing or invalidating any negative emotions. In simple terms, this means that whenever someone experiences an upsetting occurrence in their life, they are encouraged to respond with only positivity instead of being allowed to express the anger or sadness they are likely feeling.

Some behavioral examples of how this toxic positivity can manifest itself in a negative way include comparing suffering, dismissing genuine concerns, blaming individuals for their emotions and ignoring mental health challenges.

While positivity is generally beneficial, toxic positivity can become harmful when it dismisses genuine struggles, emotions, challenges and trauma in the effort of reframing events in a positive light.

In these cases, rather than rewiring one’s mindset to look at the positive, practicing ingenuine gratitude only serves to conceal existing problems.

This unhealthy coping mechanism delays the constructive processing of negative emotions that is crucial to development and progress.

Combating toxic positivity involves healthy communication and recognizing and promoting a more balanced and empathetic approach to emotions. Employing empathy, understanding and active listening to take a healthier and more supportive approach to mental well-being.

Emphasize self-compassion and acknowledge the complexity of human emotions to encourage a more sensitive and intuitive gratitude practice. It is important to stay wary of the dark side of always looking on the bright side.

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

OPINION

I’ve Cursed Philadelphia Sports Sof Quaglia Satire Columnist The following content is purely satirical and entirely fictional. Don’t believe everything you read!

This is my formal apology to the city of Philadelphia, its surrounding areas and really anyone who loves sports. Recently, there has been a plague on Philadelphia sports. This year, with one bad National League Championship Series attempt and one incredibly upsetting NFL season, it is obvious that Philly sports have an issue, and that issue is me. I have cursed Philly sports, and I am here to apologize.

This all started last March when I bought a Rhys Hoskins jersey.

Hoskins had been a steady, consistent and reliable beating heart of the Phillies for six years. For six years, I was a silent fan who owned no merch.

The day after I bought that jersey, he tore his ACL. He didn’t play the rest of the season, and his contract ended.

He’s no longer on the Phillies. By buying that jersey, I tore the beating heart out of the city of Philadelphia, and

there is nothing I can do to fix that.

Without Hoskins, the Phillies didn’t have the manpower nor the spirit to make it to the World Series, and that is entirely my fault.

During Fall Semester, I became friends with a Texas Rangers fan (not to be confused with a Philly Phanatic, if I’m even allowed to use that word anymore). I quickly learned that Rangers fan Kaitlyn Walker’s team was going to make it to the World Series, while I accidentally cursed mine. Although Walker already hated Philly sports and had some very choice words to say about them that I will not share, she agreed that I definitely put a curse on the Phillies.

“Yeah, Sof cursed the Phillies, and I got to benefit from it,” Walker said. “It was kind of funny.”

During Fall Semester, I was lucky enough to explain both the game of baseball and the Phillies lore to another freshman. Unfortunately, a few minutes into my explanation of baseball, Fatima Salman began to cry, as it was just too much to bear.

“Anyone who can make you cry while explaining a sport defi-

Despite their loss, Villanova students still enjoy attending games.

Courtesy of Matt Ryan

Villanova students frequently sport Eagles merch, like this jersey.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

very dramatic shift: me. That’s the only logical explanation.

Please do not blame Kyle Neptune. You have to blame the real villain here.

Unfortunately for Villanova, I do intend to stay here until my graduation in three years, and wherever I go, my curse is bound to follow. I just hope you all have it in yourselves to forgive me.

Maybe one day I will be able to harness this curse for good, but for now, I would just like to say how sorry I am for everything that was put into motion by my love of this area and its sports.

So, before the Phillies’ season officially begins in a few weeks, let me just say that if anything goes wrong, it’s my fault. Forgive me, Bryce Harper. I know not what I do.

nitely has the ability to curse that sport,” Salman said, when asked about the curse.

Like I said, the curse isn’t just limited to baseball, though. It is all Philly sports, and possibly just sports, in general. I never liked the Eagles. I just wasn’t a fan. I can’t be blamed for the Super Bowl loss last year, but I can be blamed for the massacre that was its second half of the 2023 season. I watched as the team dominated for the first half of the season, and I was impressed. In December, I decided to ask for Eagles merch for Christmas.

The second I put that Jason Kelce jersey on my Christmas list, the season took a turn, and all of a sudden Kelce was practically announcing his retirement. I do not have words to express the guilt I have over that.

If it wasn’t for me, maybe a different Kelce would be celebrating a Super Bowl win this month.

I would like to make a special apology to my school, as well. Now, I only attended one football game during Fall Semester. As soon as I got there, it started to storm, and play had to be paused. This was the only bad omen I needed. That was enough for me to know not to attend any more football games, even if I desperately wanted to. Luckily, I didn’t mess anything up too badly, and we kept a winning record.

I have yet to attend any basketball games, men’s or women’s, because I am too scared to bring my bad energy into the equation. However, I think my curse might have seeped through my application last year. Since I applied here, the men’s basketball record has registered several losses, as compared to previous years. It did not look this way during the 2021-2022 season. There is only one thing that could have caused this

Has Sof cursed our beloved Eagles, or was it simply not their year?

Courtesy of Shutterstock

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Villanovan | 7

CULTURE

CULTURE

The Singing Valentine’s Tradition Lives On Julia O’Keefe Staff Writer continued from p.1 them is absolutely priceless,” sophomore and Singers Fundraising Chair Ben Mongirdas said.

Singers President, junior Carter Smith, agreed.

“The reactions on people’s faces are the best,” Smith said.

“Sometimes you have to pound on the door, really loud, to get someone to come to the door. And it’s, like, in your first waking moments, you see four tuxedoed idiots walk into your bedroom while you’re just gaining consciousness.”

While the Singers have a blast delivering Valentines, it’s natural for recipients to feel a bit embarrassed receiving a performance in front of entire academic classrooms. In-person grams are typically marked by a special reserved seat at the front of the classroom so the entire room can watch the delivery.

Senior Matt Krase said that

he felt some natural embarrassment upon receiving an unexpected singing Valentine from his family during one of his classes.

“At first, I felt a little embarrassed and thought to myself, ‘Wow, I’m really about to get serenaded in front of my classmates,’” Krase said.

“I actually got a hot flash and felt my face get all red.”

Krase sat in the back row of his evening construction engineering class thinking he was in the clear, until four students in tuxedos walked to the classroom door and through the rows of tables right towards him in the back of the room. After the initial embarrassment subsided, however, Krase admitted he was glad to have received a singing Valentine.

“The singers told me my parents sent them,” he said. “So I couldn’t help but smile knowing that I am loved.”

This is what the Singers find the most joy in themselves. Treasurer of Singers, sophomore Aleko Zeppos, enjoys going to all different places on campus and meeting new people, which he believes enhances the cherished tradition.

In class or in the dorms, many had the privilege of witnessing the singers in action.

Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

The Villanova Singers made many surprise visits to classrooms across campus.

Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

“I just loved seeing the smiling faces on everyone, whether it was 7 [a.m.] or in the afternoon,” Zeppos said. “Well, we probably didn’t get too many smiles at 7 a.m. because people were upset that we were waking them up, but later in the day, we had some awesome people really excited to see us. It’s really special.”

This year was a record-setting year for Valentine sales, with more than 500 Valentines delivered across various mediums, proving that the Singers’ Valentines sales have rebounded since the Covid years. The men were out singing all day long, a testament to the singing Valentines’ beloved history. The group looks forward to this day every year and expects the tradition to sustain long after current members graduate.

“The fact that we have such a wide base of people that will get Valentines and send us all around, running around campus all day long is always fun,” Smith said. “We’re

very grateful for all the people who fund us and pay for Valentines.”

Zeppos encourages anyone looking for a brotherhood and a medium to celebrate music to join the Singers, shouting out director Ted Latham and the organization as a whole.

“If anyone saw what we were doing and thought, ‘Man, I would love to be in a tuxedo next year doing these Valentine grams, too,’ the Singers is such a great organization,” Zeppos said. “You can show up to a practice. We would love anyone to show up. It’s free to join, and it’s a lot of fun.”

