The Villanovan | Volume 115, Issue 21: December 6, 2023

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2023 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan VOLUME 115 | ISSUE 20

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

Students Prep For UCLA Tailgate

Community Reflects on the End of the 2023 Fall Semester

Elijah McDow Staff Writer

On Saturday, Dec. 9, fraternity brothers and sorority sisters will load into buses, trains and cars, but Atlantic City will not be their destination.

Prior to Villanova’s matchup with UCLA on Dec. 9, hundreds of Villanovans will return to the parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center for another year of tailgating.

Whether the game is at noon, 8 p.m. or five days away from finals, students always show up three hours early, fully clothed in Wildcat gear and ready to let loose.

While some students tailgated at last weekend’s Big 5 Classic, for some, Saturday night will mark their first of many Villanova tailgates.

For others, it will mark the start of their second, third or final season of tailgating.

Based on past tailgates, there is no denying that the student body will be locked in from the minute security lets buses and cars into the parking lot.

There is no replicating a Villanova gameday in a 21,000-seat arena, especially when it is a game between two of the country’s most storied programs.

Students have been looking forward to this game for months, and Saturday has been marked on their calendars since the 2023-2024 schedule was released.

One of those students is junior Julia Domingo.

A Los Angeles native, the game against the Bruins will be against Domingo’s hometown team.

Domingo’s conContinued on p. 14

Zoe Garrett Staff Writer

With less than a week of classes remaining and final exams looming, the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year is drawing to a close. For students, this conclusion may spark a variety of feelings: the joy of accomplishing semester-long goals and projects, the bittersweet departure from beloved professors, the relief as stress-inducing classes end and the anxiety as final exams begin.

Throughout these past months, students have navigated through many

challenging and rewarding experiences and should be proud of themselves for doing so. From freshmen adjusting to their first semester away from home to some seniors accomplishing an early graduation, every achievement warrants celebration. As Villanovans prepare to manage the home stretch of the calendar year, they should take pride in their dedication and hard work.

Reflecting on the semester, students may remember the many significant events that were critical in shaping the beginning of this school year: Cova’s adoption of a GrubHub-sponsored

The holiday season spirit is in full swing on campus as the semester comes to a close.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

ordering process, a rainsoaked Family Weekend, Rick Ross’s Hoops Mania performance, hosting the prestigious Opus Prize, and recently, the first snow. These moments– combined with countless others– contributed to a memorable semester and defined the Villanova experience for many students, faculty and staff.

“My favorite part of the semester was Special Olympics,” sophomore Brynne Taranto said.

“I was a member of the Inclusion Crew for the flag football team, and I had so much fun. It was awesome to see the whole community come together for that

weekend, from the sports games to O-Town to the ceremonies.”

Freshman Tatum Chang, a Local Program Host for Special Olympics, also found that this weekend was her favorite part of the semester. “I’ve never experienced anything like [Fall Fest] before, and being an LPH was so much fun,” she said. “I loved getting to interact with the athletes, cheer at their games, and build friendships with them. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.”

Junior Jenny Vukel enjoyed her first semester living on West Campus.

“My favorite part of the

Continued on p. 3

Football Preps for SDSU in Quarterfinals Owen Hewitt

Co-Sports Editor No. 8 Villanova claimed its ninth 10-win season in program history and finished the season undefeated at home by beating Youngstown St. in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday.

Its reward?

A quarterfinal matchup with undefeated No. 1 South Dakota State in Brookings, SD.

The ‘Cats will take on the reigning FCS champion at noon on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The game will be televised on ESPN.

A team doesn’t stumble into an undefeated season and a No. 1 ranking. The Jackrabbits have been elite on both offense and defense

Villanova faces a tough task in the FCS quarterfinals.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography.

throughout the season. They rank fourth in scoring offense, scoring 37.9 points per game, and first in scoring defense, allowing 10.33 points per game. The gap between the Jackrabbits and the next-best scoring defense in the FCS, Florida A&M, is nearly a full full points.

The Jackrabbits’ defense allowed more than 17 points in two games this season, to North Dakota and Illinois St. The offense has scored 40 or more points in Continued on p. 19

Villanova Announces Plans for New Library p. 2

Students Share Their Thoughts on Finals p. 3

Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month Symposium p. 4

First Semester Freshman Year Recap p. 6

Letter to the Editors: From a Cabrini and Villanova Alum p. 10

Villanova Hosts Irish Dance Invitational p. 16

A Villanovan’s Gift Guide p. 16

MBB Preview: UCLA at Wells Fargo Center p. 19

Liam Murphy Shatters Villanova 5k Record p. 22

THE BACKPAGE: Crossword by Peter Reilly ‘26 p. 23

2 | The Villanovan

News 1 Opinion 6 Culture 14 Sports 19

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VOL. 115 | ISS. 20 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

COLIN BEAZLEY VIVI MELKONIAN MATT RYAN SARAH SWEENEY HAYDEN KARNES NATALIE ZICKEL LYDIA McFARLANE HANNAH SWEENEY ARDEN WEST JACKIE THOMAS BELLA IRWIN CHLOE MILLER EMMA CAHILL BROOKE ACKERMAN OWEN HEWITT MADELINE OKENQUIST GRAYDON PAUL MICHAEL BRADLEY CAT COYLE CONTACT

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

Disorderly Conduct / Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 12, CAUGHLIN HALL A male resident-student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS and released to a sober friend.

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 12, SOUTH CAMPUS GROUNDS A female resident-student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS and released to a sober friend.

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 12, CAUGHLIN HALL A female resident-student, under

CORRECTIONS

In an email on Tuesday, Dec. 5, University President Rev. Peter M. Donahue, OSA, PhD announced to the community a plan for a new building to house Falvey Library at the current site of Kennedy Hall, which is colloquially known as the University’s bookstore.

The new building will be named the Vic Maggitti Hall, in recognition of a $20 million leadership gift that will fund the construction of the new building from Victor J. Maggitti, Jr., a 1956 graduate of the University’s business school.

“A centerpiece of Villanova’s campus, the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall represents a profound investment in Villanova’s future,” Father Peter said in a press release. “Located in the heart of campus, Maggitti Hall will have an immediate impact on our academic community, serve the University’s long-range goals and be a source of pride for all Villanovans.”

The new building is a part of the University’s ongoing plan to update its facilities, which is outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless.

