The Villanovan | Volume 115, Issue 9: April 19, 2023

Neptune Gives Postseason Update

Colin Beazley Co-Editor-in Chief

Villanova’s men’s basketball season ended with a first-round NIT loss on a Tuesday night in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Villanova’s offseason? Kyle Neptune is still waiting for it.

Neptune and his staff have been constantly working ever since the season ended. In the current age of college basketball, coaches must simultaneously look for talent in the transfer portal, while doing all they can to keep their own players — a never-ending multi-tasking of recruiting and re-recruiting. Villanova looked to solve this problem by hiring former assistant Baker Dunleavy as its General Manager of Basketball, where he will help both the men’s and women’s programs with the portal, NIL, fundraising and more.

Because of this difficult schedule, Neptune says that he has not had time to reflect on his first season as head coach. However, he has thought about how his team performed, looking back on missed opportunities but acknowledging the challenges of the season.

“Our goal is always to be the best team we can be by the end [of the season],” Neptune said, “And I thought that we were trending towards that way.”

The Wildcats finished, 17-17, the team’s worst record since 2011-2012. They showed an inability for much of the year to win close games, and struggled with injuries throughout the year, most notably to senior guard Justin Moore and freshman forward Cam Whitmore.

At one point, the Wildcats had a 5-12 record in games decided by 10 points or fewer. Once Moore returned, Villanova won six of

Student Government Association Announces Election Results

Campus Cat Survives Health Scare p. 9

The Villanova Student Government Association is an on-campus organization geared towards promoting student leadership and involvement on campus, as students’ peers elect them to fulfi ll the duties assigned to them throughout the year. On March 31st, the election winners for the 2023-2024 school year were announced.

The candidates who ran for the 2023-2024 student body president and vice president were Lauren Amoo and Tiane Parris,

Thomas Dessoye and Dean Millard and Billy Minnig and Gia Karavangelas. This year’s President and Vice President of the Student Government Association are junior Dessoye and sophomore Millard. Dessoye and Millard have both been members of the Student Government Association throughout each of their times here at Villanova. During Dessoye’s time on SGA, he has served as the student body vice president for the 2022-23 school year, where he helped increase student wages to $10 per hour. He has advocated for and successfully passed the

Students with Disabilities Resolution, which calls for a more accessible campus for those with disabilities, and has helped to write and pass the Divestment from Fossil Fuels Resolution, calling for the university to divest in fossil fuel companies. With similar pursuits, Millard has served as Class of 2025 Senator, where he has advocated for more water bottle fi lling stations on campus, assisted in passing the Transparency Act which calls for more transparency between the student government and their fellow Villanova peers and fought to bring comeback sauces

to PIT, Belle Air Terrace and Cafe Nova.

Outside of these accomplishments, Dessoye and Millard are looking forward to further serving the University and their peers this upcoming academic school year.

“To be elected by the student body at Villanova is truly an honor and a privilege,” Dessoye and Millard said in a statement. “We are excited to try to push for projects and initiatives that will enhance the well being of all students regardless of their background, year, and identity. Some of these objectives include raising the student employee mini

Continued on p. 2

VSMT: Sunday in the Park with George

Sarah Hecht Staff Writer

On Thursday, April 13th, Villanova’s Graduate Theater Program celebrated the opening night of Sunday on the Park with George in the Topper Theatre of The John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts. This is the graduate program’s second main stage musical in the new Mullen Center.

With lyrics and music from Stephen Sondheim and

Feature: Spit Dining Hall “Grandma” Virginia Esquerra p. 4

Women’s Lax Tops Georgetown For First Time in 29 Years p. 10

book

years in which he worked on what later became the masterpiece, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.”

Directed by Valerie

Joyce, the show begins with a blank canvas but soon, through the seamless work of set, costumes, props, cast and crew, the Topper Theatre was transformed into a vibrant piece of living art. The painting itself now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago, where the second act occurs, and is also famously featured in John Hughes’ film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (1986).

In “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” the character Cameron Frye has an iconic staring

Continued on p. 7

SENIOR COLUMN: A Senior’s Train Ride Home p. 5

Men’s Lacrosse Improves to 9-1 p. 11

Lauren Armstrong Staff Writer

Thomas Dessoye and Dean Millard, the new SGA President and Vice President. Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography.

VSMT performed “Sunday in the Park With George” in the Mullen Center. Courtesy of Paola Nogueras.

by James Lapine, the musical Sunday in the Park with George is a semi-fictionalized examination of French painter George Seurat during the three

Disorderly Conduct

April 13, GOOD COUNSEL

A fire extinguisher was deployed inside of a residence hall without a legitimate purpose.

Aggravated Assault/Harassment/Simple Assault

April 13, MONASTERY

The following individual was arrested for Simple Assault and Harassment: Kevin Bryheem Autwin Cropper / 1317 N Marston Street, Philadelphia PA 19121 / Age: 33

Theft of Property Lost

April 10 - April 14, MAIN CAMPUS

A male resident student reported the theft of a speaker he mistakenly left outside of his residence hall . The amount of the loss is $300.00.

CORRECTIONS

SGA Election Results

mum wage to $12 per hour, implementing an excused absence policy for mental health, and advocating for a more sustainable university.”

Their peers are equally as excited to see what Dessoye and Millard will be able to accomplish on campus this upcoming school year.

“As a freshman, I was excited to come to Villanova, and learn everything about campus,” freshman Betty Dorsey said. “I am thrilled to see passionate student leaders who are thrilled to be elected and make a difference here at ‘Nova. I’m eager to see how they do in this position, and I am sure that they will do a great job.”

Villanova students also elected peers into the senatorial seats to help Dessoye and Millard accomplish the goals set upon the 2023-24 academic year.

The Class of 2024 Senator is Preston Munoz. The Class of 2025 Senators are Kentron “Tron” White, Tyler Moore and Brian Messalti. The Class of 2026 Senators are Gigi Giuliano, Vasu Raval and Majo James. The Villanova School of Business Senator is Aleko Zeppos, the Arts Senators are Gavin Crozier and Isabelle Furguson, the Engineering Senator is Andrew Kline and the Nursing Senator is Alanna Wilderotter. Each of these students is eager to assist in making Villanova a more inclusive, accessible and positive University.

“I am really excited to see what this year’s president, vice president, and senators accomplish on campus,” freshman Kara McGoldrick said. “This is an amazing group of individuals who are all grouped together under the common goal of helping Villanova grow to the best of its abilities, and I am eager to see the changes and adjustments they make on campus this upcoming academic year.”

The Villanova Student

Government Association is excited to have these individuals as its main student leaders this upcoming academic year, yet SGA is for anyone to become involved in. There are a multitude of ways to become involved in the executive, legislative and judicial branches, and SGA urges students to do so if there are ideas that they have to better Villanova.

Liquor Underage/ Public Drunkenness

April 15, SHEEHAN HALL

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and transported to the hospital.

Public Urination/Simple Trespasser

April 15, DOBBIN HALL

Three former students were found inside of residence hall without authorization. One of the former students was observed urinating in public outside of the building

Public Drunkenness

April 15, MAIN CAMPUS

A non resident student, over the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Disorderly Conduct/Criminal Mischief

April 15, STANFORD HALL

Five unidentified males were observed making unreasonable noise and fleeing the area where damage to university property was discovered.

Liquor Underage/Public Drunkenness

April 16, KATHARINE HALL

A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS and transported to the hospital for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage

April 17, SHEEHAN HALL

A male resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication and transported to the hospital for treatment.

Please send an e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com to report errors.

Sports Conference

Victoria Newsome Staff Writer

Last Thursday and Friday, students, the Villanova Sports Analytics Club collaborated with the VU Business in Entertainment Society to present the first-ever Sports Business Conference on campus.

The two-day event featured impressive panels and keynote speakers from the MLB, NBA, NHL, WWE, NIKE, Overtime Sports, the Jordan Brand, NFL teams (AZ Cardinals, GB Packers, NY Jets, LA Rams), Villanova Basketball and more. The first day was held at the Finneran Pavilion and attendees sere shuttled to the Villanova Inn on the second day.

Last year, the Sports Analytics Club hosted the event on Zoom. This year, it was able to bring the event to life at the Finneran Pavilion with small gift bags, great food, a raffle-giveaway and an opening speech from former Villanova men’s basketball coach and HOF, Jay Wright.

Wright advised attendees to focus on the now and do the best that they can in their current roles. In other words, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s important to embrace the small steps towards establishing a career in sports. The competitive world of sports requires resilience, patience and humility.

Interactive roundtables and more discussion followed as attendees were able to pick a track of either Sports Analytics/Operations or Sports Media, Sales and Marketing. The Sports Analytics Club executive board worked diligently since December of 2022 to contact guest speakers from a diverse range of professions, as well as organize the event on campus.

President of Sports Analytics Club, junior Nick Sofianakos, shared his goals while helping to plan the event with Chief Operating Officer, sophomore Will Buettner. By working with Michelle Galloway, senior Sara Barshap and the members of VU Business Entertainment Society, they want -

ed to get Villanova on the map for sports business opportunities.

“Nine of our 10 panelists went to Villanova for their Undergrad or MBA, and given their background, they helped Villanovans out,” Sofianakos said. “That is the Villanova way. The goal was to make it more interactive and beneficial for the attendees too. Will and I bettered our own individual processes of making sure an event happens of this magnitude. This has been [a] great leadership experience for me and taught me how to connect with people as we helped people not only from Villanova, but outside Villanova, as well.”

Sofianakos, Buettner and the club Executive board, focused on how they could give back to the Villanova community through their love of sports. Buettner has worked for the Milwaukee Brewers for the past three seasons and didn’t realize that he had a leg up in the industry from a younger age. He wanted to use the experience he gained at the Brewers and share his knowledge and sorts opportunities with the University community.

“This is about giving back, from the club’s perspective and on a personal note,” Buettner said. “Yes, it’s been great to have the experiences I’ve had like working the MLB Playoffs. But that’s not what matters to me, what matters is seeing people get to make these connections. Looking out in the crowd right now, I’m watching people smile and have a great time like this is what they dreamed about. They dream about working in sports and they’re able to do this today. It makes me warm inside my heart that people get to have this experience.”

Sofianakos and Buettner plan on receiving feedback and running the paneling and networking event again next year on campus. The mission of the Sports Business Conference was clear: giving students who have always wished to work in sports the opportunity to establish a foundational network that puts them on their personalized path to success.

Continued from p.1

In the March 29 edition of The Villanovan, an article was published titled, “Villanova’s SAMOSA Celebrates Holi.” VISO also hosted the Holi event, and the article has been updated online to reflect this.

Lepage Center Webinar: Cities and Climate Change

Zoe Garrett Staff Writer

What role does the construction of cities play in global warming? How will urbanization provide threats or solutions to the climate crisis? Who will be affected, and when will these dreaded consequences occur?

The panelists of the Albert LePage Center’s most recent webinar, entitled “Climate Change in Historical Perspective: Climate Change and Cities,” addressed questions such as these and more as they explored the complex connection between urbanization and its environmental impacts.

Caroline Murphy, a history professor at Villanova, moderated the event and introduced each of the three esteemed guests.

Karen Seto, a professor of geography and urbanization science at Yale University, spoke first about the trajectory of global warming and noted the significant temperature increase the planet is predicted to reach, a temperature that is well above the 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels that experts originally thought.

Seto explained the detrimental consequences this exponential increase will have, including impacts on coastal settlements,

public health, agriculture processes and water scarcity. Over the next 30 years, Seto stated that 2.5 billion people are predicted to move into urban spaces, both currently present cities and cities that are expected to be constructed, in order to accommodate population growth.