With this year’s Valentine’s Day behind us, there’s no choice but to look ahead to the opportunity to send your loved ones a singing Valentine gram next year. For now, thank you to the Villanova Singers for another year of delivering smiles, some flushed faces and love with every singing Valentine.

Villanova Marriage Pact: Will You Meet Your Match?

school has been abuzz with chatter surrounding the Marriage Pact.

But what exactly is it?

The Marriage Pact is a Villanova is commonly denationwide platform that sends out picted as a place to meet one’s part- a quiz to each participating school. ner, according to a famous statistic It is a 50-question quiz regarding (or myth) on campus claiming that one’s values, preferences and rela70% of Villanovans marry sometionship non-negotiables. This year, one from Villanova. The “Marriage the database received more than Pact” might just lead you to finding 3,000 submissions by Villanova stuyour special someone and becomdents longing to find their so-called ing part of the 70%. This week, the “soulmate” on Lancaster Avenue.

Alexandra Pultz Staff Writer

Olivia Dupre pictured with her match and now longtime boyfriend, Ethan Brown.

Courtesy of Olivia Dupre

“I signed up because I felt everyone else on campus was, and I was interested in seeing what it was,” freshman Jackson Dollenberg said.

Word of the tradition spread quickly this semester, with tales of past matches passed down from upperclassmen to eager freshmen. Participants received an email last Thursday night with a “hint” of who their partner would be, including the first and last initial of their intended match. While potentially subject to change, this heightened the anticipation of impending results. Matches came out this past Monday at 10:30pm, sending participants further into a frenzy.

Due to a disproportionate amount of female participants, matches are not guaranteed to be romantic. The algorithm can also generate a platonic match based on survey answers. Junior Anna Callahan is a loyal Marriage Pact participant who has received a variety of results.

“I heard about it my freshman year because a bunch of my friends were talking about it,” Callahan said. “I signed up for it and I have done it all three years. The first year I signed up late, so I got a friend-match because there weren’t enough participants. Sophomore

year, I matched with a guy and we just followed each other on Instagram. This year, I filled it out and am waiting to hear back.”

Some, like Callahan, never end up connecting with their platonic or potentially romantic matches. For others it has sparked a budding romance. Junior, Olivia Dupre, was matched with her current boyfriend Ethan Brown through the pact. A walking success story, the pair have been dating for almost two years all due to the quiz. “[I] probably would have never met him if I didn’t get him as my Marriage Pact [match],” Dupre said.

After all, the Marriage Pact is not for 100% compatibility, and there is no guarantee of a perfect match. While you may not find your future soulmate, this quiz surely generates a buzz of excitement and anticipation during Spring Semester. You may meet a new friend or find your future spouse, so why not take the chance of true love and fill it out?

If you missed your chance this year, consider participating in years to come. If you were fortunate enough to receive a match, why not ‘drop them a line’? What’s there to risk if you could potentially be part of the 70%?

Wednesday, February 21 2024

CULTURE

8 | The Villanovan

A Night at the Winter Gala

Christopher Brown Staff Writer On Friday, Feb. 16, approximately 2,200 students engaged in an unforgettable night of festivities at the annual Winter Gala held in the Connelly Center. The event was full of arresting lights, exquisite delicacies and dazzling moves on the dance floor that united the student body.

The Winter Gala festivities were open to all undergraduate students, and ran from 9 p.m. to midnight. During the event, the Connelly Center was transformed into a luscious banquet hall.

“It felt like a different room and atmosphere,” senior Matt Owens said regarding the Winter Gala’s decorations.

When first entering the Connelly Center, students in attendance witnessed a springing fountain that glimmered under the fluorescent lights installed around the main lobby. The President’s Lounge, located to the left of the fountain, served as a coat check and appetizer room, home to abundant servings of savory shrimp cocktails with charcuterie.

The Villanova Room was where the main event of the night was held. What normally acts as the site of important conferences, addresses or presentations on campus instead boasted an enormous tile floor where an overwhelming number of students danced until

they dropped.

“The DJ was awesome,” freshman Jordan Tiday said. “I’d be happy to see him again next year.”

The DJ was playing some of the greatest hits from the 2000s, such as Sean Kingston’s “Fire Burning” and Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.”

Elegantly structured towers with white palm tree-like leaves and white flowers filled the Villanova Room. The walls were adorned with black designs that came together like flower petals.

Villanova’s famous art gallery room and the area preceding the meeting rooms upstairs became the center of casino games and a live band’s rock music. Students paid for chips and bet them all on the chance to win raffle tickets in games like roulette and blackjack.

Students could enter their tickets into the lottery for the opportunity to get a free dinner for four at The Refectory on campus.

The variety of options in Belle Air Terrace was mouthwatering. There was a nacho bar with the options of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, guacamole and salsa; Spanish empanadas filled with beef, buffalo chicken and spinach, and two taco bars with choices of pinto beans, cilantro rice, roasted Mexican vegetables and pollo asado. The Cinema Lobby food station offered tasty finger foods like curly fries, mini cheeseburgers, pigs-in-a-blanket and the consensus

favorite of the night among students: macaroni-and-cheese bites.

“There were a lot of options for food, which is good,” senior Santiago Martinez said.

Multiple cakes, of both vegan and gluten-free fashions, were available in the white tent located next to Connelly Circle.

The flavors ranged from red velvet to vanilla to various chocolate options. Candied toppings, such as chocolate-covered pretzels, jellybeans and Jolly Ranchers, were also on hand. Large golden cages and tables sporting elegant snowflake designs decorated the tent, fitting the theme of the momentous occasion.

Many students in attendance expressed the sentiment that

the student body does not get many opportunities to unite together, so they appreciated the chance for community building that the gala presents.

“I found that going to the gala was an excellent way to have a blast and make new memories,” junior Connor Redman said.

“I think it’s really great that the University offers this for us,” senior Rachel Jordan said.

The 2024 Winter Gala was a hit among students and was a great opportunity to appreciate the people that make Villanova special.

“This is a time to not only enjoy time with your best friends, but also relish being in the company of your university family,” sophomore Nick Williams said.

Students enjoy all the festivities of the Winter Gala in the transformed Connelly Center.

Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

VillaVogue: Tailgate Fashion Highlights Ciara Dursee Staff Writer As the beloved Villanova basketball games held at Wells Fargo Stadium come to a close for the season, we can take some time to reflect on the most important part of gamedays: tailgate outfits.

We all want to be unique, stylish and spirited, while also dressing to accommodate the hours on our feet and the sometimes brutal temperatures. So, let’s discuss some of this season’s highlights, shall we?

Denim-on-Denim: There has been endless controversy over this look in the past year. Personally, I have been loving the Canadian Tuxedo, denim-on-denim trend. Especially when our school colors are blue and white, the outfit has immense potential. A medium-wash pair of jeans with a matching jean jacket, slightly oversized, was a winning look this season. Add a pair of black sunglasses and white samba sneakers, and you are set for the game.

Bomber Jacket: Specifically, bomber jackets with an embroidered “Villanova” spanning across the back are very popular. I am a huge fan of these jackets to upscale any outfit, adding a touch of chic, athletic flair. These staple pieces, however, are tricky to find. The best place to look is our very own bookstore. Vintage bomber jackets are always an incredible steal if you’re lucky enough to come across one at your local thrift store.

Begin crafting fashionable tailgate outfits in preparation for next Wells Fargo season.

Courtesy of Ciara Dursee

Fuzzy Earmuffs: Earmuffs were a fan-favorite this season. While earmuffs have never been a wardrobe staple, when the temperature drops to a frigid degree, we’ll take anything. This season, tailgate attendees made them look superior. My preference was a simple pair of fuzzy, white earmuffs that were able to match every outfit, and doubled as a practical accommodation for the weather.