These updates are intended to support the University’s position as a leading national research institution.

The new building was designed with input from more than 400 students, faculty and staff.

The new and improved Falvey Library will have five floors of technology-enabled spaces that will facilitate research capacity and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Maggitti wanted to give back to his alma mater and update the facility because he used the library regularly during his college years.

“Villanova’s library was important to me when I was a student, and it is even more critical in today’s world,” Maggitti said in the release. “The

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 11, STANFORD HALL A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS Ambulance and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 11, SOUTH CAMPUS GROUNDS A female resident student, under

the age of 21, was evaluated by VEMS Ambulance and transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Liquor Underage / Public Drunkenness November 10, PAVILION A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated by Narberth Ambulance and released to a parent.

Disorderly Conduct / Harassment / Public Urination November 10, L-4 LANCASTER RES. HALL LOT A male resident student reported an attempted assault during a verbal argument with two male resident students.

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

Plan for New Library Lydia McFarlane Co-News Editor

the age of 21, was evaluated by Public Safety for intoxication and released.

Harassment / Stalking August 26 - November 12, SCARPA HALL A Law School student reported being verbally harassed by another Law School student.

value and relevance of academic libraries have only expanded in the 21st century. All top-tier universities are expected to have an exceptional library with technology, study space, staffing and collections vital to research and learning—and Villanova should be no different.”

The building will be 150,000 square feet, and the extra space will allow current existing services to expand in the new building.

New features of the building will include areas to showcase rare and distinctive collections, an expanded digital scholarship suite, on-site general collections, engaging event spaces, a floor dedicated to the student learning experience, a Research and Teaching Commons, an “impressive” main entrance and a significant increase in study seats and meeting rooms.

“Falvey Library’s new home in Vic Maggitti Hall will be transformative, enabling even greater support for the current and future needs of Villanova’s academic community,” University Librarian and Director of Falvey Library Millicent Gaskell said in the release.

“It will be a modern, welcoming space for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to come together as they advance their intellectual pursuits.”

In addition to the money from Maggitti, gifts from the Luckow Family Foundation, the Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Family Foundation and the Waterhouse Family Foundation also have provided funds for the project.

The $150 million project will begin in the summer of 2024 with the demolition of Kennedy Hall. The new building is scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2027.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP designed the project.

Annual Tree Lighting Simon Kidane Staff Writer Villanova’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony took place on Monday, Dec. 4, at the Riley Ellipse. It is one of the most significant events of Villanova’s Christmas Celebration, and the annual community event was a huge success.

Many students, faculty, staff, parents and children gathered to kick off the Christmas season, and they enjoyed plenty of festive music, food and drinks.

Throughout the event, there was music performed by Villanova’s choir groups, who sang several Christmas songs and livened up the spirit and put everyone in a festive mood. There was even a visit from Santa Claus, who took pictures with some students.

Present at the event was Villanova’s President, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, who gave a short speech and a Christmas prayer, highlighting the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of the holiday celebrations.

He also indicated the importance of Advent, which is the season of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

He explains that the word Advent is derived from the Latin root “Adventus” which means “coming.” He stressed the importance of this because Advent’s significance is the waiting for the coming of Jesus, just as the Jews waited for the coming of the Messiah some two thousand years ago.

A young daughter of a Villanova faculty member was offered the opportunity to read the story of Jesus’ birth to everyone in attendance. The reading earned plenty of applause.

Father Peter also gave a blessing to all the children and students in attendance before finally lighting up the tree.

The lights on the tree, which can be found at the Riley Ellipse, were magnificent.

The vibrant colors on the main Christmas tree and those of the surrounding trees garnered awe in

the eyes of the audience.

After the lighting of the tree, Father Peter announced that there would be more festive features that night, such as s’mores, more music and a special light show.

The rest of the week will consist of more festive celebrations, such as the Villanova Pastoral Musical Holiday Concert on Wednesday, the Villanova Band’s Christmas Concert on Monday and a Holiday Village and Night Market next Monday.

Community members enjoyed the tree lighting.

Lydia McFarlane / Villanovan Photography

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 3

NEWS

Community Reflects on the End of Fall Semester

allow some students to try new things academically. Vukel is excitZoe Garrett ed to progress in her studies as a Staff Writer nursing student.

“I am looking forward to starting my new clinical rotations Continued from p. 1. for nursing next semester,” she semester was getting to live with shared. my roommates. They are my best As the fall semester comes friends, and it was so fun to spend to a close, many students feel a a lot of time with them living on sense of achievement, thankfulWest.” ness, and nostalgia.

Many students are lookWhen reflecting on these ing forward to the beginning of a past months, remember the victonew semester and all that comes ries, both big and small, you have with the fresh start: new year’s achieved, the new friendships you resolutions, different classes, and a have forged and the growth you general change of pace as the end have accomplished in your coursof the school year starts to become es. January promises the onset of within reach. more adventures, learning and “I am so excited for spring fun: all hallmarks of a successful on campus,” Taranto said. “I can’t school year. wait for warm weather so I can As students juggle end of spend more time outside hanging the semester social obligations, out with friends.” classes, final exams, group projMany freshmen, as they ects, presentations and final paround out their first year at colpers, they look forward to the end lege, look forward to continuing to of the semester and the sense of experience new things on campus. calm and relaxation that the win“Next semester, I’m looking ter break will bring. forward to meeting more people Home cooked food, and getting more comfortable on no homework, and a lack of campus,” Chang said. “Now that school-related obligations have it’s been a little while, I feel way students racing to the end of the more settled into college life, so semester while trying to savor the now I am excited to branch out end of the year with their friends. and get more involved around Students will enjoy the end of secampus.” mester Christmas and social events The next semester will also amidst the stress.

As the semester comes to a close, students look ahead to winter break.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography.

Students Share Their Thoughts on Finals Lauren Armstrong Staff Writer As the end of the semester approaches, and it becomes harder and harder to find a place to study and do work, students are working hard to push through the last days of the fall semester.

“I cannot believe how quickly this semester flew by,” sophomore Betty Dorsey said. “I feel like just a minute ago it was move-in, and now, being almost halfway done with college feels surreal.”

As the daylight gets shorter, students are staying up later than ever with increased amounts of work and finals to begin preparing for.