This urbanization, by installing concrete and steel structures, more cars and energy intensive units, could cause global temperatures to rise to a staggering 5.6 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels.

“The numbers are terrifying,” freshman Brynne Taranto said. “It is scary to think about the extreme environmental damage that could and most likely will happen in our lifetime.”

Indeed, the statistics are shocking for any observer. How did this happen? Andrew Needham, a professor of United States history with a specialization in environmental history at Brown University, addressed the national infrastructure that has contributed to the irrevocable environmental change that has occurred in the post-World War II era.

He explained that America’s increasing reliance on natural gas as an energy source is a dependency powered by the national pipelines called the “Big Inch” and the “Little Inch.” The increase in

fossil fuels to meet demands led to more carbon emissions, therefore accelerating pollution of the world’s environment. Needham regarded the graph that represented national carbon emission as a “hockey stick,” as it was steady before the 1940s, then a rapid, exponential increase occurred through the rest of the century and into the next.

Urban environments, boasting large populations and therefore high levels of demand, fueled this jarring increase, attributing cities’ negative effects on the climate crisis. However, Needham also recognizes the potential ways in which urbanization will provide keys to sustainability. Through a denser population, a certain number of sustainable practices will be facilitated, from sharing walls in shared living facilities to an increase in walking to destinations and public transportation.

“I thought it was really interesting to view cities as both the problem to and a potential solution for climate change,” freshman Katherine Carney said. “Rural living is often acknowledged as the way to live most environmentally, but I wonder if sustainable urbanization could provide an effective alternative to that increasingly unpopular lifestyle.”

The webinar’s final speaker, Fiona Clare Williamson of

Singapore Management University, wrapped up the discussion with a focused look at the connection between human settlement and the environment within Singapore between 1877 and 1911. Taking a more specific approach, she expanded on the themes presented by Seto and Needham, and tailored those themes to her consideration of Singapore at the turn of the 20th century.

She examined the drought that occurred in this country and the spread of disease, water shortage and economic effects that this phenomenon had on particularly urban areas. One point she made that particularly resonates with today’s polarizing climate was that the drought also exacerbated social tensions within the cities. This tension manifested within the rioting, both peaceful and violent, that occurred because of the drought, and the human costs that those riots inflicted.

The webinar provided a comprehensive understanding of the unique and multifaceted relationship between urbanization and climate change. While many of the statistics and ideas shared were daunting, they contributed to a larger picture of the situation at hand, a crucial connection to understand as we move into an increasingly warming and populating world.

University Hosts Annual Admitted Students Day

Arden West Co-News Editor

This past Saturday, April 15th, Villanova University hosted Admitted Students Day for the 2027 admitted class, and at the forefront of the event was Blue Key. Villanova’s Blue Key is an organization on campus that works to create a positive admissions experience for prospective students and their families that accurately represents the core values of Villanova University: Veritas, Unitas and Caritas. Members interacted with prospective families and provided them with an everyday representation of Villanova, while continuing to reflect the University in all aspects.

Welcoming all of the newest accepted students, members of Blue Key were energized early, and their excitement was reflected onto the new students who came through the Spirit Line, beginning at 7:45 a.m.

Freshman Marissa Schrade recounted her first experience at Admitted Students Day being on the other side of the experience.

“Being a part of Blue Key is a full circle moment to show prospective students what makes Villanova so special,” she said.

“Admitted Students Day has to be one of my favorite days of the year and being able to show students interested in Villanova all that we have to offer and have them see for themselves the love everyone has for the school is an experience like no other.”

Schrade explained how her schedule began at 5:30 a.m.

working on the balloons crew until she rejoined the greater Blue Key group around 6:30 a.m. for checkin and a breakfast together. For the rest of the morning, everyone had the same schedule and got to welcome students as they arrived on campus.

“It was so exciting to spend time with the students throughout the day and to see how excited they were to meet everyone, especially coming through the Spirit Line in the morning,” Blue Key member Mia Setrakian said. “It was so fulfilling to show everyone why I chose ‘Nova and why I am so happy with my own decision.”

Midway through the day, Blue Key transitioned into what they are best known for: tours. While hundreds of people ex -

plored campus following members of Blue Key, other students were attending academic presentations or exploring the involvement fair.

At the Involvement Fair, admitted students walked around Cafe Nova and interacted with current Villanovans. They had the opportunity to see what students are passionate about and dedicate their time to, and were able to consider what activities they can picture themselves in next fall.

Blue Key coordinated a chaotic schedule filled with simultaneous events such as booths, information desks, tours and specific events like first year frenzy and campus compass.

To make all of this possible, Blue Key worked tirelessly to organize the event.

“Admitted Students Day is one of the biggest events that we have all year at Villanova,” sophomore Madison McGuire said. “It doubles the population on campus with parents and students and results in an extra [4,000-5,000] people on campus. The day is full of fun activities and festivities that we really have to work together to organize, which is what everyone in Blue Key does to make the day run as smoothly as possible.

“Blue Key is the heart and soul of admitted students day. Every year I am amazed at how seamlessly the whole day goes and how hard the organization works to make it all run so smoothly. I was so excited that my second year participating was even better than the first.”

Parents and proespective students welcomed on Admitted Students Day. Olivia Gordon / Villanovan Photography.

Feature: Spit Dining Hall “Grandma” Virginia Esquerra

Hannah Sweeney Co-News Editor

Virginia Esguerra is among the many hardworking staff members in Villanova’s Dining Services. Yet, her sociable and enthusiastic personality has quickly made her one of the most well-known and well-liked faculty members on campus.

Just last year, at age 76, Esguerra came out of retirement to work at Villanova’s Donahue Court and Donahue Market. Within just a few months of her working at Villanova, groups of students began stopping by to greet her at work almost every night.

Villanova sophomore and dining hall employee Kristina Cooper witnessed these interactions first-hand.

“As a cashier at Donohue Court, I have the pleasure of witnessing Virginia’s positive impact on the student body,” Cooper said. “As the students come in for dinner, when they see Virginia, they immediately light up and she greets them with warmth and positivity. It’s very clear to see that she makes each student at Villanova feel very special.”

Student Isabella Balian also commented, adding that her trips to the dining hall were always made better by Esguerra’s warm welcome.

“Virginia is one of the most kindhearted and special people I have met at Villanova,” Balian said. “As a freshman, I would go to

the market every so often to get ice cream and Virgina would meet me with the sweetest smile and compliments. She deserves the world and her enthusiasm and joy lights up the entirety of Spit.”

Cooper’s and Balian’s responses when asked about Esguerra were just a few of many positive comments. Yet, Esguerra feels just as positively about the students as they feel about her.

“I came back to work because I love working with students,” Esguerra said, when asked about her decision to come out of retirement to work at Villanova. “They are giving me a long life. Serving them keeps me happy and healthy.”

However, Esguerra’s love for helping students began long before Villanova. In the Philippines, where Esguerra is from, she taught high school and college calculus.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that Esguerra moved to the United States and settled down in Philadelphia. There, she attended Drexel University and, in 1988, graduated with a master’s degree in business administration. Esguerra then found a job in New York City as a quality control manager for manufacturing in the fashion industry. She worked this job for 30 years, until temporarily retiring. Now, at Villanova, she has found a place where she can use her experi-

ence to work with students again.

“Sometimes students come in and ask me to read over their essays,” Esguerra said. “Other times they come in and ask what medicine they should buy when they are sick. Helping students is why I come to work every day, rain or shine.”

Before Spring Break, several students even expressed their appreciation for her by greeting her at her car with flowers and chocolates.

“It gave me goosebumps,” Esguerra said. “I almost started to cry.”

In addition to caring for all the students at Villanova, Esguerra has two kids of her own and seven grandchildren, whom she talks about to all her students. One of her grandchildren is even following in her footsteps and attending Drexel University this year.

“She is always so proud of her grandchildren, who are doing well in school and advancing in their career,” Balian said.

Esguerra’s love for family is what makes her connection with Villanova students so special.

“Virginia is like my grandma away from home,” Balian said. Student Kiely Fleming echoed this point.

“She cares for all of us so much, especially freshmen, which is really comforting since we are all away from home for the first time,” Fleming said. “It means so much.”

“Villanova University is the extension of my family,” Esguerra said.

VU Chapter of Philly Justice Project Attends Conference

Isabella Balian Staff Writer

Villanova’s Philadelphia Justice Project Attends the Annual Innocence Network Conference

Last weekend, Villanova’s chapter of the Philadelphia Justice Project (PJP) attended the Innocence Network’s 20th annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Fifteen students from the chapter left Villanova for the conference on Thursday morning and returned on Sunday morning. These students were led by chapter president Ajée Robinson and organization founder Dr. Jill McCorkel.

The Innocence Network serves as an informal coalition of independent innocence organizations dedicated to combating wrongful convictions worldwide and reforming the criminal legal system.

This annual conference worked to unite directly impacted people, advocates and others who work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions and provide post-release support.

The mission of the weekend was to promote learning through educational programming, relationship-building, collective action and healing. Attendees worked to celebrate victories, strategize around challenges and recommit to fighting for a more just future.

An array of speakers presented on assorted topics of importance speaking from their own experiences working with the prison incarceration system. Executive Board President of the Innocence Network, Tricia Rojo Bushnell, and an Ari-

zona Justice Project board member delivered an opening plenary address Friday morning discussing the mission of reflection, restoration and celebration. One of the board members of the Innocence Network emphasized their goal of transforming and dismantling wrongful convictions by staying truthful to the movement.

Conference attendees were given the opportunity to attend different breakout rooms that focused on niche areas of topics. Some breakout room topics included “Federal Habeas Corpus Litigation Workshop,” “LGBTQ Implications in Wrongful Conviction,” “Consideration in the Legal Representation of Indigenous People” and “Secondary Trauma and the Innocence Network.”

One breakout room was entitled “Community Organizing, Advocacy and Reentry.” During this presentation, selected panelists discussed stereotypes and stigmas that impact those affected by incarceration that correlate to difficulties in housing, employment, healthcare and even personal relationships.

“We are grateful to have been released from prison; however, we have not made it home yet until we can start the healing process,” one presenter said.

During the presentation, selected panelists emphasized the role of advocacy for criminal legal reform, community organizing and peer support services in the healing journey.

“The panelists brought up relevant points about organizing community to create a sense of shared accountability for change,”

PJP senior Christina Folan said. “It inspired me to become more involved in the communities that I find myself in, such as Villanova, and promote more reform and advocacy for incarcerated and free people.”

On Saturday night, students attended the closing plenary, where exonerees shared stories of takeaways and experiences from their lives.

After returning from the conference, Villanova students reflected on their takeaways.

“The biggest takeaway from this experience was the vast amount of tenacity that so many exonerees and their families hold and their ability to take their experiences and create a space for other people to learn about the injustices of the government and the systems at play

against them,” PJP senior Marika Yang said. “The exonerees and their families represent so much bravery that I will never forget.”

“My biggest takeaway from the conference were the many different forms that injustice in our criminal system can take, from police coercion and brutality to medical examiners citing a wrong cause of death and lack of social resources for exonerees and the newly freed,” PJP sophomore Angelica Ciofalo said. “Simple reform is not the answer. There needs to be a full revamping of our current system, and advocates, lawyers, and exonerees must all be a part of the discussion in this essential undertaking.”

**Conference presenter names have been omitted due to respect and privacy reasons**

Students gather around employee Virginia Esguerra for a photo. Courtesy of Kiely Fleming.

The Innocence Network logo. Courtesy of The Innocence Network / Facebook

Satire: 76ers’ Mac McClung Should be NBA MVP

Carter Smith Staff Writer

With the beginning of the NBA playoffs, the question of “who is the best player in the league?” looms in the minds of sports commentators, analysts and fans.