Tiny black sunglasses: There is a large variety of sunglasses to choose from when elevating a basic outfit, but one pair stands above the rest: tiny black shades. I never missed a chance to compliment someone with a cute pair of sunglasses. They are always a showstopper and a clear non-negotiable. Immediately browsing the web after my first Wells Fargo game, I found my favorite pair on Princess Polly’s online store: Creeper Sunglasses Tortoiseshell. Run, don’t walk.

Basic minimalist headband: This trend does not get enough credit for the power it holds today. A minimalist favorite that took over the runway in the 90s and has returned with intensity. This classic headwear will never go out of style.

One can get these closet essentials anywhere for a fair price. My go-to online order is on Amazon.

Wool Villanova Sweater: Honestly, I originally thought a white or blue sweater with “Villanova” stitched across the chest was too cheesy and out of style to wear to any game. Despite my prior perception, I have come to adore this piece. I was obsessed with a white wool sweater, slightly oversized, with blue lettering that perfectly matched our school colors. Where to find this? Etsy is your best option.

Faux Leather Sherpa Moto Jacket: Smooth on the outside, furry on the inside. Not just a cute look, but

also super practical for a late-night game when the temperature drops below 30 degrees. It is warm, durable and comfortable. Style it with a basic long-sleeve, a pair of baggy jeans and platform boots. Trust me, people will be asking you where your sherpa is from all night long.

Dr. Marten Smooth Leather Chelsea boots: People have been raving about Dr. Marten boots for years now, and I truly cannot blame them.

A versatile, timeless shoe that will be a staple piece in everyone’s closet for the foreseeable future. My current favorite is the Platform Chelsea Boots.

The slick leather ankle boot will make you walk with confidence. You can find these vital boots at several shops.

I recommend Marc Fisher and Steve Madden, in addition to the classic Dr. Marten brand.

At the end of the day, a good outfit is what delivers the confidence needed for every step of a Villanova game day. Choose a look that allows you to strut through the tailgate, grab your chicken fingers and crab fries and finally, sit to cheer on the Wildcats.

Wells Fargo tailgates coming to a close can only mean one thing; it’s time to start brainstorming looks for next year. I would like to congratulate our Wildcats on a successful campaign, and I don’t mean the basketball team. The largest victories of the season were the consistently wowing attire produced by us non-athlete Wildcats. I know I’m not alone in anxiously waiting to see what popular trends are brought to the stage. Or parking lot.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Villanovan | 9

CULTURE

Buena Onda: Bringing More than Tacos to the Table Brendan King Staff Writer The vibes are always good at this Main Line taqueria.

Buena Onda is a taqueria located on N. Radnor Chester Road in Radnor. Founded by Latin-American Chef Jose Garces, the restaurant does not focus solely on serving great food. According to its website, Buena Onda is “more than a fast casual taqueria, it’s a mindset.” The restaurant wants customers to not only eat good food, but to have a good time while doing so. After all, Buena Onda means “good vibes’’ in Spanish, and employees work hard to ensure that the restaurant lives up to its name.

Opened in late September 2022, the Radnor location is the newest addition to the lineup of Buena Onda restaurants. There are also locations in Philadelphia, including Fairmont, the Concourse at Comcast Center and, perfect for students attending Villanova basketball games, the Concourse at the Wells Fargo Center.

Madison Bertin, Marketing Manager at Buena Onda, speaks on the many different specials throughout the week, which add to the “Good Vibes” at this Baja-Inspired Taqueria.

The week begins with a “kidseat-free” deal on Mondays and is followed by a special margarita deal on Tuesdays.

“On Tuesdays, we offer $20 margarita pitchers, which is an amazing deal,” Bertin said. “It’s great for bringing in your friends.

You get your choice of a ‘Classic’ margarita, or you can pick

from one of our flavors, such as ‘Guava,’ ‘Watermelon’ or ‘Prickly Pear.’”

Any foodies on a budget will want to visit the restaurant on Friday, the day Buena Onda offers three-dollar chicken tacos all day.

Buena Onda also has a rewards program, and gives back to its most loyal customers by offering a “double points” deal on Sundays.

“We do have a mobile app, and we have a mobile rewards program,” Bertin said. “If you download our app to become a rewards member, you receive a five-dollar reward to use on your next order. If you’re a member, you receive rewards such as a free birthday tacos, and earn points on every order. Once you build up your points, you can get rewards such as $5, $10 and up to $20.

You can also share the app with your friends and you will both receive a $5 reward.”

Customers subscribed to the rewards program earn two points for every dollar, as opposed to normally earning one point for every dollar.

“On Sundays, you get double points, but you also get exclusive access to any promotions we’re running,” Bertin said. “You get to know about them first [and] you get to order faster on our app.

It’s honestly just really a great thing to have.”

Buena Onda also hosts a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.

Customers can enjoy half-price margaritas, four-dollar Buena Onda Baja Style Lager, fried fish tacos for $2.95 and chips and salsa for only one dollar.

Other future one-off specials will include deals for National Margarita Day on Feb. 22 and for

Cinco de Mayo.

These different promotions keep the Buena Onda experience fresh for customers, new or returning. No matter what day of the week, there is always something to look forward to.

With all these offerings, customers certainly have their favorite Buena Onda dishes. One of the top sellers is the grilled jumbo shrimp taco, which is glazed with tequila. Despite Bertin’s admitting to not liking seafood, this is her favorite dish.

“It is my favorite thing,” Bertin said. “It’s not super fishy.

It’s so perfect. The glaze on the shrimp is amazing.”

Other popular favorites include Buena Onda’s mission-style burrito (a combination of a quesadilla and burrito), taco combo (two tacos with a side) and crispy shrimpsih taco (a vegetarian-style shrimp taco).

Buena Onda accepts a wide variety of payments, including mobile ordering (both Door-

dash and Grubhub) and most importantly for Villanovans, Nova Bucks. The Radnor location has been accepting Nova Bucks since its opening, wanting to make it easier for students to dine there.

Bertin believes that accepting Nova Bucks as payment can help students who may be apprehensive about spending their personal money. It provides a positive alternative for anyone who might not want to eat at a dining hall every night or overspend while eating out.

“Being a college student, you may not have a job,” Bertin said. “You’re working on a college budget, so going to a restaurant that accepts that and also runs these happy hour deals or specials makes you feel like you want to go in there and eat there.”

To learn more about Buena Onda, check out buenaondatacos. com, Buena Onda Tacos on Facebook, @BuenaOndaTacos on X and @buenaondatacos on Instagram.

Check out Buena Onda and all that they have to offer, including a variety of tacos.

Courtesy of Buena Onda

Ticket to (Blue) Ride Sofia Krzewicki Staff Writer “We’re just four college kids that want to play some music in their spare time,” sophomore Frank Spatoliatore said of his band, Blue Ride. “We just want to write original music and have fun.”

Spatoliatore is joined by peers JP Tampe, Jack Turula and Tony Wright. Together they are the band Blue Ride.

“All of us have different tastes,” Tampe, the band’s lead vocalist, said. “[And] if you dissect our songs, we each individually put our own spin on them.”

At the band’s first gig in December of 2023, it was immediately evident that each band member embodied a different genre of music. Wright, the drummer, is reminiscent of Mötley Crüe’s Tommy Lee, with his wild hair and musical technique. Turula’s riff skills are akin to those of Queen’s Brian May. Tampe sings Dr. Dog’s “Where’d All The Time Go?” in a style that would make Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder proud. Spatoliatore’s bass lines feel straight-off a record by The Cure. Nobody stands out, in the best way, and that is the

Don’t miss your chance to see this Villanova based band.

Courtesy of the Blue Ride band

way Blue Ride wants it.

“Everyone’s given a chance to be their own front man,” Tampe said.

“Look at The Beatles,” Wright said. “You need all of them.”

Blue Ride rejects the John Lennon solo career attitude of “I don’t believe in Beatles / I just believe in me” and embraces musical collaboration, cooperation and concord.

Blue Ride’s practice room is the embodiment of creativity

and spontaneity. The room, cluttered with instruments and sound equipment, matches the eclectic personality that each member brings. The mess—the mélange of artistry, musical interest and technique—just makes sense.