“Within the next week I have a combination of four group projects and multiple exams,” Nadia Balduf said. “Between my core classes taking up a lot of my time, the classes for my major are also assigning more and more work.

It is hard deciding which classes and assignments to prioritize over others.”

Finals week will take place from Dec. 13 until Dec. 19, with the only break being Sunday, Dec. 17.

While many students have online exams or papers instead, others, such as Kara McGoldrick, have exams until the very end.

“My least favorite part of the semester is having to say goodbye to my friends for long periods at a time while also trying to stay focused and prepare for finals,” McGoldrick said.

However, with finals also comes the enjoyment of winter

break. Whether students are traveling or seeing friends and family, winter break is a commonly looked forward to event throughout the semester. “[I’m] excited to go home and see my family,” sophomore Claire Gaza said. “My older brother goes to a different university so it is great to all be back home together for the month off.”

Students start moving back into Villanova as early as Jan. 9.

“I come back early to help my sorority through primary recruitment,” Gaza said. “While I am excited to spend time with family at home, I am also looking forward to coming back to campus and being with my friends to finish off the year.”

While some students feel sad about the end of the semester, others, such as Ryan Levey, are excited for what is left to come.

“I am really looking forward to the first real Wells game of the semester on December 9th,” Levey said. “I love taking the train into Philadelphia to support our team.”

Quinn Burrough agreed.

“While I am sad to go home for a month without my friends from school, I am excited for the time we have left this semester,” Burrough said. “I am eager to go to Wells Fargo, as well as celebrate the holidays with my close friends before heading home.

I know that as soon as we come back in January we will jump in right where we left off.”

Students from all over the country are excited to get to see their friends from back home and from high school.

“I am excited to head home and see my friends who go to school around the country,” Dorsey said. “I have friends spanning from Michigan to Georgia and it is so amazing to get to reconnect and share all our stories from the semester apart. I am also

very excited to see my younger sister who is still in high school.”

No matter your plans for winter break, we wish you a safe travels and a healthy and happy holiday season. We cannot wait to see everyone back on campus in a few weeks for the spring semester.

Students study in the Falvey library to prepare for finals.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photogrphy.

4 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

NEWS

Armenian Students Organization Hosts Teach-In Isabella Balian Staff Writer As one reads this, thousands of ethnic Armenians are fleeing their homes. News reports claim that the Artsakh territory will cease to exist a year from now, as indigenous Armenians leave their homeland. Villanova is home to a respectable Armenian population, filled with students passionate about preserving their culture, history and identity.

In an effort to spread awareness and cultivate a level of knowledge surrounding this ethnic conflict, Villanova’s Armenian Students hosted a teach-in, on December 5, on the happenings in Artsakh. The Teach-In was sponsored by the Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies, the Center for Peace and Justice Education, the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies and the Student Government Association. Students also spread the word to a variety of academic departments like the Political Science Department and the History Department, as well as academic centers on campus.

Professor Samer Abboud played an influential role in helping the Armenian students organize this teach-in. As an Associate Professor of Global Interdisciplinary Studies and Director of the Center for Arab and Islamic Studies, Abboud has hosted

successful educational events and teach-ins in the past that paved the way for this one.

“We are hoping that this teach-in helps Villanovans develop a deeper understanding of the crisis through reference to the historical context as well as the immediate on-the-ground situation that many people are experiencing today,” Abboud said. “The teach-in will help Villanovans identify key questions and issues to think about as they pursue a deeper understanding of the crisis in Armenia and Artsakh.”

The teach-in featured three expert panelists specializing in Armenian history, humanitarian development and advocacy. Students coordinated with members of the greater Philadelphia community and beyond to pick advocates who could provide insight on the topic. The speakers included Khatchig Mouradian, Christine Momjian and Dr. Mark Schrad. At the beginning of the event, the leaders of the Armenian Students Organization, Taleen Postian and Isabella Balian, delivered the opening remarks.

Mouradian serves as a lecturer at Columbia University specializing in Middle Eastern, South Asian and Africana Studies. He also serves as an Armenian and Georgian Area Studies Specialist at the Library of Congress. In 2021, Mouradian won an Honorable Mention Award for his book, The Resistance Network: The

Armenian Genocide and Humanitarianism in Ottoman Syria, 1915-1918.

Other work of Mouradian’s covers civil war, ethnic cleansing, concentration camps, unarmed resistance, the aftermath of mass violence, midwifery in the Middle East and approaches to teaching history.

Momjian, a member of the larger Philadelphia Armenian community, served on the panel to contribute to the real-life experiences of refugees facing displacement. Momjian has served for the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), whose mission is to serve the physical and spiritual needs of people both at home and overseas. Over the past few years, AMAA has been committed to meeting the humanitarian needs of Armenians in Artsakh. Their programs reach families in Artsakh who choose to remain in their homeland or migrate to Armenia.

The last panelist, Mark Schrad, serves as a professor in Villanova’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Schrad specializes in Comparative Politics & International Relations regarding Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe & Former Soviet Union, International Organizations, International Law, Cold War, Communism and Post-Communism.

From a non-Armenian perspective, Schrad was able to contribute to the panel and describe aspects of history and build-up to the present humanitarian crisis. The organiz-

ers aimed to educate the Villanova community on this often-overlooked conflict and bring awareness and empathy to this issue.

“The conflict and humanitarian crisis in Artsakh today have a historical trajectory that is too often ignored in the brief reporting that appears in Western media,” Abboud said. “Like most other crises around the world, the situation in Armenia and Artsakh is presented in mostly sensational terms and appears on our collective radars for a moment before disappearing.”

“Though the teach-in centered on the Artsakh war, ethnic cleansing against Armenian people and their culture, and the resulting current refugee crisis, the conversations and questions covered are relevant to other current and future international conflicts and crises,” Postian said.

Postian also spoke to the importance of listening to perspectives.

“Listening to the stories of refugees fleeing Artsakh will make you more compassionate towards other struggles of migrants,” Postian said.

“These issues are both extremely local and universal and that is why this event was curated for non-Armenians to attend and learn.”

Villanova’s Armenian Students are hopeful that attendees were able to gain a deeper knowledge of the humanitarian crisis and spread awareness beyond this event.

Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month of Indigenous culture at Villanova. With N.I.S.A., we hope to provide students with a safe space to discuss the experience of Native Throughout the month of and Indigenous Villanovans while November, Villanova celebrated actively celebrating and educating Native American Heritage Month. our peers.”