Many believe the answer to this question lies in the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award, a race which this year is currently neck-and-neck between Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Outside of MVP contention, players from the seasoned veterans of LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo to the relative newcomers of Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant and Villanova’s own Jalen Brunson could have a claim on the podium of “best in the league.”

However, all of these answers are wrong. None of these players is the best fit to be crowned the reigning king of the court. The underrated gladiator I have in mind could dunk on LeBron. He could box out Kobe. He could even steal the ball from Michael Jordan. This player led the Delaware Bluecoats (the Sixers’ G-League team) to the 2023 NBA G-League Championship and won the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with an almost perfect average score.

The best player currently in the NBA is the 24-year-old, 6’ 2” shooting guard out of Texas Tech on a two-way contract for the Sixers and the Bluecoats: Mac McClung. Now, let me explain.

First of all, McClung spent the first two seasons of his college career at Georgetown University, the best college basketball program in not only the Big East but the nation as a whole. Spending two seasons under a coach as successful as Patrick Ewing gave him the tools he needed for a wildly successful NBA career.

As we all know, one’s skill and value as a professional basketball player is mostly dependent on how many teams one has played on, and McClung has played on four teams so far.

McClung remained undrafted after the 2021 NBA Draft, and after a brief stint on the Lakers’ summer league team, he signed with the Lakers’ G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

In January of 2022, he signed with the Chicago Bulls, drifting between the main roster and its G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. At the end of the month, he signed a two-way contract with the LA and South Bay Lakers.

After spending a microsecond with the Golden State Warriors in the preseason, he joined the Bluecoats at the beginning of the 2022-23 season, eventually signing a two-way contract with

the 76ers and accepted an invitation to, and then won, the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

On April 7th, McClung and his comrade Jaden Springer led the Bluecoats to the G-League championship. McClung scored a career-high 35 points in game one of the finals.

As McClung’s career exemplifies, a player’s likelihood of winning a championship increases dramatically with each additional team they play on.

McClung having played on four teams clearly makes him much more likely to win a “chip” than players like Steph Curry or Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have only played for a measly one team each.

McClung’s limited appearances in the NBA have also demonstrated his MVP-caliber skill.

In the Sixers’ regular season finale on April 9th, he dropped 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in his fourth ever NBA regular season game. He nearly dropped his first triple-double in his first ten games. How many players have ever accomplished such a spectacular feat?

And just to circle back, McClung’s stellar performance in the Slam Dunk Contest during AllStar Weekend does not get enough recognition. He did not just win the dunk contest. He won with a near-perfect score. He scored a perfect 50 on three of four of his

dunks, with a 49 from one judge, knocking down the score of his second dunk to 49.8. His dunks left onlookers speechless.

“Mac McClung has saved the dunk contest,” judge and former player Karl Malone said. Dunk contest attendees saw greatness that night. Could the dregs of the league like Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum or Nikola Jokić get a near perfect score in the dunk contest?

I do not think so.

And who else won a dunk contest early in their career and is considered the greatest basketball player of all time? Michael Jordan. It seems like McClung is following in the footsteps of greatness. A coronation as the new GOAT seems imminent.

The rightful recipient of the MVP award and title as greatest player in the league seems obvious. The combination of Georgetown Hoya, G-League Million Miler and Dunk Contest Champion that exists in Mac McClung is just impossible to beat. Why stop at the MVP award?

Give him the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards, too. He should get his own shoe line with Nike. It should be the McClung Brand, not the Jordan Brand. He is going to play 25 seasons. He is going to take the career points record from LeBron. Mac McClung is going to become the greatest professional player of all time. Just wait.

SENIOR COLUMN: A Senior’s Train Ride Home

Elena Rouse 2021-22 Culture Editor

About two weeks ago, I sat in a train’s window seat on one of my final treks from Villanova to my home in Massachusetts.

For those of you who don’t know, that ride is about five and half hours. I usually drive, but I opted for the train and let my sister, a Villanova junior, have the car for her classes that lasted days after mine, because I’m such a martyr.

The train felt very much like a time capsule, sending me backwards to my underclassmen days when I took it home for school breaks.

Stop after stop, I watched people board and depart. There were late sprinters, a young couple whispering “I love you, goodbye” through tears, preppy Connecticut families and, of course, other college students like me.

How did I know they were college students? They wore their college sweatshirts.

And it got me thinking: I have always had a sweatshirt that defined my belonging. A sports team, dance group, high school and then college. As I sat, I realized that once I graduate, I will no longer have something to don that tells the world, “I made it and

belong here. I’m so proud to be a part of this place that I wear it on my chest for the world to see.”

In a broader sense, up until now, my life’s structure rested on my education. Even time itself has been defined by the next grade, winter, spring and summer breaks. Without these guardrails, the future presents unlimited possibilities.

Unlimited possibilities, as it turns out, can be the cause of insomnia-inducing terror, as much as they can be the cause of hope. Yes, things change, but as a senior in college, it feels as though that means that everything from the smallest details, like a sweatshirt, to the very fabric of time.

Talk about a bleak train ride, am I right?

Yet, there’s nothing I can do. Premature nostalgia is everywhere when you’re a senior.

I can’t walk through the Quad without a dramatic look to my Sullivan window, memory after memory of hang-outs on the grass below like a flip-book in my brain. I can’t help but get a jab in my gut when the sun sets like a painting to the sounds of my roommates laughing about some absurd joke.

That’s what happens when four formative years that alter a person’s heart and soul teases with their imminent end, along with the

last frayed tethers of childhood. Every senior is going through this same whirlwind. The future terrifies and perhaps excites us, but its very existence also reminds us that the bubble of the Villanova-here-and-now, where we’ve learned, grown and loved, won’t last much longer. (Any seniors reading this, you feel me, or am I getting too meta on you?) Endings are never easy. Especially when things seem to just be getting good, and the best, brightest, kindest people you’ve ever met seem to shine even brighter. That’s just life though. Like a train, it moves on, even if you’re not necessarily ready for it. However, as I sat on that train going from one home to another, these thoughts about sweatshirts and the unknown didn’t induce tears (this time, anyway) but made me smile.

That’s because Villanova is what Villanova does, and what it does, is last. It lasts through love.

The truth is, though I graduate soon, I won’t retire my Villanova sweatshirt. I won’t need to, for because I have experienced love on these hallowed grounds, its impact will stay with me. I will always belong to Villanova, and it will always be a part of me.

Before I go, I’d like to thank you, Villanova, you old

sport. Thanks for the church bells, and for an education that didn’t just challenge my mind, but my confidence and work ethic.

Thank you for the newspaper and every Tuesday production. Thank you for that history class freshman year, where an open seat in front of me led to meeting a best friend, and for all the moments after that brought me to the rest of them. Thank you for bringing my older brother, younger sister and me together for one glorious year where we were all Villanovans at the same time.

Thank you, Villanova, for making every long train ride worth it and more.

Lastly, to my fellow Villanova seniors, bear with me. I’m about to unleash my inner theater kid. In the musical Les Misérables, there’s a lyric that reads, “To love another person is to see the face of God…”

I see that truth everywhere in my cherished moments with so many of you.

And the next time the wind picks up and you grab a trusted sweatshirt to keep you warm, I hope you take two seconds (or maybe even just one) to remember what it means to wear Villanova’s name and how some things, in special and unexpected ways, can last forever.

EDITORIAL BOARD LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

COLIN BEAZLEY

VIVI MELKONIAN

MATT RYAN

JACKIE THOMAS

BELLA IRWIN

Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Associate Editor-in-Chief

Opinion Editor

Opinion Editor

Isabella Ledet Staff Writer

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.

The Villys: An Insider Perspective

Did anyone else see the crazy girl walking around in a bright pink Villanova Television t-shirt yelling about the Villys a few days ago? Oh, wait, that was me.

The Villys, Villanova’s annual film festival for student-made content, was held on Friday, April 14th in the Connelly Center Cinema.

It is an event that many students have been looking forward to for months. The Villys is VTV’s biggest event of the entire year, and it is an amazing showcase of the incredible talent at Villanova.

This year, the Villys received 19 submissions, a record number. These submissions featured 10 comedies, seven dramas and two short documentaries.

The Villys also gave out awards for especially outstanding work in various areas of production. Multiple judges, including alumni and professors, gave scores for each film, which then determined the winners.

Senior Ally Weitzman is one of the original creators of the Villys.

“People should submit [to the Villys] because they have the opportunity to see their films on the big screen, win prizes and meet new people,” Weitzman said. “People should come because it’s a fun movie night and you get to watch such great content.”

The Villys are also ACS ap-

proved, so anyone in an ACS class can use the Villys as a way to satisfy the ACS requirement.

Though I am a sophomore, I am currently enrolled in Moderns and made sure to pitch the Villys as an entertaining and fun event throughout the semster. I was very pleased that some of my classmates actually attended the Villys, so I will take this moment to extend my gratitude to them.

This year, the Villys was hosted by Noel Doherty, the creator and host of popular TikTok series like College Cribs and NoelBAskin. Doherty brought his well-known zest and excellent crowd skills to the Cinema on Friday.

When there were some technical difficulties, he was able to keep

the crowd engaged and enthused with his positive attitude and improvisational comedic prowess. Doherty also introduced awards at the end of the event.

Among these awards were Best Comedy, which went to “Stick to the Plan,” a short film about students plotting a heist to change their grades, and Best Drama, which went to “Not Enough Time,” a short film about a boy who investigates a myth to attempt to travel through time.

“Not Enough Time” also won the Standout Villys Filmmaker Award for its overall quality and impressive cinematography.

Dan Mezzalingua was the writer and director of “Not Enough Time.”

“It was a great experience making my film last summer and I’m happy I got to show it to the Villanova community,” Mezzalingua said. “Credit to VTV for making that possible by organizing the Villys. It’s great to be able to see films from Villanova students.”

So, what makes the Villys so special? I think it is the fact that no two films are the same. Every film told a unique story, literally through the lenses of numerous different people. The Villys are about sharing our stories with the student body, stories that we have worked hard to create, perfect and communicate to others.

It is vital to understand and appreciate that these films were just ideas in someone’s mind before they were born into reality and shown on the big screen. Coming to the Villys and supporting this creative process is truly enriching and rewarding.

This year’s Villys was very successful, at least from my perspective. The behind-the-scenes magic of the VTV Internal Department allowed for a fairly seamless event, at which incredible student talent was truly celebrated.

I am so grateful to have contributed three of my own films to this year’s Villys awards, and I look forward to participating in the Villys annually for the rest of my time here at Villanova.

If students missed the Villys this year, they should be sure to look for the Villys again next April, and come support the incredible talents of their fellow students.

The Trials and Tribulations of Twenty-One

Isabella Irwin Co-Opinion Editor

The long-awaited day has fi nally arrived: the dawn of the 21st birthday. In the United States, there is probably no birthday more anticipated than this one.

A few Saturdays ago, I joined a generation of 21-yearolds, a day marked by the disposal of fake IDs and a trip to the much sought-after bar that was inaccessible until now. (Kelly’s, I will see you soon.)

One’s 21st birthday is the day that all things in America become legally attainable, that is, everything except renting a car.

However, that luxury that must wait until 25 also largely depends on one’s location and what insurance a person has, so I am not 100% certain of this fact. I digress.

Anyways, on April 1st— yes, April Fools’ Day—I turned 21. My friends hosted a party and

pregame at our house before we ventured out on the town.

A day marked down in my calendar since high school, free from the embarrassment of being turned away by bouncers and fi lled with a newfound sense of confi dence that if I was in fact denied, I could fi nally say, “Call the cops. It’s real!”

Despite my brief power trip while presenting my ID at the door of a club in Philadelphia, my birthday joy shortly subsided.