Blue Ride prides itself on being vehemently not a cover band. Currently, the members are transitioning away from covering Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and challenging themselves to write original music.

Their debut single, “Love-

sick,” sounds like something Patrick Verona and Kat Stratford would vibe to in Ten Things I Hate About You – think “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer meets the Goo Goo Dolls or Snow Patrol. A perfect blend of tradition and innovation, it is progressive, yet reserved. The band will play it live at its next gig on Friday, Feb. 23 at the Rusty Nail in Ardmore.

“Lovesick” is an homage to the original name of the band.

For a period of nine months, Blue Ride was nameless, and the members toyed with different ideas like Faith and Reason (a nod to the freshmen Communitas group at Villanova) and Lovesick.

“It was too emo-sounding,” Tampe said. “I didn’t want us to be associated with a certain type of thing.”

It wasn’t until this last summer that Wright suggested Quiet Ride.

“Then ‘Blue’ just came to mind because of Villanova,” Tampe said.

Whether or not the “Blue” signifies the feeling or the colors of the institution that brought these four men together, this group is untethered by genre conventions and enthusiastic about where this “Blue Ride” takes them.

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12| The Villanovan

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

CULTURE

Finding Motivation: Tips for Avoiding Winter Burnout Emma Cahill Co-Editor-in-Chief Feeling stressed, burnt out or tired from this winter weather?

Many Villanovans are feeling the same. With midterms approaching and temperatures feeling sub-zero, it can be hard to find motivation on a daily basis. To help guide you through this period of hibernation, here are some tips and tricks from fellow Villanovans on how to stay inspired in this dreary era.

Adopting a morning ritual can be a great way to find some motivation to start one’s day. Whether it be grabbing your favorite latte from Holy Grounds or heading to bulldog yoga for a class, grounding oneself in consistency has a great impact on one’s well-being. This is certainly the case for junior Natalia Garcia Luna, who talked about the importance of her morning ritual.

“Although it might sound silly, I have always found that I have a better start to my day when I sit by the window in my apartment for five minutes each morning,” Garcia Luna said. “It’s an important part of my morning ritual and helps me find motivation for the day.”

Although it can seem intimidating to brave the cold temperatures, some fresh air is always good for the soul. Put on some tunes or call your loved ones, and find peace in being around nature.

“I find a lot of joy in going on walks,” junior Ella Forese said.

“I love listening to my favorite podcasts and getting some fresh air. It always makes my day feel much better.”

Spending time with friends, fellow students and grounding oneself in community is a great way to de-stress. Freshman Francesca Sanelli echoes this advice, urging individuals to find some connection in their everyday life.

“Try to surround yourself with people, whether it be your friends or people from class,” Sanelli said.

On campus, there are various clubs and organizations that can function as resources to help battle burnout. One of these clubs, the Bandana Project, tries to find ways to get students talking about and aware of mental health during times like these. Junior Katie Formato, Co-Event Coordinator for the Bandana Project, discussed how the club is a great opportunity to find meaningful moments during this stressful time.

“As one of the event coordinators for the Bandana Project, we try to plan our meetings to allow people to talk to others whom they may not know,” Formato said.

“We want to build community within the Bandana Project and create a safe space where people can talk with others and make new friends. We also want people to learn new skills that they can take and use and share with friends or

family.”

Formato touched on one of the club’s tips for maintaining wellness, which was introduced at one of its recent meetings.

“At our general body meeting last week, we talked about self-care and affirmations,” Formato said. “It was a great way for everyone to share their favorite activities for self-care and I was able to learn about some forms of self-care that I have been trying to incorporate into my life. We also talked about affirmations and staying positive, which I think is very important when struggling

with burnout. When you talk to yourself positively and take things one step at a time it can help you be more productive and more efficient when you start to feel overloaded with work.”

The winter blues can be a really difficult time for all. But remember, take care of yourself in any way that you need. If an outdoor walk is not appealing, then take a nap or watch your favorite comfort show. And always remember, you are not alone in this. Ground yourself in companionship through friends, family and the Villanova community.

As the seasons change, so too must our habits in order to stay productive and healthy.

Gabi Frank/Villanovan Photography

This New Club May (K)not Be what You Expected Anna Schoorlemmer Staff Writer With midterms and Spring Break just around the corner, days at Villanova are starting to get busy. Between classes, extracurriculars, studying and spending time with friends, finding a moment to breathe can feel impossible.

Sound familiar? If you’re searching for a fun way to relax and take a break, look no further than the Villanova Friendship Bracelet Club. This new student organization is the perfect place to get creative and connect with friends. With 20 members and counting, they are growing fast here on campus.

Many students may feel that they don’t have as much time for hobbies they used to enjoy.

Founded by junior Gabi Manganello, the Villanova Friendship Bracelet Club is built upon cherished memories of bracelet-making with friends and cousins.

“I wanted to create a space where people could come in and just be themselves, relax and have a good time,” Manganello said.

“Our days here at ‘Nova can get pretty hectic, and I want people to come in and de-stress.”

Manganello said if she could pick just one word to describe bracelet-making, it would be “relaxing.”

“It is a totally stress relieving activity,” she said. “When making a bracelet, you have to focus on tying the right knots over

Relax and allow your creative side to shine at this new Villanova club.

Courtesy of Gabi Manganello

and over and over again. The only multi-tasking I can do when making a bracelet is either watching a movie, which we often do during meetings, or gabbing with my friends.”

It’s true, and the benefits don’t stop there. Numerous sources cite crafting as a healthy hobby.

It is a way to release emotions, increase connections and enhance brain productivity.

Freshman Ciara Dursee is a regular attendee of the club and loves the laid-back atmosphere of the space.

“I went to the last meeting, and it was so cute,” Dursee said.

“You could come in and leave any

time, and Gabi helps out and has videos for you to learn if you don’t know. There’s music playing, so it’s very calming and just a great way to rest after class.”

Although the club has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for everyone involved, Manganello shared that the early stages of the organization has presented some challenges, such as figuring out how to efficiently provide instruction to multiple people.

As the weather warms up, Manganello has further plans for the club beyond the therapeutic benefits. She envisions tabling near the Oreo and offering the Villanova community the chance to

purchase club members’ creations.

Manganello also shared that these sales would make an impact, as the money earned would go to a charity organization of the club’s choice.

Other clubs on campus regularly connect with members of surrounding communities. In addition to selling bracelets, Manganello is excited to partner with other organizations to make bracelets for the philanthropies they work with, such as Rays of Sunshine, in order to spread kindness and creativity even further.

The Villanova Friendship Bracelet Club convenes every Wednesday from 7 to 8 p.m., but the location varies. Manganello advises anyone interested to join the GroupMe for updates. The next couple weeks’ meetings will take place in Bartley 036.

Manganello’s advice to anyone hoping to start a club of their own is to simply “go for it.” She describes the process as incredibly rewarding and not too difficult.

“The process was very straightforward and I must shout out Jack Sherwood, the Assistant Director for Student Engagement, for being so supportive and helpful during the process,” Manganello said. “There is an application to fill out, and then I did a quick presentation on the club and it got approved.”

Whether one is seeking a stress-free activity or simply a chance to bond with other students, the Villanova Friendship Bracelet Club is a fun new opportunity to de-stress.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

The Villanovan | 13

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Women’s Lacrosse Defeats Bucknell, 16-12 Genna Cottingham Staff Writer On Saturday, Feb. 17, Villanova women’s lacrosse defeated Bucknell, 16–12, at Villanova Stadium.

With snow early in the morning, there was a chance of the game being postponed to later in the day. The Wildcats were still able to come onto the field for their second home game of the season.

“We are used to playing in different weather conditions,” head coach Jill Batcheller said.

“Our facilities team is amazing and really helped us get the game in at noon.”

This was Villanova’s first win of the season, moving the team up to fifth in Big East overall rankings. Bucknell is now 0–2 for the season and sits at seventh in the Patriot League standings. In their previous meeting in 2023, the Wildcats won, 12–10, in Lewisburg.