It was a time to recognize VillanoCoard was happy with va’s Native American and Indigewhat the symposium accomnous students and alumni. plished.“The goal of the sympoThere were various insium was to celebrate Indigenous formative and celebratory events and Native American history held on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The month with the Villanova commuNative American and Indigenous nity and amplify Native voices,” Heritage Month Symposium was Coard said. “I think the sympoheld from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the sium went great and it’s only a Villanova Room in the Connelly start to highlighting what IndigCenter. This was an opportunity enous people on other campuses, for all members of the Villanova and our own have been trying to community to hear from student establish for quite some time now. and alumni speakers, witness … NISA aims to improve the exdemonstrations and eat cultural perience of Indigenous and Native foods to learn about indigenous students by honoring, educating, culture. and celebrating the diverse expeAt 5:00 p.m. on the 28th, riences, culture and traditions of there was a student panel faciliIndigenous people.” tated by Jules Jackson, a Villanova During her time at Vilalum. The panel featured the three lanova University as a student, founders of the Native Indigenous Jackson shared that she was the Student Association (NISA): Meg only Native American and IndigeMartin, Autumn Coard and Monous student. Although she remidonna Kongal. They discussed a nisced about feelings of isolation multitude of issues, including each during her time at Villanova, she of their experiences being one of courageously started the Native eight indigenous students at Villa- American Students Association nova, embracing intersectionality (NASA). Jackson talked about how and the importance of raising fortunate the student panelists are awareness about their culture. for having other students of the “Our NAHM Symposium Native American and Indigenous was a space for Villanova to accommunities to bond with. knowledge the presence of indigeHowever, Jackson and the nous students on campus,” Kongol student panelists agreed that much said. “The event was a beautimore work needs to be done to adful way to showcase the diverse vocate for the inclusion of Native groups of Native and Indigenous American and Indigenous students students on campus and was cruat Villanova on campus. They cial in paving a new understanding acknowledged that an important Dean Millard Staff Writer

component to achieving this goal is recruiting and accepting more Native American and Indigenous students.

The student panel portion of the symposium was well attended by Villanova students from all classes, faculty members and administrators. Members of the Native American and Indigenous Heritage outside of Villanova were also in attendance. At the front of the Villanova Room, a wide range of artwork created by people of different Native American and Indigenous tribes was featured.

At the end of the student panel discussion, student attendees were given the opportunity to ask the student panelists questions about their experiences, upbringing, and advocacy at Villanova.

They responded by talking about their different tribes and provided additional information about

NISA.

Overall, the events and panel discussion generated important dialogue about members of the Villanova University community who are of Native American and Indigenous Heritage. They created a platform for Native American and Indigenous students at Villanova and their heritage to be celebrated, while also looking forward and questioning how to improve these experiences for more Native American and Indigenous Students.

Moving forward, Jackson and the student panelists are eager to continue representing the Native American and Indigenous Heritage on and off Villanova’s campus. They are optimistic that they will make positive strides to help the university community be more well-informed about their background.

Speakers sharing at the Native American Heritage Month Symposium in the Connelly Center.

Courtesy of Dean Millard

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 5

NEWS

Pastoral Musicians to Host Annual Christmas Concert concert after hard work within the group.

“Contrary to what many may think, programming a concert rarely starts with the music,” McElAngels may be heard in the wee said. “As Pastoral Musicians, St. Thomas of Villanova Church on our role is to accompany our listenWednesday, Dec. 6 at 7:00 p.m. ers. These are real people with real The Villanova Pastoral Musicians experiences and real struggles, joys (VPM) will be performing its annual and hopes. Sure, a holiday concert holiday concert. The office for mis- could include familiar carols, but if sion and ministry is also helping out a university’s sacred music ensemble with the event. This year’s theme is is only focusing on the anticipated Peace on Earth. joys of the season, we’re missing the The group is composed of point of experiencing the holidays about 60 singers and musicians. as part of a real, lived experience in This includes all four singing parts, time and history.” soprano, alto, tenor and bass, as well McElwee teaches the Pasas instruments such as violins, harps, toral Musicians to not only love pianos and even trumpets. performing music for others, but The Pastoral Musicians to understand the meaning behind practice once a week throughout spreading Christmas joy. It does not the year to provide music for weekly always have to be familiar tunes to Catholic masses and special events get people in the Christmas spirit. such as Baccalaureate Mass. The VPM has been prepping for group even sang in the Vatican last the concert since October and canyear during spring break. Despite its not wait to show off its musical skills. busy schedule, VPM is still looking Katie Tuberosa, a junior soprano forward to its annual concert. singer, has loved the group for the The pieces that will be per- past three years. However, this will formed include sad pieces such as be her first holiday concert.

Prayer of the Children and familiar “I’m thrilled to be a part of tunes such as Do You Hear What I my first holiday concert with the Hear?

Pastoral Musicians,” Tuberosa said.

Sean McElwee has been “We’ve been working since early the director of the group for seven October on pieces such as Christyears. He has grown fond of the mas classics, religious songs, a captalented musicians and is looking pella pieces and instrumental hymns forward to the success of this year’s all surrounding our theme of Peace Loghan Hirkey Staff Writer

on Earth.”

McElwee understands the excitement for VPM to provide holiday music.

“We all want the magical experience of Christmas,” McElwee said. “If we don’t respond in action to the gift of God, we’re keeping the treasure for ourselves. Christmas gives us the example that we are to share these gifts with the world.”

Fifteen pieces will be performed at the concert. Although some of them will not be recognizable, they all hold a special meaning to each musician in the group.

Sophomore Michael Ferlisi claimed his favorite piece to be an unrecognizable one.

“I would have to say my

favorite piece is My Lord Had Come,” Ferlisi said. “I really think it captures the meaning and feeling of Christmas as a joyous but also thoughtful time.”

McElwee also shared the meaning behind the title of this year’s holiday concert.

“Through sacred and secular choral and instrumental music, the Pastoral Musicians will invite listeners to consider the presence and absence of peace in our world during the holiday season,” he said.

“It will also invite others to consider what role hope must play as we journey towards Christmastime together.”

The event is welcome to anyone and free to the public.

The Villanova Pastoral Musicians will be performing this Wednesday.