It dawned on me that this is probably the last birthday I will ever look forward to, as the trials and tribulations of older ages will soon be upon me.

With such a large buildup confi ned to a single night, my excitement was met with a fear of getting older, that no birthday will ever compare to the legendary 21st.

I am now three years past 18, the age of legal adulthood in the United States. In other words, I am three years older than the

youngest adult.

While little has actually changed in the legal status of these age groups besides my new ability to buy alcohol (and various tobacco-related products), my freshman, 18-year-old self is now a 21-yearold junior in college, soon to be a senior. I was taken aback.

I had assumed this day would be fi lled with nothing but fun, dancing and drinks, not introspective, existential thoughts. My friend and fellow junior, Victoria Datillo, felt similarly.

“Since I was the fi rst of my close friends to turn 21, I felt really old at fi rst, especially because I was the only legal one,” Datillo said. “However, that feeling didn’t last long, and within a few days I felt no diff erent than before my birthday.”

My fear was slightly mitigated by the inevitably of age and how all my friends will soon hit the 21 mark, as well. Junior Jackie Thomas, who also turned 21 earlier this year, agreed.

“I could not wait for my 21st birthday,” Thomas said. “When I turned 21, I hung my old fake ID on my fridge, so excited to never need that thing again. But I’m also kind of sad now that I’m 21, like there’s nothing else to wait for.”

What is next? The exact question that sparked my rabbit hole of a thought of getting old by simply turning 21.

No doubt, I am too young to be worrying about aging and should spare these feelings for a later date.

Since my 21st birthday celebration, while my fear of getting older is still very much alive, my worries have simmered down. Just as 21 brought new freedoms, so too will later birthdays, like renting a car.

That is, if I learn how to drive by then. Who knows what future birthdays will hold. Truly, there is no point in worrying about an inevitable part of life, even if we cannot help it sometimes.

This year’s Villys, Villanova’s annual film festival, featured a record 19 student-made films. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photographyr

CULTURE

Villanova Theatre: “Sunday in the Park with George”

Sara Hecht Staff Writer

Continued from pg. 1

contest with the little girl depicted at the center of Seurat’s painting. Sondheim’s musical vivifies this child, as well as 14 other figures featured in the painting. With these enlivened figures, Sondheim’s lyrics and Jame Lapine’s book create entire interwoven storylines for each of Seurat’s subjects, including a few love affairs and transcontinental voyages.

The story is a work of true genius which the show’s program attributes to Sondheim, who passed away in November of 2021 at the age of 91.

“One of the most important figures in 20th century musical theater, Sondheim is credited for having reinvented the American musical with shows that tackle unexpected themes that range far beyond the genre’s traditional subjects that feature music and lyrics of unprecedented complexity and sophistication,” the program read.

Such unexpected themes and complex, sophisticated lyrics are evident and honored by Villanova Theatre’s stunning production.

Senior Grace Kully was in the audience opening night and shared her reaction to the way in which the technical aspects of the show worked hand-

in-hand with the performers to create a visually stunning piece.

“The storyline was really fascinating and intriguing, and the magnitude of the production, in terms of set, props, costumes, light and sound, was really exciting to see – especially as it was so creative and well executed,” Kully said.

The scale of this production pays homage to Sondheim’s monster of a score with its gorgeous lyrics and dreamy melodies. Thus, when it comes to Sunday, it is hard to pick just a few favorite songs or moments. However, when polling cast, production staff, crew and audience members the most popular stand out moments included the songs “The Day Off,” “We Do Not Belong Together” and “It’s Hot Up Here.”

Ryan Sherchak, a first-year MA student in Villanova’s Theatre program, commands the role of George in Villanova’s production. His embodiment of the character is as precise as Seurat’s pointillism itself. Sherchak shared that the opening of Act II, a scene in which his character is absent, is his favorite part of the show.

“My favorite part of the show is oddly ‘It’s Hot Up Here,’” he said. “I think it’s a great opener to Act II and unbelievably clever in conveying what these characters would be experiencing after being immortalized in this painting. This is all in addition to the

fact that the entire number is done in their painted positions with little to no movement. The song must be convincing and interesting if there is going to be hardly any movement.”

In addition to his favorite moment, Sherchak also shared why he finds Sunday, a show set in the 19th century, still so relatable, powerful and poignant today.

“Sunday in the Park with George explores the intricacies of passion and drive and how that tends to interact and intertwine with life,” Sherchack said. “When I first graduated college, I moved to New York in pursuit of a theatrical career. But life takes over, bills need to be paid, and your passion gets put on the back burner. As I continue to get older, I have found myself allowing my day to day to be influenced by what brings me joy again. In my opinion, there is no point in living your day to day life if you aren’t pursuing something you’re passionate about.”

Passion is intrinsic to Sunday, as it is the story of a painter who tirelessly devotes himself to creating a new style of art. In the show, Seurat’s fictional daughter strikingly sings, “It’s not so much do what you like as it is that you like what you do,” to her grandson, another young artist struggling to find new inspiration for his art. This statement holds a sentiment all audience members should heed and remember.

“Where I find this show relatable to audiences today is in the exploration of passion, as well as in the loss of passion and how that flame can be reignited,” Sherchack said. “We all experience the humdrum days, weeks, years, etc… before we let go of what society expects and rediscover ourselves and what we want. George and Dot both live their lives with gusto and conviction for their passions, needs, wants, desires (for some a bit too much, I’m looking at you, George, haha). Ultimately, for me though, this speaks to their drive and devotion, which is what I’ve taken away from this show.”

In fact, many audience members have already paid witness to the immense creativity and inspiring message of this musical. Reflecting on opening night of the show, senior Mary Sweeney shared how she was particularly struck by the cast’s united vivification of Seurat’s two dimensional divisionist painting, as well as how their performance resonated so deeply with audiences.

“The actors truly did wonders at pulling characters off the canvas and creating a story that was captivating until the last stroke,” Sweeney said. Villanova Theatre’s Sunday in the Park with George will run until Sunday, April 23rd. Tickets are available for purchase on the Villanova Theatre website with special prices for students, staff, seniors and large groups.

VTV and CAT Host Third Annual Villys

Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor

For the past three years, Villanova has honored student filmmakers with an awards show and film festival: The Villys. Run by Villanova Television (VTV) and the Campus Activities Team (CAT), the Villys works to “celebrate student films and creativity,” according to Vice President of VTV Ally Weitzman.

In April of 2020, Weitzman helped VTV host its first Villys. Years before, VTV attempted to create a student film festival, but it did not get the traction the club had hoped for. With a background in filmmaking, Weitzman spearheaded what is now known as the Villys.

“During 2020, when I was a general body member, there was talk of VTV trying again at a film festival, but no plans were made and then we got sent home because of COVID,” Weitzman said. “That spring, I earned an executive board position and became the new Director of Internal Affairs. With the support of the current president at the time, Zach Mann, we decided to try again at creating a film festival. With no prior framework to replicate, we had to create the event from the ground up.”

The first year the festival ran, Weitzman established judging rubrics, festival rules, solidified the submission process, established a partnership with CAT and focused on various other logistics.

In previous years, the event has seen different hosts and has found a large amount of success among the student body.

This year, the event was hosted by Noel Doherty, a Villanova student and social media content creator who brought energy and laughter to the event.

Student filmmakers from around campus came to present their films, with awards given out in nine different categories. “Fermata” won Best Editing and Audience Choice, “The F9 Key” won Best Story, “Less Soap More Blood” won for Best Cinematography, “Purgatory” won for Best Acting, “They/Themed” won Best Comedy and “Not Enough Time” won Best Drama and Standout Villys Filmmaker.

The Villys also highlighted the work of Oak Tree Films, a student-run production company in Villanova’s Social Justice Documentary Course. Oak Tree Films showed two documentaries that centered on the lives and work of female leaders in Kenya.

Weitzman got in on the filmmaking action alongside friends A.J. Fezza, Jake Saunders and Matt Gaetano with their film “Fermata.”

“The inspiration for our film came from the fact that we are all college seniors about to end a major chapter of our life,” Fezza said. “We wanted to capture the anxiety and uncertainty that comes with endings and new beginnings through the character of Miles. We also wanted to incorporate music, given the musical

talent that exists in our group, particularly in Jake.”

Fezza, Saunder, Gaetano and Weitzman have submitted films for all three Villys. Attempting to change up the genre each year, the group opted for a more “traditional, dramatic approach,” according to Fezza.

Although the event was a fantastic night for students, putting on such a large event requires a large amount of coordination and problem solving.

“The event this year faced some obstacles,” Weitzman said. “Initially, we had planned in advance for the Villys to be 4/16. Unfortunately, this turned out to be Admitted Students Day, so we had to pivot well into already planning the event and communicating the film showing dates.”

Despite date troubles and the inevitable sound obstacles, Weitzman stated that she is “proud that we were able to create an inclusive, fun space to celebrate student art and were able to produce a third Villys.”

Other members of VTV played a critical role in the production of the Villys, including Ashton Rodriguez, the Director of Internal Affairs; Justin Groel, the Director of Events and Isabella Ledet, the Communications Director and the Villys Committee.

“Every day, students are looking for ways to entertain themselves, whether it be through live streaming, going to a movie or attending a student organization event,” Weitzman said. “Why not have an event that celebrates Villanova Student filmmakers?”

Villanova students enjoy their night at the Villys. Courtesy of @VillanovaTV on Instagram

Student Spotlight: Musician Brock LaPorte

Tallulah Laska Staff Writer

For some people, being a student-athlete is enough to fill their plate, but as the COVID-19 pandemic exploded in 2020, Brock “Brody” LaPorte decided to expand his musical side. LaPorte had always been interested in music, having played the guitar throughout his life. However, when the pandemic prevented him from playing on Villanova’s men’s lacrosse team and classes were offered online, he realized he had more free time to explore music.

With his free time, LaPorte learned how to play piano and figured out how to remix songs. Additionally, he learned how to add his own music on top of other songs and mash them with other songs.

LaPorte graduated from the Villanova School of Business in 2022 after studying finance and real estate. Because he had an extra year of NCAA lacrosse eligibility, due to COVID-19, he chose to continue playing lacrosse while doing the Business Analytics online graduate program at Villanova. It was then when LaPorte also realized his passion for music was more than just a hobby.

LaPorte began releasing mixes on SoundCloud, and he gained more traction. His music has expanded to original songs, and three of them are now released on

Spotify. His most recent, “lost in you,” is a collaboration with Thomas Newton, a senior mechanical engineer at Villanova. LaPorte and Newton connected via TikTok, creating a song with the goal of a summer feel. They began working on it from the end of 2022 into early 2023, and after workshopping it, it was released on March 24th.

“The chords are really happy, the melody is really happy,” LaPorte said. “It’s windows down, smile on your face kind of music.”

Newton was excited to collaborate with LaPorte on the song. One of LaPorte’s ideas was to have Newton perform a guitar solo during the song, which he loved.

“It was great to work with Brody on the song,” Newton said. “He’s got a great ear for music and definitely is starting to find his sound as a producer. I’m usually very meticulous with my songs, and every lyric or note has to be there for a reason. He was very open to the feedback I gave him, and we really experimented with a lot of different ideas.”

However, LaPorte also understands the importance of having a well-paying job before putting in all his time and effort into music. This is why he chose to further his education at Villanova and pursue a corporate job post-graduation.

“I’m a big believer in doing something that makes you fulfilled and happy,” LaPorte explained, “But I also want a good financial

backing.”

Following his graduation this May, LaPorte will be moving to New York with a full-time job, but plans to continue with music on the side. He wants to have a good work-life balance and make time for his music with a goal of eventually pursuing it full-time.