The starters on Saturday included sophomore defender Juliet Walls, junior defender Amelia Ricciuti, junior defender Maddy Stoddard, junior attacker Sami Carey and junior attacker Sydney Pappas. ‘Nova had seven freshman starters on the field, including defenders Katie Clark and Cailin Harrington, midfielders Rose Christie and Mary Moore, attacker Emma Verhoest, goalie Cate

Gallagher and redshirt freshman attacker Elena Torres.

“We had a good rhythm out there,” Christie said. “On offense we just wanted to start strong and that’s what we did today.”

Verhoest won the initial draw control against Bucknell’s senior defender Colleen Kelly.

Verhoest went on to achieve 14 draw controls and three turnovers the whole game.

Villanova went on a 7–0 scoring run to start off the game.

The Bisons did not score their first goal until senior midfielder Tatumn Kholbrenner scored four minutes into the

second period. The highest scorer for Bucknell was senior midfielder Emily Baird, who notched five goals on Saturday. With no goal-scoring in the entire first period, Bucknell scored 12 goals in the last three periods, scoring five in the third period.

The Wildcats had a team total of 18 fouls, three of which were called on Harrington. Comparatively, Bucknell had 24 team fouls. The Bisons had four players that received over three fouls.

Gallagher had 12 saves in net and was the Wildcats’ goalie for the full 60 minutes. Moore had her first career hat trick along with

Junior attacker Sydney Pappas scored four goals in the win over Bucknell.

Victoria Margenat/Villanovan Photography

five saves, three ground balls and three draw controls. “[We have to work on] the ground balls and protecting our sticks in the midfield, “ Batcheller said. “We have a lot of turnovers in those two areas and then just working together as a team on the defense.”

Pappas was the highest scorer of the game for the ‘Cats, scoring four goals, three of which were unassisted.

Senior attacker Kayla Gulmi had the highest assist count of the day with four. Gulmi also scored one goal. Christie scored two goals for the ‘Cats in the first two minutes of the game, both assisted by Gulmi. Torres had her first two career goals for ‘Nova, both unassisted. Carey scored for the Wildcats in the beginning of the third period.

“I think we got a lot more cross turnovers and goal scores in this game, which was exciting,” Batcheller said. “I think we have a couple little things to clean up, but overall, I was proud of the team.”

After the defeat of the Bisons, three Wildcats received Big East honors. Gallagher landed on the Weekly Honor Roll for goalkeepers. Pappas received attacker of the week, a feat she achieved several times last season. Emma Verhoest was named Big East Freshman of the week.

Villanova will travel to La Salle on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.

Wildcat Watch: Hockey Building Momentum on Campus Amanda McKean Sports Columnist At one point or another while going to school at Villanova, most sports fans reached a common question: “Why doesn’t Villanova have an ice hockey team?”

To answer this, it is important to note that Villanova does have a hockey team. Two, actually. However, Villanova’s men’s and women’s ice hockey teams are considered club teams, and therefore are not part of the advertised 24 varsity sports.

In reality, this is a common theme for most schools across the country, as the NCAA features 253 varsity ice hockey teams that are mainly located in the upper northeast and Midwest regions. In comparison, in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, where club teams compete, there are more than 450 ice hockey programs.

As for whether the Villanova Club Ice Hockey teams feel left out of their non-NCAA status, some athletes say they enjoy being club teams rather than varsity.

“I think we all love that we’re a club team,” WICE Co-President and forward Austen Elvekrog said.

“We love that we get to play competitively the sport that we love, but that this is not our entire life. We like having other outlets and experiences at Villanova.”

Rather than fighting to move

we’ve created a strong program that we rebuilt after COVID in the hopes that that would continue,” Elvekrog said. “And I don’t have any reason to believe that it wouldn’t. We have quite a talented group of girls and only four seniors graduating.”

As of now, the men’s club ice hockey team competes in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) division, where it sits fifth out of eight in the rankings, going 15-9 so Villanova women’s ice hockey is 13-2-2 on the season. far this season.

Courtesy of Zoe Garrett Senior forward Matt Arena leads the team in scoring and assists up to that level, athletes want to break forward Camryn Browne, so far with the stigma surrounding playing at the 22 goals and 16 assists. Freshman for- this season with 15 goals and 17 assists. club level. ward Elise Payne, the second leading The closest player to Arena’s “In terms of growing the scorer, proves how underclassmen are team, I think we’re all pretty comfort- making their mark. Payne has already tally is freshman forward Jonathan Nawrocki, who has secured 11 goals able with our schedule right now,” picked up 20 goals and 12 assists on and 11 assists. Among defensemen, WICE Co-President and forward the season.

MK Rusnock said. “We all balance Seniors Rusnock and Elvekrog junior Liam Tomczak has the most goals at 15 and ties Nawrocki in the a lot of things. A lot of these girls on have recent and future hopes for the most assists on the team. the team are so talented that they team this upcoming weekend.

Although the team’s next could have been in a D-3, maybe even “I’m hoping that we consisgame is on Feb. 23 against Lehigh, D-1 situation. But that’s not really the tently stay number one,” Rusnock the men will have to travel 30 minutes lifestyle that we wanted. So, we think said. “We’ve never won the cup for away to West Chester to play their club sports are like the hack to being our division, and that’s our goal this 3:30 p.m. game at Ice Line Area. an athlete and not letting that part upcoming weekend. In our division, Facilities are one of the bigof yourself go as an athlete, but still Navy and the University of Delaware gest challenges for both the men’s and being a college student at the same are the big teams that always win. women’s ice hockey teams. time.”

They don’t take us seriously because “I think obviously we would As of now, the women’s team we’ve only been number one last year love a closer arena,” Elvekrog said. “I plays in the Delaware Valley College and we lost to them in triple overknow there’s a new arena being built, Hockey Conference (DVCHC) divitime.”

I believe in Conshohocken, and that sion, where it is ranked number one The seniors expect the proclub sports, and our coaches have in the southeast region, with a 13-2-2 gram to continue to grow in the been in contact with them and there’s record. months after they graduate from hopes that in the future that could be Leading the team in scoring Villanova. our home rink.” and assists this season is sophomore “The plan and hope are that

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14 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Water Polo Goes 1-1 at Princeton Invitational WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

Brandon Nesmith Staff Writer This past weekend, Villanova split the Princeton Invitational and sits at 12–3 on the season.

The Wildcats will not return to action until March.

Villanova’s weekend started off with a 14-10 win over Bucknell.

Sophomore Ella Mattocks stood out in the win as she led the team with a career high five goals. As the team continues its historic start to the season, its success can be attributed to its chemistry.

“I think we talked about having energy and enthusiasm for each other and the energy we had outside of the pool directly translated into the pool,” Mattocks said.

Four other Wildcats tallied multiple assists, while junior Emily McKenzie had a hat trick. Amelia Baca and Anna Painter each added a pair of goals.

Captain Abigail Shelby picked up another victory while recording six saves, and captain Stella Byles hasn’t lost a sprint in 10 consecutive games, as she went 2-for-2 in Friday’s showing.

After the win, the team returned to action the next day to take on No. 19 Harvard.

This was a competitive first half of play, as the Wildcats trailed, 7-6, heading into the break. Harvard came out strong and pulled away in the second half

Feb. 14 - Feb. 20

Wednesday, February 14 Thursday, February 15

as the Cats lost, 15-7.

Freshman Tiffany Maguire led the Wildcats with a total of three goals, while Byles recorded three points in the loss. Shelby notched nine saves on the day, including two five meter saves, along

Water polo is off to a 12-3 start to the 2024 season.

Victoria Margenat/Villanovan Photography

with a steal in the matchup.

The team will use its two weeks off to prepare for the Convergence Tournament held in Pomona, CA. This is the last tournament before conference play begins.

M Tennis 1-2, W Tennis 1-0 Over Week Wakefield would team up yet again to beat Wagner’s Tonnicchi and Perez, with a score of 6-2. Monahan and Choi would lose, 6-4, in the two spot, Villanova’s men’s tennis team while Gordan and Khromchenko went 1-2 in a busy weekend that saw would secure the second doubles matches played against Delaware victory for Villanova with a 6-4 win.