Lydia McFarlane/Villanovan Photography

Center for Irish Studies Hosts Women Writers Event Srihi Surapaneni Staff Writer On Tuesday, Nov. 28th, the Center for Irish Studies hosted the event “A New Chapter: Women Writing Northern Ireland Now,” featuring a panel of authors Lucy Caldwell, Jan Carson and Michelle Gallen, moderated by author Yvonne Cassidy.

Helen Nolan, the Consul General of Ireland in New York, started the event. She noted the importance of looking at the progress made for Northern Ireland “through the prism of culture and literature,” highlighting the event’s goal.

Each author was then invited to speak about their latest work and read an excerpt from them. Caldwell, who is from Belfast, began by speaking about the influence of the 2015 equal marriage referendum, which caused her to ask, “Where are the stories of the young women in love?” As someone “trying to tell stories you might not expect,” Caldwell combined women’s new roles with the idea of women in love in her novel, These Days. The novel is centered around two sisters during the Belfast Blitz, one of which is a first aid volunteer in love with another woman. Caldwell’s excerpt illustrated their emerging relationship, but also the heartbreaking understanding that they are unable to truly be together.

Carson’s novel, The Raptures, is set in 1993 in a village resembling Ballymena, the Northern Ireland town where Carson was raised. The story features Hannah, a young girl living in a fundamentalist Protestant household. Though The Raptures is a rather dark horror, Carson says the story is actually

“quite funny.” Carson’s chosen section describes Hannah’s inability to find answers to her developing questions and highlights a child’s perspective on the violence of The Troubles.

Gallen’s novel Factory Girls features three girls who take on factory jobs in the summer of 1994 while waiting on their university entrance exam results. The excerpt portrays one of the girls, Maeve, leading the other students in a sort of rebellion against an English band who come to their school to perform cliche songs about peace.

The next portion of the event focused on the backgrounds of the authors, as women who grew up during The Troubles. Like her protagonist, Carson grew up in a strict but apolitical Protestant household.

“We didn’t vote in our house, we didn’t get involved in politics or the world in any way,” Carson said, speaking on how she was raised to be somewhat sheltered from outside perspectives.

She credited arts and culture with starting her journey of awareness.

Caldwell, born to both an Irish Protestant father and an English Catholic mother, spoke about how in a nation still maintaining aspects of segregation, there is a constant desire to classify people, including her. The Good Friday Agreement allowed her to embrace both sides of her identity but this doesn’t tell the whole story about her.

“My whole thing has always been about complicating the picture, complicating the narrative,” she said.

Gallen spoke about the lack of optimism in her community after the Agreement due to the harsh

violence and underdevelopment they had been facing for years. However, she believes things really have changed for the better, after all.

“It’s so much nicer when people aren’t getting blown up,” Gallen said.

Following this, the authors were asked about the intergenerational mother-daughter experience in their novels, and how they each used it as a device to show what had changed for women and what hadn’t.

Caldwell spoke to the generational disconnect between mothers and their daughters, demonstrated by conflict in her novel between Emma and her disapproving mother.

Gallen spoke about one of her previous works, Big Girl, Small Town, in which the protagonist Majella is unable to understand her opioid addicted mother’s past of abuse and her grief at the loss of her husband, an IRA soldier.

Carson noted how in Factory Girls, Maeve’s mother was forced to leave university during the civil rights movement, and Maeve is unable to understand her anger. Carson highlights what women were able to achieve, what they did achieve, and

“what you were able to achieve if you didn’t use contraceptives.”

Each author then gave out valuable advice for any potential writers in the audience. Gallen’s was simple: don’t quit writing, quit everything else. Caldwell urged the audience to remember that everyone has a “treasure trove of stories,” that only they can tell, and to not disavow these in favor of trying to imitate others. Carson reminded the audience that the world isn’t waiting to hear the story, so stories won’t get written unless there is self-motivation and writers overcome their fears of writing a terrible first draft.

The event concluded with an audience Q&A which featured questions about how the authors knew that writing was their passion and purpose, why Carson hates writing female characters and how to balance not getting too attached to a draft while still keeping it personal.

Ultimately, this panel was a remarkable opportunity for students to gain insights into the complex cultural and historical influences behind literature giving a voice to an often overlooked and underepresented community.

The Center for Irish Studies hosted an event at the Mullen Center.

Lydia McFarlane/Villanovan Photography

6 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

OPINION

OPINION

First Semester Freshman Year Recap Sofia Quaglia Staff Writer Exams. Parties. Dorm decor.

Basketball. Rick Ross? When this year’s freshman class committed to Villanova, these were a few of the things they were also committing to, whether they knew it at the time or not. There are a few things that are universal from one college experience to another.

Most college students can relate to the feeling of having as much fun on “Halloweekend” as possible before they have to turn around and try not to cry while taking their theology midterm on Halloween. Just me?

However, there are some experiences that are just reserved for the lucky students who attend this wonderful institution.

One of these experiences is having to read St. Augustine’s “The Confessions.” I personally will never forget the feeling of pure laughter that took over me when I read the title of one of his chapters: “Student Life: Sex and Shows.” I’m not sure that there is a better way to sum up the Villanova freshman experience than a joke from Augustine himself. When most people enter college, one of the only things they have to compare it to is the movies and TV shows they have seen. I will be the first to admit that I fully expected college to be like “Pitch Perfect,” and I was not all that wrong.

That might be because, similarly to Becca, I also like to sing quietly in the communal showers. It could also be because my roommate just so happens to be in one of the a

Freshman Sofia Quaglia shares her thoughts on her first semester at Villanova University.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

cappella groups on campus (shoutout to Measure Up). Based on that alone, I will say that, yes, Villanova is exactly what I expected college to be.

In the spirit of being honest, I will also admit that there were times that this first semester was a lot harder than I expected it to be. Failing your first exam in college is a wild experience that makes you question if you are smart enough to accomplish anything. You are smart enough, just take a nap and do better next time.

For many students, it’s also very hard to be away from your family for the first time. It’s okay to cry because you miss your parents. It doesn’t mean that you’re not enjoying college.

It is definitely a struggle to transition into the new college life, but once you get there, it is so worth it.

There were also plenty of

experiences that I never expected to have. I could talk about the joy that overtakes one’s soul when they consume late-night mac and cheese, but shockingly enough, it was not the food here that truly made this semester special. The classes I took this semester and the wonderful professors I had exceeded every expectation I came in with.