LaPorte has advice for any aspiring musicians, or anyone who is interested in something out of their comfort zone.

“At the end of the day, if you’re really interested in something, just dive deep into it,” LaPorte said. “Don’t be afraid to be bad at the start. Everyone’s bad at the start. Even Elton John was bad at playing the piano at first.”

LaPorte has many songs released on Spotify and SoundCloud, with more to come. He can be found on Spotify as “Brock,” on Instagram @brockmusic__ and on TikTok @brockmusic.

If students have ever wanted to sit in on a conversation between two best friends or have wanted to hear fellow Villanova students’ takes on current events that are happening both on and off campus, Villanova’s WXVU, V 89.1 The Roar has just the program.

For the Benefit of the Radio is one of the main shows on Villanova’s very own radio station. It is broadcast live from Dougherty Hall every Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

The show is co-hosted by Danielle Armitage, a senior political science major, and Marisa Weber, a junior communications major. They have co-hosted For the Benefit of the Radio since the fall of 2021.

The title of the show originated from Armitage’s love of One Direction, as it is a reference to a specific interview in which Harry Styles said the phrase.

“One Direction gave a radio interview, and Niall [Horan] spilled his tea, and Harry Styles goes, ‘For the benefit of the radio, Niall just spilled his tea,’ and we spill tea on the radio show,” Armitage said.

When Armitage and Weber metaphorically “spill the tea,” they do so in a very stream-of-consciousness manner, spending the majority of each episode talking about whatever topics are on their

minds in creative and entertaining ways. Whether they are giving updates on members of One Direction, occasionally talking with special guests or debating whose face should appear on Mount Rushmore, no topic is off limits for Armitage and Weber.

“We talk about current events going on on campus, about our weekend, anything fun that’s happening [and] sporting events that are happening nearby,” Armitage said. “It’s just us talking.”

The program itself was also inspired by One Direction, as Armitage originally had the idea to play the band’s songs on air. This morphed into the idea of having a different theme for each episode, and Armitage quickly recruited Weber.

“[Armitage] sent me her station manager’s contact, we

pitched an idea for the show and here we are a year later,” Weber said.

Some of For the Benefit of the Radio’s themes have included classic rock, spring break and certain holidays that occurred around the time particular episodes were broadcast. Specifically, one of Weber’s favorite themes was their Halloween special.

“I really liked our Halloween special last year,” Weber said. “I love Halloween. It’s my favorite holiday, and we played Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ ‘Psycho Killer’ by the Talking Heads and stuff like that, so it was a lot of fun.”

The show’s song selection for each episode is just as important as the co-host’s discussions, as Armitage and Weber usually try to incorporate a two-song break every 30 minutes during each epi -

sode.

Although predominantly Villanova-based, For the Benefit of the Radio has generated a sizable fanbase off campus across multiple states as well.

“Our friends from home listen,” Weber said. “I’m from Pennsylvania, [and] she’s from Colorado, so both our friends will tune in. Our parents will tune in. My mom’s coworkers started tuning in, so it’s grown since we started.”

“I work at the YMCA, and they’ll play it all over the speakers,” Armitage said.

While the fans are a nice bonus, Armitage and Weber would still enjoy creating episodes even if no one was listening. At the show’s core are two friends who enjoy talking to each other and love getting the chance to spend time together.

“It’s a nice little break for an hour-and-a-half to two hours every day,” Armitage said. “Usually, the only time Marisa and I see each other during the week is during our show, so it’s a nice time for us to get updated on each other’s lives [and] see what’s going on. It’s really just two besties having a chat.”

“Honestly, we don’t really care if people listen,” Weber said. “We just like doing it because it’s fun.”

Although the show will be wrapping up this semester, Armitage and Weber have some plans for upcoming episodes to ensure that the show will finish strongly.

Villanova student athlete Brody LaPorte produces music on the side. Courtesy of Brody LaPorte

Brendan King Staff Writer

“For the Benefit of the Radio” is broadcast on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Courtesy of WXVU

WXVU’s “For the Benefit of the Radio”

Campus Cat Survives Health Scare

Allison Bajada Staff Writer

No matter what name students know her by (Austin, Brick, Potluck, etc.), they have certainly seen the friendly, gray and white cat that regularly haunts the small patch of grass in front of Austin Hall. Well-known for approaching anyone and everyone for snacks and scratches, this literal Villanova Wildcat is gorgeous, friendly and beloved by the community. Some visited her every night with food and treats swiped from the dining hall, or purchased specifically for her, while others stopped by for a quick hello as they traversed campus after sunset. If students were lucky enough, she would perch atop their laps and settle in for a brief respite from the cold.

“I’m amazed at how friendly and affectionate Austin is for a stray cat,” senior Ryan Dery said. “She’ll come right up to you for pets and she’ll even sit on your lap. It’s hard not to like her immediately.”

But, if students have gone to look for her recently, they’ll realize she’s nowhere to be found. Where did she go?

On Wednesday, March 29th, the usual late-night visit to Austin’s hangout became a cause for concern. Austin was bleeding. A lot. Frantically, following many Google searches, Austin was rushed to the veterinarian. Ultimately, the vet said that it could either be a life threatening emergency or nothing major. It it was an emergency, the veterinarian indicated that the cost of surgery could run between $1000 and $8000. The veterinarian said to monitor Austin closely for the next few days to see if her condition improved.

“We became very concerned for her health when the bleeding did not subside after a few days. In fact, it got worse,” Dery said, who joined me in visiting Austin on a daily basis.

We suspected she may have pyometra, a uterine infection that can easily kill a cat within a week if the course is severe enough. After consulting with a friend, Lisa Weisberg, a who has extensive experience in cat rescue and has rescued many cats of her own, we knew we had to act immediately. With the help of two friends and fellow cat-lovers, Dery and Eva Petron, we lured the cat out, picked her up and dropped her in a carrier. Although she was frightened, she was calm, and quiet and a wonderful houseguest.

The next morning, Dery dropped her off at Villanova Veterinary Hospital, where an expert confirmed a Google-search hypothesis: she had a uterine infection. Not only that, but an x-ray showed that she was pregnant with four kittens. The doctor was unsure if they were viable, but planned to operate on Austin the following morning. We would only know then if the kittens were alive, but Austin would be given antibiotics in the meantime.

The veterinarian called the following morning with wonderful news: the antibiotics had helped Austin tremendously. The bleeding had reduced significantly, and an ultrasound confirmed that there were four heartbeats present. Austin was given some vaccines, was tested for feline aids, leukemia, influenza and heart worm (all negative), and was sent home with antibiotics. She was the calmest patient ever, and things were looking up for her. The next day, she made an uneventful trip home to New York City, calmly riding in the car and jamming out to Weezer. Austin took up residence with Weisberg, who had graciously offered to care for her through her labor and recovery.

“When [I] checked on her later that night something didn’t seem right – Austin was very quiet and didn’t move,” Weisberg said, who advised we err on the side of safety and return to the veterinarian the following day.

Labor began much sooner than expected. The next day, Austin gave birth to one stillborn kitten. Weisberg and the cat was rushed to the veterinarian. The veterinarian stated that Austin had no fever, which was a good sign. Three heartbeats were still present, and we were told that the rest of the kittens should be out. 24 hours later, no more kittens had emerged, so Austin went right back to the hospital. Only two heartbeats were left, she was running a fever and becoming septic.

“The infection had taken over her body and filled her bladder and trachea,” Weisberg said, who was with Austin at the veterinarian that morning. The pyometra had gone from open to closed, meaning that the infection was no longer flushing out. She had hours left to live.

“An emergency spay was performed and Austin’s life was literally saved,” Weisberg said.

Hours later, Austin emerged from surgery, lucky to be alive. Sadly, the two kittens did not make it, as they were two weeks premature and gestating in an infected environment. Austin returned home, weary and covered in stitches from her operation. She gratefully scarfed down two cans of food and immediately fell asleep. The following morning, Austin was so much better. She was so lucky to have made it; had we waited any longer, she certainly would not have. She spent all day curled up on the couch. Austin is truly a lap cat at heart, and

a great cuddler. She is sad to leave everyone on campus behind, but is already adored by her new family and hrilled to be in her new home in a matter of weeks. Her foster mom, Weisberg, is taking incredible, attentive care of her until then.

“Taking care of Austin these past three months was a life changing experience,” Petron said. “I never let a day go by without feeding her ever since I saw her wandering outside of Austin Hall on January 13th. The growth I saw in this cat was not only inspiring but unbelievable. I went from not being able to pet her, to her sitting on my lap for moments at a time. I want to thank you for giving your love or spare scraps to Austin when she needed it the most. We must continue to come together as a community and help out the other stray cats on campus. Without us, they won’t make it. Please continue to look out for our other friends lingering around campus. It was truly an honor to care for and ultimately save Austin in the true spirit of a Wildcat.”

Thank you to everyone who took the time to care for this truly special cat. To feed her, to pet her, to spend time with her and play with her. A special thank you to Weisberg, Dery and Petron, as their care, concern, and investment saved her life. One can see in her comfort and trust that she was well treated and wellloved by our Villanova community. Rest assured knowing she is happy and healthy.

What’s in the Stars for You: April Horoscopes

Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor

Aries: It is your time to shine, Aries. With spring in full bloom, you are feeling more creative and powerful than ever. Dedicate some time each day to explore these new creative outlets and avenues. In addition, mindfully spend your free time with the people who mean the most to you. This will not only recharge your battery, but will show the most important people you love and appreciate them.

Taurus: This week, you might find yourself with more free time than usual. Maybe a class was canceled, or it is a lighter week of schoolwork. Take this time to give back to the people who are important to you. You can identify people in your life who have been there for you when you have been overwhelmed; now it is time for you to fill their cup while you have the ability.

Gemini: You may feel really overwhelmed right now. In these moments of extreme stress, uncertainty and turbulence, it is important to remember the past. Identify times where you have made it through events and experiences that felt impossible. Harness the strength you have within you and your capability to persevere. Although this is challenging, you are more capa-

ble than you believe.

Cancer: You feel a lack of control this week. While you would much rather feel like you can predict everything that happens, lean into this uncertainty and embrace what will come. When you feel yourself worrying about the future, try to center on the present. Everything will work out the way it is supposed to.

Leo: This week, you may be faced with a difficult and stark decision. While there may be a clear “safe” option, make sure to recognize the benefits that could come from taking a risk. The stars urge you to realize the capabilities you have in the unknown. It is easy to stick to your comfort zone, but the benefits that can come from taking a risk are more bountiful than you can imagine.

Virgo: You attract what you put out into the universe. Think about it. What energy are you putting into the world? Positivity, anxiousness, turbulence, optimism, regret, excitement? What do you want this energy to reflect to others? You can control the image that other people have of you by altering the energy you put into the world. Create the picture of yourself that you would best want to show to others.

Libra: You feel on top of the world right now. While it is important to

bask in this feeling and recognize all that you did to get here, don’t forget to also take the time to recognize new passions, goals and dreams. Your capabilities have exceeded your expectations. This is the perfect time to continue to push further into what you can see for yourself.

Scorpio: This week you might feel a lack of motivation. At first, this scares you because you are used to using productivity to measure your success. Challenge yourself to reframe this mindset and recognize the benefits of not pushing forward at full force. What do you gain from slowing down and taking time for projects and people that ignite you? The answer: more than you can imagine.

Sagittarius: You may find yourself faced with a large obstacle or issue you did not expect to arise. While your knee-jerk reaction is to jump at the problem full force to try and do damage control, try to take some time to separate yourself from the issue in order to think holistically about the situation. Although it may be difficult to jump at the quick solution, you will find that taking the time to process the event will allow you to come up with the best course of action that will satisfy you.