(0-4), Wagner College (7-0) and Navy In singles, Robinson would (2-5). play in the one spot and win in a tieThe women’s team recorded a breaker, 6-3, 2-6, 10-6. Nguyen would win at Howard. fight back after losing his first set for a On Friday, Feb. 16, the men tiebreaking win against Wagner’s Peopened a double header with a road rez (5-7, 6-1, 10-5). Monahan would trip to play against the University of win in the third spot, shutting out his Delaware. opponent, 6-0 and 6-1, followed by In doubles play, senior Josh Khromchenko who would secure a Robinson and freshman Thomas singles victory following his two douWakefield played in the one spot and bles wins. In the final spot, Choi beat fell, 6-2, against the Delaware duo Wagner’s Darling, 8-0. of Karol Malirz and Javier Ruiz.

The men’s team followed Freshman Will Monahan and Junior up its double-header by traveling to Lukas Choi were defeated, 6-3, while Annapolis, Maryland, to play Navy, sophomore Cooper Gordon and where it would lose, 2-5. senior Eitan Khromchenko competed Robinson would play in the in the final doubles match, securing one spot to open up singles and would a 6-2 win over Delaware’s Gluck and beat Navy’s Legaspi with a 6-2, 6-3 Waterbolk. score. Nguyen would get closed out, In singles, Monahan fell, 6-1, 6-0, by Etterbeek and Monahan 6-2, and senior Ryan Nguyen fell with would fall short of a win, pushing the a similar score of 6-2, 6-3. Gordon match to the third round (7-6, 7-5, would fall in straight sets, both with a score of 6-1. Three matches ended in a draw due to an inability to finish the matches, with Robinson, Wakefield and Khromchenko slotted to play in the canceled matches After the team’s noon match against Delaware, the men traveled to the Bryn Mawr Racquet Club to play against Wagner College on the same day. This match would prove to be much more favorable for the Wildcats, as the men would sweep Wagner, 7-0.

In doubles, Robinson and Aidan Shay Staff Writer

6-2). Khromchenko would end up continuing his great weekend play with a tie breaking victory, and Choi would finish the series with a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Nguyen.

The men’s team will continue play next weekend with a home match against Franklin and Marshall College, on Feb. 23.

On Saturday, Feb. 17, the women’s tennis team traveled to Washington, D.C. to play Howard, Villanova won, 4-2.

In doubles, graduate students Amanda Rivera Gonzalez and Ami Grace Dougah competed in the opening spot and won, 6-3, over Howard’s Nadia Pegram and Imani Jean. Senior Bella Steffen and freshman Jenna Stevens won a back-and-forth battle, 6-4, while sophomores Maggie Gehrig and Emi Callahan’s match ended in a draw, due to it being unable to finish.

In singles, Dougah won over Howard’s Butcher, and Gehrig won in the two spot over Stibbins (7-5).

Junior Valieriia Kornieva would fall in a tiebreak, and Callahan would fall in straight sets (6-2, 6-2). Stevens would win, 6-3,6-4 over Hall and freshman

Women’s tennis is 2-6 overall.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Friday, February 16 Softball @ James Madison 5-8 L Men’s Tennis @ Delaware 0-4 L Baseball @ Incarnate Word 7-12 L Water Polo @ Bucknell 14-10 W Softball @ George Mason 5-6 L Men’s Basketball @ Georgetown 70-54 W Men’s Tennis vs Wagner 7-0 W Saturday, February 17 Women’s Tennis @ Howard 4-2 W Softball @ Lehigh Cancelled Women’s Lacrosse vs Bucknell 16-12 W Softball @ James Madison Cancelled Baseball @ Incarnate Word 6-7 L Water Polo @ No. 19 Harvard 7-15 L Men’s Lacrosse @ No. 9 Yale 11-13 L Women’s Basketball vs Butler 52-55 L Sunday, February 18 Men’s Tennis @ Navy 2-5 L Baseball @ Incarnate Word 6-9 L Softball @ George Mason 10-7 W Monday, February 19 Tuesday, February 20 Men’s Basketball vs Butler 72-62 W Lauren Monti’s match would end in a draw, due to the match being unable to finish.

“When a match is recorded as unable to finish, it is usually because of a time restriction or other instance,” head coach Steve Reiniger said. “For example, [Monti’s] match was the last singles match, and the result of the match was inconsequential to the final outcome of the match against Howard. Howard could have won that match, and the result would have been 4-3, we still would have won. Both coaches agreed to pull the match. When coaches do this, it’s called clinching, and it usually happens during the winter season when there is a time constraint.

“We have found some solid combinations so far in the season, but we are always looking to improve,” Reiniger said when asked about recent success and future lineup experimentation. “We believe we’ve found some other answers in doubles, and have noticed other plays stepping up when needed.”

The women’s team hopes to build off this victory and will travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 24 to play Bucknell.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

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The Villanovan | 15

Softball Finishes 1–2 at Weiler Invitational in VA Jon Hunn Staff Writer Villanova competed in its second tournament of the year, the Weiler Orthodontics Invitational in Harrisonburg, VA, this past weekend and finished with a record of 1–2.

In their first game on Friday, the Wildcats fell to James Madison, 8–5.

James Madison started hot in the bottom of the first, plating two runs on back-to-back RBI singles before adding another on an error.

Villanova scored its first runs in the top of the second.

Senior centerfielder Tess Cites was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home graduate first baseman Victoria Sebastian. Later that inning, the Wildcats tied the game, 3–3, when junior shortstop Ava Franz singled, sending home sophomore left fielder Madison Ostrowski and graduate catcher Ally Jones.

JMU regained the lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single.

In the sixth, Ostrowski put the Wildcats back in the lead, 5–4, when she crushed her first career home run. The two-run shot scored redshirt sophomore pinch runner Alexa Raphael. “[Ostrowski] has gotten bigger, faster, stronger,” head coach Bridget Orchard said. “She put a lot of work in the off-season

and she practices really hard so I think her confidence is up there.

She was excited about it and it put us in a position to win the game, which was a big deal for us.”

JMU loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with a single, double and hit batter. The Dukes’ Bella Henzler connected on a walk-off grand slam to centerfield, delivering Villanova a disappointing defeat to open the tournament.

Sophomore pitcher Kat Gallant took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits and a walk in 1.1 innings of work.

In the Friday nightcap, the Wildcats were narrowly defeated

by George Mason, 6–5.

The Patriots got on board first, scratching two unearned runs across in top of the first.

Villanova got a run back in the bottom of the first when redshirt junior first baseman Brooklyn Ostrowski knocked in senior left fielder Cites with an RBI double.

George Mason responded in the top of the second with four more runs. A home run, RBI double, sacrifice fly and run-scoring single made the score 6–1.

Villanova got back two runs in the bottom of the second.

Junior right fielder Kelsey White scored on a fielder’s choice and Cites scored on a sacrifice fly into foul territory from B. Ostrowski.

The Wildcats narrowed the margin to one run in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore

second baseman Maddie Burrows blasted her first career home run, scoring graduate DP Chloe Smith.

The Wildcats put the tying run on and brought the winning run up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Franz was punched out to end the game.

For Villanova, White took the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) on six hits in an inning and two-thirds in the circle.

Games against Lehigh and James Madison scheduled for Saturday were both canceled due to cold weather.

Instead, Villanova took on George Mason on Sunday to wrap up the Invitational. The ‘Cats defeated the Patriots, 10–7.

Villanova got scoring started in the second inning when Cites knocked in junior right fielder Elaina Wagner. Wagner scored later in the inning on an RBI single from Franz.

The ‘Cats added a run in the third, when Smith singled home redshirt sophomore pinch-runner Alexa Raphael with her 200th career hit. One more came in the fifth when sophomore DP Lilly St. Jean doubled home White. “[Smith] is just steady,” Orchard said. “It’s crazy we didn’t even know [her two hundredth career hit] was happening until after the fact. Definitely a big deal for her and for our program.”