I was lucky enough to get to have the Villanova Honors experience that is Anna Moreland’s dating workshop this semester, and let me tell you, nothing ever could have prepared me for what was the most hilarious and awkward hour of my life. On top of academics, I never could have imagined meeting people as amazing as the ones I have met here in the last few months.

People always talk about how

they met some of their lifelong best friends in college, so when you get here, you hope that you can experience that, too. Just one semester at Villanova introduced me to some of the best people I have ever met, and I do truly hope that they will be lifelong best friends. I asked a few of these wonderful people about their first semester here, and they all agreed that it was an interesting, but great, experience.

“It hasn’t been as I expected in the way that I made really close connections a lot faster than I thought I would in college,” freshman Emily Walsh said. This is a fear that many college freshmen share, but, luckily, this semester surpassed all expectations.

“Oh, yeah, I loved it,” freshman Kaitlyn Walker said, when asked how she felt about her first semester. “[It was great] until I had to come back after Thanksgiving.”

Walker admitted, which is absolutely not an unpopular opinion among students here, especially freshmen who are experiencing it for the first time. I think it’s hard to put into exact words what the transition between high school and college looks like.

It’s different for everyone, and while I am not sure if this semester matches up perfectly with what I thought college might look like, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the past few months. I can say with absolute certainty that this is the place I am meant to be. So, thank you, Villanova, for giving me a great first semester of college. I can’t wait to do it seven more times.

A Call for More Dining Hall Appreciation Juliana Burke Staff Writer Often, we find ourselves in a rush and are unable to slow down and truly appreciate the small (and large) conveniences that greatly assist us students in boosting our quality of living. One of the greatest commodities at Villanova University are the dining halls, and no, not just for their chocolate bread pudding.

Upon entering the various dining halls throughout campus, students are greeted by smiling employees who work tirelessly to ensure that the Villanova dining experience is delicious, clean and enjoyable.

There are limitless options consistently being restocked and monitored by attentive staff members, with numerous dietary restrictions being taken into careful consideration.

If you’re a student with Celiacs, there is a dedicated gluten-free pasta station available with numerous topping and sauce options. If you’re a student who is coming back from a difficult sports practice or lift at the Davis Fitness Center, there is a self-serve line of healthy grains and proteins to ensure all students have access to proper nutrition.

If you’re a student who is

having a bad day, the Friday night ice cream bar can certainly help with that. All of this is to say that regardless of your restrictions, preferences and nutritional goals, there is a wonderful dish awaiting you in Villanova’s dining halls.

Another area of excellence in the dining hall is the focus on sanitization to ensure the health and safety of all students. Regardless of the time of day or occupancy, you will surely witness a dining hall employee wiping off the tables, sweeping the floors and even organizing the fruit in an aesthetic fashion.

The commitment to cleanliness allows for the dining halls to be true places of “Communitas,” with students gathering at all hours of the day to share meals.

Additionally, the hours that the dining hall boasts are a colossal part of their appeal. At Donahue Court, you can enjoy your breakfast as early as 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m., your lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., your dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and even a late night meal from 9 p.m. through 1 a.m. It is safe to say that at a Villanova dining hall, no matter the day or hour, there is something for everybody.

Lastly, perhaps the greatest part of the Villanova dining experience are the workers. Whether it be serving your meal with a smile,

asking how your classes are going, or assisting you when you just can’t figure out how to work the coffee machine, the dining hall experience is always a positive one.

When I enter the dining hall, regardless of my schedule or priorities for that particular day, I know I am entering a space of positivity and kindness. Many members of the Blue Key Club, a group of students that serve as tour guides for potential future undergraduates, make sure to bring their prospects to the dining halls so they can see Augustinian values in action.

Many other students share these positive sentiments about Villanova’s dining halls.

“The energy of the [dining

halls] are unmatched,” freshman Alexa Blankenstein said. “It is truly a wonderful experience from start to finish. As a vegetarian, it is so comforting to know that there are countless delicious options to ensure I am nourished and prepared for my day.”

Next time you find yourself in a Villanova dining hall, make sure to appreciate the endless ways in which it makes life as a university student so much more special.

Through the art of noticing the people and places that work tirelessly to serve the student body, we will become more grateful for the wonderful environments that foster the values of “Veritas, Unitas and Caritas.”

Students should be more appreciative of Villanova’s dining halls and their staff.

Bella Irwin/Villanovan Photography

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 7

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

The Villanovan encourages all members of the Villanova community to voice their opinions. LetVIVI MELKONIAN Editor-in-Chief ters to the editors may be submitted via e-mail to villanovan.eic@gmail.com. Letters must not MATT RYAN Associate Editor-in-Chief exceed 500 words and must be signed. No anonymous letters will be published. All submissions beJACKIE THOMAS Opinion Editor come property of The Villanovan and are subject BELLA IRWIN Opinion Editor to editing for clarity and space.

COLIN BEAZLEY Editor-in-Chief

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.

Don’t Judge My Spotify Wrapped Zoe Kim Staff Writer This year, I learned that I listened to 62 hours of “White Noise for Three Hour Long Sleep.” For anyone looking for quality sleep, I would recommend streaming and downloading three hours of a whirring fan and the hum of an air conditioner. But for others who are looking to share their yearly Spotify Wrapped, I would be wary of all and any interaction with it.

For those who are unfamiliar, Spotify Wrapped is the endof-the-year roundup of Spotify users’ favorite artists and songs.

This year, Spotify gave listeners a city that objectified their tastes in genre and artist. Cleverly called “Sound Town,” Spotify paired its listeners with 1,300 cities in the world. Last year, Spotify gifted its listeners with listening auras.

This year, popular artists I have seen appear on people’s lists are Taylor Swift, SZA, Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber and Harry Styles. As a Spotify user, whose top-listened to songs are not within this popular lineup, there is a pressure to defend the choices of what I listen to.

There is this push for college-aged gen-zers to have certain tastes in genre and artists: one should either listen to songs in the top-50 charts or listen to indie artists who have under 1,000 streams.

Students share their thoughts on the yearly Spotify Wrapped.

Bella Irwin/Villanovan Photography

Screenshots of Spotify Wrapped are a humblebrag that you are one of these two listeners.