Capricorn: You may have been feeling not quite like yourself this

week. Your emotions seem to be unhinged and you are quick to snap, even at people who care about you and have your best interest at heart. If you recognize this within yourself, take some time now to proactively reflect and prepare for the future so you do not react in this way to your closest allies. It will pay off in your relationships and mental health.

Aquarius: You need to be more sure of yourself. This week, you will find yourself replaying old, negative memories. When you are in this state of mind, try to shift the narrative to recognize why you reacted the way you did and why the decisions you made in the moment were the best for you. Giving yourself the grace to make mistakes or rash decisions is a skill and a gift that will serve you in the future. After all, it is only a part of human nature.

Pisces: Spring has sprung. You feel like you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and are basking in the sunshine. Embrace this and use the good energy to propel yourself forward into your next endeavor. While also focusing on yourself, remember you can give back to others while riding high. Bringing your joy to others is the ultimate gift. The hard times are behind you, Pisces. Take it all in and enjoy the view.

Austin, Villanova’s friendly Campus Cat, is safe and well after giving birth to four kittens. Courtesy of Allison Bajada

Kyle Neptune Provides Spring Update

Colin Beazley Co-Editor-in-Chief

Continued from pg. 1 its fi nal eight regular season games but limped into the NIT and lost to Liberty.

“I don’t know if you ever are going to be satisfi ed with results unless you win your last game,” Neptune said. “It just comes down to just growing as a team, and I was proud that our guys stayed together and continued to grow throughout the season.”

Villanova knew it would need to replace two of its top fi ve scorers, graduate students Caleb Daniels and Brandon Slater, after the season, but it was dealt an added challenge when a third, Whitmore, declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. However, the Wildcats are keeping Moore, who elected to use his additional year of eligibility to return for a fi fth season.

“It’s a great feeling [to have him back],” Neptune said. “[He’s] obviously one of the best players in the country. He’s been a leader in our program for a good amount of time now and brings a lot of experience, a lot of talent, a lot of versatility to your lineup. So [I’m] very happy to have him back.”

Neptune added that he expects senior guard Chris Arcidiacono to take a fi fth season of eligibility as well.

With the three departures, a fourth from Angelo Brizzi’s midseason departure and an unused slot last year, the Wildcats have fi ve open scholarships for the 2023-24 season. The fi rst was taken by 2023 recruit Jordann Dumont, a Canadian wing who committed in November.

The second spot was fi lled on Friday, when Villanova added senior guard TJ Bamba, a transfer from Washington State. The All-Pac-12 honorable mention led the Cougars with 15-scored over 15 points per game and will likely take Caleb Daniels’ role next year.

With that, Neptune and the

team have three more spots to fi ll. One option is with the Class of 2023, as four-star forward Brady Dunlap is still uncommitted. Dunlap, who had committed to Notre Dame before head coach Mike Brey’s retirement, was reportedly on campus recently and has Villanova in his fi nal fi ve schools. However, the most likely tool is the portal. The Wildcats will target at least two wings/forwards as replacements for Slater and Whitmore, and they desperately need depth, as well. There’s a Hunter Dickinson-sized whale in the portal that Villanova would love to have, but it is unknown if

Dickinson is interested in reuniting with his high school teammate Moore.

An option that Villanova has been heavily linked to is Maryland’s Hakim Hart. Hart, who went to Roman Catholic in Philadelphia, has been a threeyear Terrapin starter and averaged 11.4 points in his senior year for the Terps. He has interest from Kansas and Gonzaga as well, but visited Villanova over the weekend.

Although rosters are still being assembled, coaching changes and early transfers mean that the Big East will be more competitive than ever next season.

“You go up and down the entire league, you got great coaches, great players, got great fan bases, got great institutions,” Neptune said. “I think our league has just gotten better and better since I’ve been in it. I think it’s rapidly being known as one of the premier basketball leagues in the country.”

While his job is getting harder, the Big East is improving and his roster is far from complete, Neptune is cautiously optimistic.

“I’ve learned pretty quickly here over my few years of being a head coach that you’re not going to be able to control everything,” Neptune said. “We’ll go back to just trying to be the best team we can be by the end of the season.

“No matter what the factors are, hopefully they’re all in our favor.”

Women’s Lax Tops Georgetown For First Time in 29 Years

Elijah McDow Staff Writer

History was made on Saturday, April 15th in the nation’s capital. For the fi rst time in 29 years, Villanova’s women’s lacrosse team beat Georgetown winning a 13-12 thriller.

Head coach Jill Batcheller and her team did something on Saturday that has not been done for almost three decades.

“The last Villanova team to beat Georgetown was in 1994,” Batcheller said. “Getting the win on Saturday meant everything to this program. It was validation of all of our hard work and a sign we are continuing to progress in the right direction.”

The fi rst quarter got off to a fast start. Graduate attacker Caroline Curnal opened up scoring, but Georgetown quickly responded.

After a few minutes of play, junior attacker Kayla Gulmi scored to regain the lead for the Wildcats, as the remainder of the fi rst quarter stayed close with constant lead changes.

The Wildcats are no strangers to lead changes during the game.

“This was a game where I really feel all of our preparation and past games came into play,” Batcheller said. “We have been in

so many close games this season that I think our team did a great job with game management and composure during the lead switches.”

In the second quarter, the Wildcats established themselves as the more dominant team. Senior attacker Cara Moreau scored her second goal, while sophomore attacker Sydney Pappas scored two goals and junior attacker Izzy Francati chipped in with a goal of her own to give the Wildcats a 7-5 lead heading into the locker room.

During halftime, Batcheller made a few adjustments to help her team maintain its momentum.

“We did change into our zone defense shortly after halftime,” Batcheller said. “Our defense was really confi dent in our zone game plan, so the switch became a momentum shifter for us.”

Coming out of halftime, Georgetown regained its presence.

The Hoyas scored back-to-back goals to tie the game, but as it has done all season, Villanova quickly responded to the second-half lead

change. Senior midfi elder Addie Fischer scored a goal, which put the Wildcats back on top, but a quick response goal from Georgetown tied the game back up. However, the game was only tied for a short amount of time, as Curnal netted two goals to send the Wildcats into the fi nal quarter of play, 10-9 Continuous back-and-forth play resulted in a closely contested fourth quarter.

It was not until 2:55 minutes remaining in the game that Francati scored what would be the winning goal, giving the Wildcats a 13-11 lead.

While Georgetown scored with one minute remaining, it was not enough to send the game to overtime.

“Joy. Pure joy,” Batcheller said about the scene in the locker room post-game and the bus ride home. “As a coach, it was one of the best moments to see them so happy and proud of what they had accomplished.”

Up next for the Wildcats is a trip to Cincinnati, Ohio for a midweek road game against Xavier on Wednesday, April 19th. The Musketeers are currently 4-7. This is one of two remaining games for the Wildcats, as they will head into the Xavier matchup with a 10-4 record.

Kyle Neptune provided updates on the Wildcats just one month post their NIT loss. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

The Wildcats solidified their 13-12 win in the last quarter. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Brooke Ackerman Co-Sports Editor

This past week, No. 13 Villanova men’s lacrosse (9-1, 2-1 Big East), improved its record after a commanding 20-8 win over Providence.

In the win, fifth-year goalie Will Vitton made 14 saves, winning the 35th game of his career to become the winningest goalie in program history. Vitton also remains fourth in school history with 636 career stops, and is the current Division I active career leader with 3,273:52 minutes played.

“Will’s been starting since he was a freshman, so he’s experienced,” head coach Mike Corrado said. “He plays with a lot of confidence, and the kids on the team have a lot of confidence in him.”

The Wildcats came out fast against the Friars, with a goal from fifth-year midfielder Austin Fraser just 46 seconds into the game. They followed up the quick start by building a 5-0 in the first quarter, with goals from Fraser, junior attackman Matt Licata, fifth-year midfielder Matt Campbell, fifth-year attackman Patrick Dalt and senior midfielder Gavin Burke, all within the first 11plus minutes of the game.

“I thought it was important for our confidence to come out and score quickly and put the [Denver loss] behind us,” Corrado said.

Come halftime, Villanova led, 12-7, and would go on to outscore

Men’s Lacrosse Improves to 9-1

Providence, 8-1, in the second half.

The win was spearheaded by Licata and Campbell, who each had four goals, but the victory over the Friars was a collective team effort.

11 different Wildcats scored a goal, while 14 different players tallied at least one point in the win.

“When we’re at our best we can spread it out,” Corrado said. It’s pretty rare to get 14 players with a point, and to start getting contributions [from everyone] it forces other teams to not just focus on one player… it makes us hard to defend.”

Villanova dominated on all ends of the field against the Friars, especially with senior faceoff specialist Justin Coppola who went 14-for-25 at the X, and picked up 12 ground balls. With this performance, Coppola became the second player in school history to surpass 300 career ground balls, and third in school history with 571 career faceoff wins, just eight behind Chris Colliniates (2004-

07) for second place.

“To have someone like Justin, he’s so experienced, he’s confident and he’s incredibly competitive,” Corrado said. “One thing with Justin is he’s quick enough, fast enough and tough enough to compete, even when he doesn’t win a move, he’s still effective.”

The Wildcats will remain at Villanova this week for their last home game against Marquette (6-5, 1-1 Big East) before the Big East Tournament.

“Marquette is a very good team,” Corrado said. “They’ve got two or three All-American type players on their team. We’re gonna expect Marquette to come in here and play a really good game, and expect to have a hard and physical battle with them.”

Villanova is set to take on the Golden Eagles on Saturday, April 22nd. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

April 12 - April 18

Wednesday, April 12

Men’s Tennis vs. St. Joe’s 4-3 W Baseball vs. Penn

4-15 L

Softball vs. Drexel

10-3 W

Thursday, April 13

Women’s Tennis vs. St. Joe’s

5-2 W

Softball @ Hofstra

1-4 L

Friday, April 14

Softball @ St. John’s

8-3 W

Baseball @ Butler

13-9 W

Men and Women’s T&F @ Larry Ellis Invite

No Team Scoring

Saturday, April 15

Rowing @ Knecht Cup Day 1 No Team Results

Men’s Tennis vs. Georgetown

2-5 L

Water Polo vs. No. 18 Wagner

4-15 L No. 14 Men’s Lacrosse @ Providence

20-8 W

Softball @ St. John’s

12-0 W

Baker (Dunleavy) Back in the Kitchen

Villanova alumnus Baker

Dunleavy stepped down from his former Quinnipiac men’s basketball head coach position on Thursday, April 13th, and will now return to Villanova for a brand new role in Wildcat athletics: general manager of all of Villanova basketball.

“My intent was not to leave, and sometimes in life I think opportunities come up,” Dunleavy said. “For me, it was a decision of what was best for me and my family and what was my future in coaching in terms of my passion to coach going forward versus this new opportunity.”

Dunleavy played at Villanova from 2003-2006, and served as an assistant under Jay Wright from 20102017.

After leaving Villanova in 2017, he took the head coaching job at Quinnipiac for six years. This past season, he led Quinnipiac to a 20-12 record, its best season since 20132014.

But now, Dunleavy rejoins the Villanova community in a new role.

“I think there’s a job at hand that’s really important and one that I’m really excited to get to work on,” Dunleavy said. “I just couldn’t be more excited knowing what the place, the program, and the people are all about.”

In his new role, Dunleavy will assist with Name, Image and Likeness, student-athlete brand-building and marketing, the transfer portal, and will advance institutional fund-

raising in partnerships with University Advancement.

“I think really the main goal is… in an ever changing environment, to navigate [everything] as a Villanova community, and keep true some of those things that have been pillars at Villanova since the 1950s and 60s, both on and off the court,” he said. “The environment, the feeling, why people are here — those things need to stay the same, and to keep those things the same I think we need to be creative in how we approach some of these new opportunities.”