George Mason put up its first runs in the bottom of the fifth

on a two-run homer, trimming the Villanova lead, 4–2.

The Wildcats responded with four more runs in the top of the sixth on a mammoth grand slam by Jones, her first home run of the year.

The Patriots were not done yet, as they took advantage of multiple Wildcat errors in the bottom of the sixth, adding five more runs and trimming the Villanova lead to 8–7.

The Wildcats added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh when Cites launched her first home run of the season, driving home Burrows and pushing the lead back to three.

Senior pitcher Caroline Pellicano went out to pitch the bottom of the seventh and picked up the save with two strikeouts and a pop-out.

Gallant recorded the win for the Wildcats, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits over 5.1 innings of work.

Villanova will be back in action at the Duke Invitational in Durham, NC starting this Friday, Feb 23. “[Durham] is going to be a good one for us playing two [of the] top 25 teams,” Orchard said.

“Boston University and Duke are now both in the top 25. So as far as a growing experience that’s great. Any of these games we get in now are getting us ready for our conference play is kind of what our mindset is.”

Baseball Starts Season 0–3 Against Incarnate Word Wildcats.

Game three continued a trend seen throughout the whole series. The offense started off hot, but the pitching and defense Villanova played its opencaused a collapse. ing series this past weekend as the Both teams started off with Wildcats traveled to San Antonio, four runs in the first inning, TX to take on University of the followed by the Cardinals scoring Incarnate Word. Villanova fell in the eighth to seal the game. The short in all three games.

Wildcats dropped another, 9–6.

Opening Day took place on Jack O’Reilly was a force Friday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. The first once again for the ‘Cats, going inning set the tone of the game, 1-for-3, with two RBIs and a pair with Incarnate Word hitting a of walks.

O’Reilly hit his first two-run home run to go up, 2-0.

The Wildcats traveled to San Antonio, TX for their season opening series, falling in all three games. home run of the season to get the Villanova answered with Courtesy of Villanova Athletics scoring started in the 1st inning. two runs of its own off a two-RBI The starting pitcher faced The Wildcats couldn’t deliver in Graduate pitcher Zach single by freshman infielder Trent problems for the third straight their last chance at the plate and Camp was the lone bright spot out Toole. The ‘Cats would then take game.

Senior Cade Udell allowed dropped their second game of the a 4-3 lead in the top of the 4th in- of the bullpen, striking out two five runs on five hits in 2.1 innings. season. ning with RBIs by graduate catch- with 0 hits in 1.2 innings.

The bullpen kept the game It was another solid offenIt was a tough loss to start er John Whooley and sophomore close, but it wasn’t enough to sive performance for Villanova, the year, but the Wildcats had two infielder Michael Whooley. gain the victory.

Graduate pitcher which saw Dennis as the most conmore games to go. The nail-biter This was the only lead the Stephen Turzai had a near flawless sistent hitter yet again. He went second game took place on Wildcats would have the rest of relief performance. He allowed no 3-for-5 and scored one run.

Saturday, Feb. 17, and VU lost, the game. The Cardinals scored hits and only one walk, while also The pitching performance five runs in the bottom half of the 7-6. Villanova scored three runs recording two strikeouts in two improved in the second game. fourth and ran away with it, 12-7. in the first inning to get an early innings.

Graduate pitcher Luke McCollugh lead.

Although it wasn’t the It was a bittersweet perforstarted the game, but only lasted opening day they hoped for, it was Graduate outfielders Scott Shaw mance for the Wildcats, scoring 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on and Jack O’Reilly had back-toa strong start hitting the ball for 19 total runs but allowing 28 over four hits and five walks. back RBIs in the first inning. Juthe Wildcats. Toole led the way, the series.

Villanova will look to Villanova pitchers only going 3-for-4, with 2 RBIs and one nior catcher Josue Valdez accountimprove on the weekend’s costly allowed two runs from Incarnate run. Graduate first baseman Dylan ed for the third run. mistakes and bounce back in its Word for the remainder of the After four innings of backDennis had a strong first game, as next matchup. game.

Graduate student Alex and-forth baseball, the Wildcats well, going 2-for-2 with two runs The Wildcats head to DaSachais pitched a scoreless 2.2 and Cardinals were tied, 5–5. and one walk. vidson College on Friday, Feb. 23, innings, keeping the Wildcats comSenior pitcher Devin Rive- Shaw continued his hot day at the for another three-game weekend. petitive.

Unfortunately, graduate ra was given the start and received plate by hitting a solo home run to They will search for their first student Ryan Mintz was given the even the score. He went 2-5 with his first loss. He pitched 3.0 invictory of the season, and sweeploss after he allowed his only run two runs and two RBIs. nings and allowed seven runs on ing the series would bring their in the bottom of the eighth, which Incarnate Word took a seven hits, a disappointing start for record back to .500. one-run lead going into the ninth. ultimately lost the game for the one of Villanova’s top arms.

James Haupt Staff Writer

The Villanovan | 16

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Wednesday, February 21, 2024

WBB Preview: Providence and No. 20 Creighton

that the ‘Cats will be playing with- ue to circle around junior guard out starting junior guard Zanai Lucy Olsen, who recently earned Jones due to an upper body injury. a place on the Big East Weekly Jones is a key member of the VilHonor Roll for the ninth time this The Wildcats started the lanova squad, recently recording season. Olsen averaged 27 points month of February with a three10 points and a career-high eight last week in Villanova’s games game winning streak, working rebounds against Seton Hall on against Georgetown and Butler. their way up to third place in the Feb. 3.

Providence currently stands Big East.

“We don’t know [when in seventh place in the Big East However, a narrow, 55–52 Jones will return] at this point,” after defeating Xavier, 66–42, on upset by Butler on Feb. 17 showed Dillon said postgame on Saturday. Feb. 18. that the last three weeks of the Junior guard Kaitlyn In their last meeting with season before the Big East Tourna- Orihel stepped up to replace Jones the Wildcats on Jan. 24, the Friars ment have the potential to be both in the starting five. emerged on top, 82–76. Provichallenging and unpredictable.

Defense was the strong dence is a determined team with “It was a tough one to point of Villanova’s latest game. high endurance, returning from give up, especially at home,” head Junior forward Christina Dalce a 15-point halftime deficit to take coach Denise Dillon said. tied her career-high seven blocks the lead over Villanova in overA pair of contests will against Butler, while also recordtime. precede Villanova’s anticipated ing seven defensive rebounds.

Senior guard Grace Efosa rematch against No. 15 UConn, The Wildcats held the Bulldogs to and junior forward Marta Morales the Big East’s undefeated foe, on under 40-percent shooting across Romero helped the Friars in their Feb. 28. the game. comeback victory over the ‘Cats, Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the The offense will contineach scoring more than 20 points Finn at 7 p.m., Villanova seeks to regain its footing against Providence (12–15 overall, 6–8).

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Villanova will next travel to Omaha, NE for a road game against No. 20 Creighton (21–4 overall, 12–3).

The game will be broadcasted on FOX at 11 a.m.

While efficient shooting across the starting lineup helped Villanova in a sizable, 62–47 win over Georgetown on Feb. 13, offense was a struggle against Butler.

The Wildcats recorded an uncharacteristic 36-percent shooting on Saturday night’s loss.

Junior forward Christina Dalce recorded a career-high-tying seven blocks against Butler on Feb 17.

An unexpected setback is Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography Katie Lewis Co-Sports Editor

in the game.

Beyond the score, Xavier was a significant win for Providence. The Friars are coming off a season-high 52 rebounds and another season-high nine blocks in their last game.

The Friars see the Wildcats on the other side of the court more than any team in women’s basketball program history, playing 84 previous times. Villanova owns the all-time series record of 55–29, winning eight of their last ten meetings.

No. 20 Creighton presently occupies the runner-up position below UConn in Big East rankings.