“I didn’t share it on social media because I did not see the need,” senior Maggie Winston said. “I did share with friends and siblings, though. And we laughed at how unoriginal our tastes were.”

This phenomena of Spotify Wrapped subverts individualist taste. Everyone is different, so everyone’s taste in music and culture should be different. No one is basic or “cheugy” because they only listen to Taylor Swift or Drake. No one is “indie” or “hipster” because

they only listen to The Neighbourhood and boygenius. No one is sophisticated because they only listen to Beethoven or Mozart, either.

These preferences and tastes are trivial and do not shape your identity. Today, there are listeners who are not loyal to only one genre. One can listen to pop, country, rock and indie. There are no strict instructions of what you can and cannot listen to.

Yet, a person’s taste in certain genres and artists generates stereotypes about their listener, which defeat music’s very purpose.

No one is immune to these percep-

tions. As a society, we have agreed that genre is a trustworthy indicator of sexuality, character and who you voted for in the 2020 election.

I am not saying that Spotify Wrapped is responsible for these stereotypes, but the yearly roundup does encourage them. In the past week, I have heard more assumptions of country music and pop-lovers than I have this whole year.

This stereotyping subverts the work of an artist. The social response to rap was just one example of this. Older generations saw rap and hip-hop as violent and dangerous for young listeners, calling for its ban.

Yet, rappers were telling profound and necessary narratives of their own struggles. Kendrick Lamar, for example, released “To Pimp a Butterfly” which discussed the Black struggle in capitalist America. When we pigeonhole an artist and their genre, we bypass the opportunity to learn and understand their story.

I thought of a Rolling Stone interview where Harry Styles famously said, “Who’s to say that young girls who like pop music— short for popular, right?— have worse taste than a 30-year-old hipster guy? That’s not up for you to say.”

We should let everyone enjoy what they enjoy. Similarly, we should not judge anyone for sharing or not sharing their Wrapped.

So listen to what you want and be proud of your Wrapped. It’s yours.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Clothes: The Wildcat Thrift Kayla Verga Staff Writer As college students, we have so many clothes in our closets that just sit there, collecting dust. Picture that piece of clothing that may not fit your style anymore, or the one that you always look at and think “hmmmm nope, why did I buy this?”

Now, what if you could not only make money off of that piece of clothing, but you could also shop for new clothes you would actually wear.

To top it all off, you never have to leave your own campus, a whole thrift store basically in your backyard.

On Nov. 17, the Fall Wildcat Thrift was held at the Oreo. The Wildcat Thrift occurs every semester, set up by the Villanova Student Sustainability Committee, in order to emphasize the environmental benefits of reusing pre-loved or unused clothing and supporting a circular economy.

The Wildcat Thrift hosts multiple student sellers set up with tables,

allowing students to come and go as they walk to and from class or wander around campus.

I had so much fun participating in this event and thought it was an extremely effective way to limit clothing waste and promote student involvement. Furthermore, the idea of a thrift will grab a lot of people’s attention because of how popular thrifting is as a trend.

In recent years, it has become a hobby for many who hope to find vintage, one-of-a-kind looks that often can’t be found in retail stores. People want to be a part of the latest trends and brands, but that can be expensive, so a student run thrift is a great opportunity to do so at minimal cost.

“I happen[ed] to run upon the Wildcat thrift on the way back from my Friday class,” senior and Wildcat-Thrift shopper Julianna Rigoglioso said. “I saw people I knew as vendors and the different racks caught my attention to walk over. I thought it was such a cool idea and all the clothes were so fashionable. I

would have wished they advertised more, for I would love to get involved and have my own booth next time.”

This year, the Wildcat Thrift gained a lot of traction from people who were passing through the busiest part of campus. However, I still felt that more could have been done to promote the event to students.

As I told people about the event, everyone thought it was a great idea and immediately wanted to get involved, but not a lot of people knew that it was happening.

In the future, the Sustainability Committee should consider reaching out to sororities or other clubs to spread the Wildcat Thrift message and attract even more sellers.

These would be the perfect events to sell old dresses, costumes or to fundraise for individual philanthropies like Chi Omega did for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The more sellers there are, the more students will come, and the more fashionable pieces will be recycled and sold.

Students gather at the Villanova Student Sustainability Committee’s Wildcat Thrift.

Maggie Logler/Villanovan Photography

8 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

OPINION

The Oxford Comma: A Form of Grammatical Divinity tion.

Avery Chalk Staff Writer Unlike me, you might not worship at the feet of grammatical divinity. Maybe you’ve never even heard of the Oxford comma. But I have. And I relish it.

For context, let’s define the Oxford comma. In the words of Mr. Merriam-Webster himself, it is “a comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items, before ‘and’ or ‘or.’”

In simple terms, the comma adds a layer of separation between the last item of a list and the rest of the sentence. For example, writing “Villanova is beautiful, academically rigorous, and has a good basketball team,” utilizes the Oxford comma.

The Oxford comma became increasingly popular after the 20th century, when the Oxford University Press updated its style guidelines, giving it its name. Since then, it has garnered the support of the masses. Particularly, the Oxford comma presents itself in everyday, non-academic use.

Technically speaking, the Oxford comma isn’t grammatically correct. Yet, it’s not grammatically incorrect, either. It exists in a strange, metaphysical, universe known as “grammatically optional.”

In other words, the comma won’t fly in most journalistic pub-

Villanovan Avery Chalk questions why we don’t use the Oxford comma.

Courtesy of oddharmonic/Creative Commons

lications and formal documents.

Still, you won’t be arrested if you choose to add it to a personal piece of writing.

Many news outlets refrain from using the Oxford comma for continuity’s sake. In a mosaic of news articles with multiple contributing authors, overarching grammatical rules bring a sense of connection to the publication.

A common set of guidelines is not uncommon within the field of journalism, even The Villanovan has sets of rules for its writers to follow. For example, Copy Desk prohibits exclamation marks and the use of italics, among other dos and don’ts.

So then, why not have

everyone use the Oxford comma?

It would still be consistent across the board, and arguably more fluid to read. One theory is that it might bring a level of informality. Because it is not “grammatically-correct,” the Oxford comma doesn’t possess the high level of sophistication that publications typically strive for.