More than 20% of Division I men’s scholarship players have entered the transfer portal, with six collegiate conferences seeing more than 30% of their players in the portal, making player mobility higher than it has ever been.

With changes such as these, Dunleavy’s new role is critical.

“The changes are obvious, and they’re there,” Dunleavy said. Villanova is gonna be a place where guys can take advantage of [the deals they’re being offered]. But we have to do a good job of continuing to evaluate guys that really fit us as a university and as a basketball program.”

For Villanova, Dunleavy’s background and familiarity with Villanova is key.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be back at Villanova,” he said. “My wife is also an alum, 2005, and my four girls [are with us], we’re just so thrilled to be back in what is such a special community to us.”

Dunleavy is son of former NBA player and coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. His brother Mike Jr is also a former NBA player, and his brother

Women’s T&F @ Larry Ellis Invite No Team Scoring Baseball @ Butler

12-2

Women’s Lacrosse @ Georgetown

13-12 W

Water Polo vs. La Salle

6-7 L Baseball @ Butler

18-15 W

Women’s Tennis vs. Georgetown

1-6 L

Sunday, April 16

Rowing @ Knecht Cup Day 2 No Team Results

Baseball @ Butler

Cancelled

Softball @ St. John’s

2-1 W

Women’s Tennis vs. Lafayette

4-0 W

Men’s Tennis vs. Lafayette

7-0 W

Monday, April 17 No Games

Tuesday, April 18

Baseball vs. Lafayette

10-5 W

James Dunleavy is a current NBA player agent.

With his rich history in background, as well as his previous coaching position, Dunleavy will step into this new role with one key attribute: perspective.

“I think when you take a coach’s perspective into parts of a non-basketball role at times, it can help in some of the conversations,” Dunleavy said. “Everybody has got their own experiences and backgrounds and ideas, and I think at a place like Villanova, those come together and create a synergy because people respect each other and value the culture.”

Brooke Ackerman Co-Sports Editor

Baker Dunleavy spent six seasons at Quinnipiac before returning to Villanova. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Villanova has won ten of its first nine games this season and is 2-1 in Big East play.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

Baseball Wins Three Against Butler

James Haupt Staff Writer

This past week, Villanova’s baseball team played against Butler for a four-game set, of which only three were played.

Against the Bulldogs, Villanova won the fi rst three games, putting up 10 or more runs in each game.

This three-game sweep improved the Wildcats’ record to 9-25, and placed them fi fth in conference play.

The fi rst game set the tone for the rest of the weekend, as Villanova secured a 13-9 victory.

The fi rst few innings went scoreless, but then Villanova had a four-run inning highlighted by homers from senior fi rst baseman Jack O’Reilly and graduate student catcher Will Reiner.

O’Reilly had a strong overall performance at the plate, going 2-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

Freshman second baseman Michael Whooley continued his hot streak of hitting in this inning as well, roping an RBI double. He fi nished 3-5 with two RBIs, including a crucial RBI triple.

After this inning, the scoring continued for both teams as Butler had a huge, seven-run sixth inning to take the lead, but the Wildcats bounced back immediately with a four-run inning of their own.

Villanova went on to score three more runs, completing its fi rst victory of the weekend.

Despite allowing nine runs, there were some strong pitching performances in this matchup.

Junior Cade Udell threw four shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Graduate student Stephen Turzai was awarded the win after throwing 1.2 innings and allowing only three hits and zero runs.

Grad student Sal Fusco followed this performance with a 2.1 inning save, in which he allowed three hits and one unearned run.

On Saturday, April 15th, it was more of the same when the Wildcats took the next two games from Butler.

The ‘Cats won the fi rst game, 10-2, in what was a dominant display of off ense and defense.

Junior pitcher Devin Rivera continued his strong pitching in this game, by throwing seven innings and allowing only two runs on fi ve hits with four strikeouts.

This would go on to be more than enough for Villanova to secure the win. On the off ensive side, O’Reilly once again opened the game with his second homer of the series, this time in the fi rst.

Michael Whooley also had a strong performance, going 4-6 with an RBI single. Senior catcher John Whooley also played well, going 2-4, including an RBI triple in where he scored on a throwing

error.

“I’m proud of the mental and physical toughness to play through pain and injury,” head coach Kevin Mulvey said. “We put the team fi rst, giving us a chance to win.”

This mindset seemed to be carried over into the fi nal game, in which the Wildcats won, 18-15.

The best two hitting performances came from graduate student shortstop Craig Larsen and John Whooley.

Larsen went 4-5 with three RBIs and Whooley went 2-5 with fi ve RBIs, including a three-RBI triple in the ninth that would prove to be the diff erence in the fi nal score.

There was some trouble with the pitching in this game, as the Wildcats used a lot of arms. Despite allowing 15 runs, the ‘Cats continued to battle.

Fusco ended up with the win after throwing 1.1 innings and allowing two runs on two hits with one strikeout.

Great weekend from the team,” Mulvey said. “I’m very happy and proud. Although the pitching wasn’t perfect, we battled all weekend.”

With the successful weekend behind them, the Wildcats look ahead to their upcoming games as play Xavier in a threegame series at home, starting on Friday, April 21st.

Water Polo’s Season Comes to an End

tended their lead, 4-2, with a goal from Byles.

Villanova’s women’s water polo team wrapped up its season this past weekend at the LIU Pool with losses to No. 18 Wagner College, 15-4, and La Salle University, 7-5.

In tough match on Saturday, April 15th, the ‘Cats lost to Wagner. Despite Junior Stella Byles’ two goals, Villanova struggled to keep up with Wagner’s high-powered offense and was outscored, 9-0, in the first and third periods combined.

Although Villanova made some progress in the second quarter, closing the gap to five, Wagner’s strong offense proved too much in the end. The Seahawks closed out the game with two more goals, securing their victory.

In the next game against La Salle, Villanova started off slow, falling behind, 2-0, early in the game. However, it managed to cut the lead in half before halftime when a shot from freshman Isabel Foley that found the back of the net.

In the second quarter, Villanova quickly tied the game with a goal from senior Emily Morrissey and took the lead with a goal from sophomore Amelia Baca, just over 30 seconds later.

Villanova’s defense, led by sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Shaw’s two blocks, was a challenge for La Salle, and the Wildcats ex-

Despite a two-goal lead at halftime, Villanova could not overcome La Salle’s strong second-half performance. La Salle scored to cut Villanova’s lead to 4-3, and it continued to push in the second half. La Salle tied the game, 4-4, and then a penalty foul put the Explorers up, 5-4.

In the fourth quarter, La Salle scored again to extend its lead, 6-4. Villanova’s offense struggled in the second half, but it managed to cut the deficit to one with a goal from Anna Painter. However, La Salle responded with another goal to make it a 7-5 game, with just over a minute to play.

Villanova scored with six seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough, as La Salle held on for the win. With this loss, Villanova fell short of earning one of the six spots in the MAAC Championship, ending its 2023 season.

The Wildcats concluded their 2023 season, with a 14-19 record.

“[I am] excited to see how next year’s team will respond to this last loss,” head coach Larry Sanders said. “I know they will want another opportunity to get to the conference championships.

“[The team will be] placing a large emphasis on scoring goals next season,” Sanders said. “We have talented players, but we need to be more consistent.”

Villanova’s record improved to 9-25 after winning three against Butler. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Camden Wright Staff Writer

Villanova finished its season with a 14-19 record. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Softball Sweeps St. John’s for No. 4 Conference Spot

Katie Lewis Staff Writer

This weekend, Villanova’s softball team claimed three victories over St. John’s.

As the sweep comes off another conference win last weekend against Butler, the team currently sits in fourth place in the Big East, with a 25–18 overall record and a 10–5 conference record.

To kick off the weekend, the Wildcats clinched the first game of the series with an 8–3 win on Friday, April 14th.

Freshman Kat Gallant was the starting pitcher for Villanova and reached a career high of eight strikeouts. Junior Caroline Pellicano shined in relief to deliver four outs, earning the save.

After the Red Storm took a 1–0 lead to open the game, the Wildcats struck back in the fourth, tallying four runs after a scoreless second and third inning. Junior center fielder Tess Cites was the first to get on base with a shot to left field for a double. A single and stolen base by senior third baseman Chloe Smith put both players in scoring position. Senior first baseman Victoria Sebastian then notched a two-RBI double to even the score.

Later in the fourth, graduate catcher Ryan Henry smashed a ball out of the park to add three more runs for a 4–1 Villanova

advantage.

The Wildcats scored again in the sixth inning. Freshman utility Kendall Spivey pinch-ran after senior Ally Jones’ single, scoring after two St. John’s wild pitches and a passed ball.

The Red Storm scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning, but Villanova still led, 5-3.

In the last inning, freshman Maddie Burrows singled for her first career hit, scoring after another Cites hit. A Jones line drive brought Cites home, and Smith reached first base after a St. John’s outfield error. The Wildcats’ final run came off Sebastian’s second hit of the game to score Smith.

On Saturday, April 15th, the Wildcats mercied the Red Storm, 12–0, in five innings.

White was in the circle for the first four innings, holding back the Red Storm with four strikeouts and allowing just two hits. Junior Alyssa Seidler finished the game for the Wildcats with two strikeouts.

Villanova bats were hot from the first inning, with singles from Cites and Jones and Sebastian’s second double of the weekend, for a 2–0 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, the Wildcats recorded six more runs in the third. Cites duplicated her first hit with another single up the middle, and Smith muscled a double to put her in scoring position. Sebastian deliv -

ered a centerfield single to score Smith.

Henry then blasted her second home run of the weekend to add three more runs. Sophomore infielder Ava Franz followed Henry with another home run, putting Villanova up, 8–0, going into the fourth.

In the fifth, St. John’s loaded the bases with Villanova runners after two hit-by-pitches and a walk. Junior pinch-hitter Emily Orr scored one, earning an RBI. Cites smashed a three-run homer to end the game early.

“We finally put it all together, and on Saturday there was production up and down the lineup,” head coach Bridget Orchard said.

Game three was the most highly-contested of the weekend, with the Wildcats finishing the series on top, 2–1, in eight innings.

Gallant was Villanova’s starting pitcher, striking out two and surrendering St. John’s only unearned run during her four innings in the circle. White replaced Gallant, striking out one in her 1.1 innings pitched, before Pellicano came in to record two strikeouts and pick up the win.

Both teams struggled to bring runners home in the scoreless first three innings. In the fourth, St. John’s was the first on the board with a 1–0 advantage.

Despite multiple Villanova hits, St. John’s held its lead until

the seventh inning. After outfielder Dani Dabroski landed on base from being hit by a pitch, utility redshirt sophomore Brooklyn Ostrowski singled to left field. Dabroski sped home to tie the score on two outs.

The Wildcats clinched the series in extra innings. An RBI double from Henry earned the team another run, enough to stage a comeback victory.

“They showed true grit and found a way to win, which was awesome,” Orchard said.

The series featured outstanding performances across both Villanova’s offense and defense, and at the end of the weekend the Wildcats racked up three Big East awards. Cites was recognized as Big East Player of the Week, Gallant as Rookie of the Week, and Sebastian landed on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.

Orchard maintains the team’s ambition of arriving in the second-place conference position, which requires winning all the remaining conference games and would grant Villanova a playoff bye.

“We’re definitely capable if we play like we played this weekend,” Orchard said.

The end-of-season pressure is on for the ‘Cats with an awaygame against Lehigh on Wednesday, April 19th, and the next conference matchup against DePaul at home starting on April 21.