Nevertheless, the Bluejays remain no match for the Huskies, falling, 73–53, in their last game on Monday, Feb. 19. They were limited to just 31 percent shooting.

Creighton’s star is senior guard/forward Morgan Maly, an especially familiar face for Olsen and Dalce. Maly was the third member of their U21 3×3 Nations League team over the summer. The trio went 6–0, claiming Team USA’s first-ever title in the international tournament.

In the 2023–2024 season, Maly is averaging 14.6 points per game.

In the teams’ last faceoff on Jan. 23, Villanova lost to Creighton, 63–49. While the Wildcats never saw a lead in the game, Olsen headed the offense with 29 points.

Junior forward Christina Dalce scored seven points against Butler on Feb 17.

Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography

Junior guard Kaitlyn Orihel joined the starting five, replacing injured junior guard Zanai Jones.

Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography

Junior guard Lucy Olsen earned a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll, averaging 27 points last week.

Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

SPORTS

The Villanovan | 17

MBB Preview: UConn and Creighton Owen Hewitt Co-Sports Editor There is no doubt that the final five games of Villanova’s season will be the most important the team will play all year.

The Wildcats (14-11 overall, 7-7 Big East) will face two top-25 opponents in No. 1 UConn (24-2, 14-1) and No. 15 Creighton (19-7, 10-5). Villanova will also see two teams on the NCAA tournament bubble with it, in Providence (17-9, 8-7) and Seton Hall (17-5, 10-5).

Throw in a lowly Georgetown (8-17, 1-13) squad and a game or two in the Big East tournament, and Villanova may have enough runway to pull up into the NCAA tournament field.

The ‘Cats can’t wait any longer to lift off. To avoid missing the NCAA tournament field in consecutive seasons since 200203 and 2003-04, they will need to string together wins over the last 15 days of the season.

The challenge starts with a trip to Storrs, Connecticut to face reigning National Champion UConn on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.

The ‘Cats will then host Georgetown on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Finneran Pavilion at 6:30 p.m.

The Huskies are on a 14game win streak and have lost two games all season. Both of their

losses have come on the road. One loss came in December to thenNo. 5 Kansas (20-6, 8-5 Big XII), while the other occurred at the start of conference play at Seton Hall.

The Huskies have five players averaging double-figures.

Graduate guard Cam Spencer leads the team with 15.2 points per game. He’s followed by graduate guard Tristen Newton, who posts 15 per game. Newton is also averaging 6.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

Only Villanova and St. John’s (14-12, 6-9) have come within five points of beating the Huskies during their 14-game win streak.

In their last meeting, Villanova fell one point short of the Huskies at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 20, 66-65.

If the Wildcats want a chance to pull the upset in Storrs, they need to get off to a quick start.

They will also need to limit the shooting efficiency of Spencer. In the Huskies’ win in South Philly, Spencer shot 27% from the field, including 1-for-6 from beyond the arc.

A win against the No. 1 team in the nation on the road would do a lot for the ‘Cats NCAA tournament case, but the game against Georgetown is arguably more important to win.

The Wildcats will be heavy underdogs in Storrs, but will be

heavy favorites back home against the Hoyas.

Losing the game to Georgetown would be a home loss to a team that does not crack the top-200 of NET ranking. It would be the worst loss of the season, and would take away any hope of making the NCAA tournament field.

The Hoyas are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak. They are led by sophomore guard Jaden Epps, who posts 17.2 points per

game.

The ‘Cats handled the season’s first game against Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The ‘Cats won by 16, 70-54, behind an even scoring attack led by senior guard TJ Bamba. Bamba had 14 points in the win.

The game on Saturday against UConn is set to tip at 8 p.m. on Fox. Tuesday’s game against Georgetown is set to tip at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on Fox Sports 1.

In their last meeting on Jan. 20, Villanova fell to UConn 66–65 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Swim & Dive Prepares for Big East Championships Ali Benjamin Staff Writer The men’s and women’s swim and dive teams will travel west next week to compete in the Big East Championships meet at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis, IN. The meet will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 28, and events will continue until Saturday, March 2.

Villanova is one of seven teams that will be competing for the conference championship title, alongside athletes from Butler, Xavier, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Providence and UConn.

Facing challenging non-conference opponents has strengthened the Wildcats ahead of the Big East Championships.

Both the men and women’s teams fell to Penn State on Feb. 2 in their last dual meets of the regular season.

Both the men’s and women’s teams have been training throughout the last several weeks of practice in order to prepare for the intense competition that lies ahead.

“We had three days in a row that we were really excited and impressed with where the whole squad was,” head coach Rick Simpson said. “I thought at the end of [Saturday’s] practice we were all very, very excited about where we are and kind of turning that corner towards the big meet next week.”

The 2023–2024 regular season was a successful one for the ‘Cats, as they are entering championship weekend undefeated in the Big East and holding an overall record of 5-4-1.

“The success you have all year kind of sets the tone,” Simpson said. “This year, I think we were much better in-season, so it makes life a little bit easier in terms of confidence. It definitely plays a role in having a more positive mindset going into the meet.”

Another exciting aspect of the meet is the Natatorium location on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus.

“It helps the mindset when

you walk into such a great place like, ‘Hey, this is the big deal. This is why we’re here,’” Simpson said. “[The team is] really fortunate that the Big East has made that investment to put [its] championship in by far the greatest permanent facility in the United States.”

As 10-time returning champions, the women have high hopes of leaving Indianapolis with an 11th straight win.

“The Big East has become such a tight team battle,” Simpson said. “Looking ahead to next week to say that Villanova is guaranteed is not the case at all. You’ve gotta walk in there, and you’ve gotta earn it from day one.”

Although each event is individual or with a smaller cohort in a relay, a win at an event of this caliber will be dependent on the contribution of and commitment from each swimmer.

Performances across the Villanova roster have been fairly consistent throughout the season.

“The bottom third of the times and the point-scoring lists are probably better than what we have seen from the bottom third in a number of years,” Simpson said.

“This is a year where you look down our roster of eighteen men and eighteen women, and any of those people could pull something off. It could be anybody, which is exciting.”

The women’s swim & dive team looks to secure its 11th straight Big East Championship in Indianapolis next week.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

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ASK THE VILLANOVAN My marriage pact is really cute, but I’m scared to shoot my shot. What do I do?

Coming from someone who has been dating my marriage pact for nine months, you should definitley shoot your shot.

For me it worked out better than expected, but there’s no harm in reaching out to someone who you are statistically compatible with.

And hey, if the meet-up isn’t great, just take your Cova bowl and run for the hills. It’ll be a funny story for later.

I’m a freshman and my roommate wants to live with me again, but I don’t want to.

Help!

Now this is a sign that you are overdue for a conversation.

There’s nothing wrong with not wanting to room again, but if you guys aren’t on the same page about it, you have to be open with them.

Tell them how you feel, explain why you don’t think it would work out again, and remember that when it comes to housing you have to put yourself first.

I’m drowning in school work and nervous for midterms coming up. How do I get it all done?

First of all, you are not alone. We have all ben there, and we feel for you; but, keep in mind that spring break is right around the corner!

Take it one class and one assingment at a time. Maybe that means going to bed a bit later, waking up a bit earlier, or spending less time with friends, but you can certiantly get it all done.

And don’t forget to take time for yourself too. As important as your grades are, you are most importnat.

I really want to get involved more, but everyone seems to have found their thing already and it’s all so competitive, what do I do?

It’s never too late to get involved!

Sure, people may have joined clubs or found their niche, but that doesn’t mean you can’t as well.

Sign-up, show-up, and if you’re nervous to go alone, have a friend tag along.

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DINING SERVICES

Villanova Dining Services

Thursday, February 22, 2024

recipes from “Soul: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 recipes”

By Todd Richards

Menu Blueberry Sweet Tea Roasted Chicken Smothered Potatoes Golden Beet Hash Red Beans with Sausage & Shrimp

In celebration of Black History Month, Donahue, Dougherty, & St. Mary’s will feature recipes from renowned Black chefs across the country on Thursdays during dinner!