Women’s Tennis Goes 3-1 On The Week

4-6, to Gilbert. However, Fisher ended this match with a singles win for the ‘Cats, beating Morgan Coburn, 3-4, and RET.

It was a big week for Villanova’s women’s tennis team, with four matches. On Tuesday, April 11th, the ‘Cats took on Rider resulting in a 4-0 win. Following that match, on Thursday, the team played against St. Joseph’s, winning, 5-2. The team lost on April 15th in a 1-6 match against Georgetown, but finished the week and the regular season with a 4-0 win against Lafayette.

The week started off with a clean sweep for the women’s doubles against Rider. Emi Callahan and Maggie Gehrig won their match against Agnese Ceccarelli and Daniela Naves, 6-4, and Emma Brogan and Bella Steffen won their match, 6-5, against Samantha Killin and Leila Koster. To finish off doubles, Valieriia Kornieva and Amanda Rivera-González defeated Avery Oppenheim and Raquel Bolin, 6-3. Singles was another clean sweep for the ‘Cats, with Gehrig winning against Naves, 6-2 and 6-2, Kornieva defeating Oppenheim, 6-1 and 6-1 and Steffen winning, 6-1 and 6-2, against Killin. Brogan’s, Callahan’s and Caitlin Fisher’s matches all went unfinished.

The match against Saint Joseph’s also ended in a win for the ‘Cats. In doubles, Callahan and Gehrig took the win, going 7-6 against Stow Weiss and Anna Kirk. Brogan and Steffen lost their dou -

bles match, 5-7, but Kornieva and Rivera-González bounced back with a 6-2 win to grab the doubles point. Singles went extremely well for the ‘Cats, with Gehrig taking her win against Weiss in a tight match, 7-6, 6-7 and 14-12. Callahan lost her singles match against Charlotte Kordonowy, 6-7 and 4-6. Kornieva won her match, 6-3 and 6-4, Steffen won, 7-6, Fisher won, 6-3 and 6-2 and Rivera-González lost her match, 6-4.

“It was a great match for the girls,” head coach Steve Reiniger said.

Georgetown was a tough match for Villanova. Callahan and Gehrig’s doubles match went

unfinished, Brogan and Steffen lost their match, 3-6, against Paige Gilbert and Ashley Kennedy, Kornieva and Rivera-González lost their match, 2-6, against Olivia Ashton and Morgan Coburn.

“The game [was] moved inside to a very fast paced court,” Reiniger said. “We got outplayed by Georgetown. They are a great team.”

Singles was just as tough, with many losses. Brogan lost, 6-7 and 2-6, against Avantika Willy. Gehrig lost, 1-6 and 3-6, against Agata Mikos. Callahan lost, 4-6, 6-2 and 0-1, against Chloe Bendetti. Kornieva lost, 7-5, 4-6 and 0-1 to Kennedy. Steffen lost, 2-6 and

“We would have liked to have beat Georgetown,” Reiniger said. “They have a great program and we really all need to be playing our best in order to beat a team like that.”

The ‘Cats ended their regular season with a win over Lafayette, enabling them to celebrate a win on senior day. Callahan and Gehrig took the win, 6-1, in doubles against Alyssa Perdomo and Eleanor Campbelle. Fisher and Rivera-González won their match, 6-0, against Melanie Sparhawk and Halle DeNardo. Taylor Gould and Chloe Floyd’s match against Carmen Merkel and Emma Menkowitz went unfinished.

In singles, Brogan and Gehrig’s matches also went unfinished. Kornieva won her match, 3-6, 6-0 and 6-2, against Olivia Boeckman. Steffen’s match against Sparhawk was also unfinished. Fisher won her match, 7-6 and 6-3, against Campbell, and Gould won her match against DeNardo, 7-5 and 7-6.

The team is getting ready to head to South Carolina for the Big East Tournament, which begins on April 20th.

“Our Big East record isn’t great,” Reiniger said. “But hopefully, we win our first match and more after that. The girls and I are excited and I have faith that they will do the best they can.”

Lauren Armstrong Staff Writer

The Wildcats beat both Rider and St. Joseph’s this past week. Graydon Paul/Villanovan Photography

Jacob Artz Staff Writer

Junior Liam Murphy is smashing records, again.

Murphy set the meet record at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Weaver Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey on Friday night. In doing so, he recorded the top time in the East Region in the 1500-meter run with a time of 3:39.42. Murphy’s time is more than two seconds faster than his time last weekend in Durham, North Carolina.

The time he created is well below the sub four-minute mile equivalent of 3:42.20. Murphy and senior Sean Dolan are the only two runners currently on the roster to break the 3:42.20 sub four-minute mile equivalent.

Villanova’s men’s track and field coach Marcus O’Sullivan is impressed with how quickly Murphy has ascended to this elite level.

“[Murphy] is really very talented,” O’Sullivan said. “The last year was the coming of age for him.”

Graduate student Charlie O’Donovan finished right behind Murphy with a time of 3:40.68. This was a personal best time for O’Donovan, who beat his previous best mark by almost three tenths of a second.

Murphy and O’Donovan went back-and-forth with the lead for the first three laps, with Mur-

Liam Murphy Shines Again

phy prevailing as he made the final move on the last lap.

“Charlie is very consistent in terms of he can run well from the front,” O’Sullivan said.

Sophomore Sean Donoghue finished the race impressively, with a time of 3:43.94, which won the heat that he was in.

Donoghue finished seventh out of 56 runners. For his second race in the last eight to 10 months, this time is remarkable.

“He was a bit disappointed on the weekend,” O’Sullivan said. “I was actually very happy with him.”

He had the lead for the majority of the race but was passed in the slower heat of the 800-meter and fought to maintain a solid time.

The 800-meter event featured Dolan, who posts the fastest time for the ‘Cats, 1:47.33. With this time, he won the event, putting himself in third place in the East Region and in the top slot for the Big East standings.

“His best parts come in [kind of] more like May and June, so these are early races for him,” O’Sullivan said about Dolan’s progression.

Other finishers for ‘Nova in the 800-meters included senior Miller Anderson, with a time of 1:50.88, and graduate student Trevor Potts posted a time of 1:55.82.

In the men’s 5000-meter race, freshman Marco Langon,

who ran unattached, posted a time of 13:47.42 to win the event. Langon is redshirting for the 2023 outdoor season.

“I think what [Langon] was happy about was just being able to race and to win, which is a big incentive for him,” O’Sullivan said.

Graduate student Josh Phillips and graduate student Haftu Strintzos both ran strong times in the 5000-meter event. Phillips came in third with a time

of 13:51.55, and Strintzos finished one spot behind Phillips in fourth with a time of 13:53.79.

Many of the athletes will be resting in preparation for the Penn Relays in two weeks. The sprinting portion of the Princeton meet was canceled due to severe weather, so the sprinters are attempting to race in Virginia.

The ‘Cats will continue in Virginia next weekend for the Virginia Challenge at Lannigan Field.

800m Runners Provide Solid Depth for Women’s Track

rain, Procaccio wanted Martinez to race again this week.

The young 800-meter runners for the Villanova women’s track and field team proved their worth at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Weaver Stadium in Princeton, New Jersey this weekend.

Freshman Micah Trusty ran a time of 2:05.84, while sophomore Maya Dorer ran a time of 2:06.95 in the same 800-meter event. Trusty lowered her personal best by almost a second.

During the 800, Trusty led the field throughout the first lap as she posted a 59.88 split for the first 400 meters. She was leading most of the duration of the race until the last 100 meters.

What makes the time even more noteworthy is that this was only Trusty’s second time competing in the 800-meter dash this season, as she is recovering from a hamstring injury.

Dorer set a season best time with her time, which is the third fastest time of her career. Like Trusty, Dorer was making her second appearance in the 800-meter dash. She is ahead in her progression compared to this time last season.

“That was a really great race for both of them,” head coach Gina Procaccio said.

Senior Madison Martinez raced for the second time in as many weeks and posted a time of 2:05.59 in the 800-meter run. She

finished fourth in the fastest heat of the event, which was a slight improvement from the time she posted last week in North Carolina

of 2:05.75.

Due to the poor weather conditions at Duke last weekend with temperatures in the 40s and

“She’s doing really well being that consistent,” Procaccio said. “That’s her third 2:05 of the season, and we’re still working through pretty heavy training loads.”

Sophomore Alex Stasichin placed third in the third heat with a personal best time of 2:08.78. She led the field after the first 400-meter lap with a time of 1:02.46 and beat her previous best time of 2:09.61.

“She put herself right near the front with the leaders, and then, resulted in her running a big PR,” Procaccio said.

Most of the events on Saturday were canceled due to severe weather in the area, but graduate student Ashley Preston competed in the pole vault before the storms.

Preston cleared the bar at 3.80 meters, which was a step back from the 3.95-meter clearance she had in Miami last week. Preston missed both of her attempts at the 3.90-meter height, and finished fourth out of the 10 competitors. Preston is now ranked 42nd on the East Region leaderboard.

Next week, the ‘Cats are back in action with the Virginia Challenge at Lannigan Field.

Most of the runners that competed this week will be rested to be ready for the Penn Relays starting on April 27, but other athletes will be running in the 1500-meter race and sprint events and competing in the jumps in Virginia.

Liam Murphy dominated the 1500 meter race in the East Region. Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Jacob Artz Staff Writer

Ashley Preston finished fourth in pole vault at Larry Ellis Invitational Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

THE BACKPAGE

Across

2. Billionaire who also owns the Washington Post

4. Commons building that shares a name with popular camera company

7. Philly school with hawk mascot that fl aps its wings during every basketball game

8. LSU women’s basketball player who Shaq declared the school’s greatest-ever athlete

9. Artist who cut off his left ear

12. Tim Burton’s Netfl ix original take on the Addams

14. Animal that determines when Spring comes

15. May birthstone

16. Married to Ben Affl eck

ASK THE VILLANOVAN

I’m beyond overwhelmed leading up to fi nals. How can I manage this stress?

Social, extracurricular, and academic obligations are all in full force. Try taking 30 minutes to write down your homework and fi nals schedule for the rest of the year. Regarding everything else, it’s really important to accept that you won’t be able to do everything. Take time and think about what you want to prioritize and make sure you are at the top of that list. Make intentional space for selfcare. It’s okay to say no to plans and have a night in!

My girlfriend just accepted a killer summer internship. I’m so happy for her, but I’m also a upset because I haven’t landed anything yet. How do I explain this to her?

It’s normal to compare yourself to others, especially during internship season. It’s important you continue to make her feel good and tell her how proud you are. Lifting other people up will make you feel better, too. That being

said, it’s okay to express to her, in a conversation separate from her work plans, that you feel worried about your future. We would recommend keeping your jealousy out of the conversation. You don’t want to make her feel bad for her accomplishments or like she can’t be excited around you.

I graduate in a month, but I just started talking to the most amazing person. I see it going somewhere, but graduation looming is making hesitant to take next steps. Neither of us know where we’re going to be post-grad, but I don’t want to lose them. I’m not sure how to express it. It actually sounds like you know exactly how to express it! Explaining to them that your connection is not what you expected, but you love having them in your life. Say that you know there is a lot of uncertainty ahead, but you want to try to make things work. Make sure to ask how they feel, too. Trust us, you’re not the only one in this position right now.

Down

1. Actor playing Ken in upcoming Barbie fi lm

2. Term for watching a T.V. series at an alarming rate

3. Washington State guard transferring to Villanova

5. American fashion magazine founded in 1892

6. New York hockey team, not the Rangers

7. West campus convenience shop

9. Building next to Sheehan under construction

10. President who lived the longest

11. Four person outdoor game with small net in the center

13. New movie about an infamous Nike partnership

14. AU on the periodic table