Society tends to adhere to tradition and accepted norms, and it’s easier to resist change than to embrace it. While the Oxford comma might become more universally accepted in the future, only time will truly tell. Another theory exists strictly through a historical lens, specifically, the former financial burden of unnecessary punctua-

While printing fees have drastically reduced with the influx of digital media, original revolutionary era newspapers paid per character. If pieces of punctuation weren’t necessary to being grammatically correct, printing companies would simply omit them from ink.

This same reasoning applies to spelling inconsistencies between British, Canadian and American English. The spelling of words such as “colour” and “travelling” vary intercontinentally because expendable letters were dropped in America’s infancy. Maybe the Oxford comma met the same fate.

Whatever the reason for the Oxford comma’s lack of universal acceptance, I implore Villanova students to continue using it as they see fit. Through essays, emails and even newspaper articles, Villanova should remain Oxford-comma sympathizers.

And with that, I leave this note to the wonderful staff members of Copy Desk: I will fully continue to lead the Oxford comma charge, no matter how often you edit them out of my articles.

While my beloved comma might never see the light of day in The Villanovan (including this very article), it will forever remain important to me. One day, I hope to change the social stigma surrounding my favorite piece of punctuation, and you’ll be the first to know.

A Guide on How to Handle Holiday Conversations Kailey Fahy Staff Writer Picture this: you have just returned home from finals. After a long semester, you are ready to enjoy a home-cooked meal with those who you love most.

You are sitting at the table, fork in hand, ready to take the first bite, when, all of a sudden, someone hits you with one of those dreaded conversation topics.

These subjects vary from person to person, but most of these discussions surround topics like one’s romantic life, post-grad plans, college weight gain, politics and more.

In my experience, these awkward conversation starters come from a place of genuine curiosity and interest in one’s life.

Family members or old friends may see themselves posing these questions as a way to learn more about you and your life.

Others however, are unaware of personal boundaries or will intentionally ask questions to provoke people. Whatever their motives are, it is best to go into these interactions with strategies in your back pocket on how to respond when they inevitably come up.

There are multiple routes you can take when someone makes a comment about your weight.

Sometimes the best course of action is to not reply at all, and instead just stare blankly at the person who made the remark.

This awkward silence will likely make the commenter feel just as uncomfortable as their statement made you feel. However, sometimes these barbs will be presented more gently, with people noting how “different” you look.

When people disguise their judgements like this, it is best to respond by asking what they said or if they could repeat themselves.

When these people have to reflect on what they said before and then repeat it, they will typically realize how their comment came across as condescending and will backtrack.

Another topic family members, especially those a part of older generations, enjoy discussing during holidays is a college student’s love life. These questions come from the fact that older family members got married so young, typically around the age of college students.

There is a disconnect between them and the fact that students just may not want to be in a relationship during their collegiate years. The best course of action for this scenario is to explain how college is a time to get to know yourself. It is a time for you to explore your interests and expand your horizons.

Another way to address this is to acknowledge that while you would ultimately like a partner, the treatment you have received from potential candidates has been terrible and not worth your time.

With this approach you are indicating to the people posing

Kailey Fahy advises students on how to handle tough conversations during holidays.

Bella Irwin/Villanovan Photography

this question that you have at least attempted to have a love life.

One final scenario to consider is when people inquire about your major or post-grad plans. This conversation can be awkward, particularly when you’re undecided or haven’t secured any post-grad jobs yet. Responding to such inquiries can be challenging because, in most cases, people are not trying to make you uncomfortable.

They are either being polite or genuinely interested in your life. Most adults respond with a bit of a judgemental stare if you say you are still “figuring things out.”

So, the best course of action in this scenario may just be to make stuff up.

If you do not have any

jobs lined up yet, tell these people you are considering getting your masters or attending law school.

At least this response will fend off these inquirers until next holiday season.

While these scenarios do not cover all the possible uncomfortable topics of conversation that may arise at the dinner table during holidays, they do cover some general ones. And members of the Villanova community returning home for the holidays have just achieved a great feat: making it through finals week.

This completion of finals marks the culmination of the semester. This is something that should be celebrated and not overshadowed by awkward questions by out-of-touch family members.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 9

OPINION

Give Meaningful, Lasting Gifts This Christmas Srihi Surapaneni Staff Writer As Christmas quickly approaches, people begin to get excited thinking about what’s coming their way. But figuring out the perfect gifts to buy their friends and family members is a whole different, and sometimes stressful, story.

Popular and viral gifts this year include UGG Tasman slippers, Stanley water bottles, skin care products from brands like The Ordinary or Glossier and Lululemon clothing.

And, of course, there are the usual gifts that are popular each year, like Apple electronics (especially the Apple Watch and AirPods) TVs and random but trendy items from Amazon gift-giving lists. This is for good reason, as these products are highly rated by consumers and many are useful in everyday life.

During the Christmas season, people devote a large amount of money into buying gifts for their loved ones. With online shopping making all types of products easily available, this trend shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. According to data collected from a poll conducted

by Statista, Americans are expected to spend an average of $923 this year on gift shopping alone.

But, when trying to find the perfect gift to give someone, it’s important to remember not to be easily influenced by the internet and social media. Considering that social networks like TikTok and Instagram now promote the option to buy directly through their platforms, combined with the vast number of companies advertising on social media and influencers constantly promoting

Christmas is a time for heartfelt and long-lasting gifts.

Bella Irwin/Villanovan Photography

products, it can be a little overwhelming trying to pick out the perfect gift for someone. A Shopify study found that 48% of Gen Z Christmas shoppers are planning to do at least some gift shopping through social media, emphasizing its important new role in Christmas shopping.

One option for Christmas shoppers that is more readily available than ever before, thanks to the rise of websites like Etsy, is personalized gifts. Some examples of these include home decor emblazoned with the name of the recipient, birth stone or birth flower-themed jewelry and everyday items decorated to commemorate special life events like weddings and first Christmases.

Personalized gift giving is on the rise. Buying a friend or family member a personalized gift is typically seen by the recipient as very thoughtful, as it demonstrates a personal

interest in them.

“A personalized gift would show how much effort they put into finding the perfect thing,” freshman Medha Tomar said.

Additionally, it doesn’t just feel good for the person receiving the gift, but it also makes the gift-giver feel more satisfied because of the heartfelt nature of the gift.

While personalized gifts can be more expensive from online retailers like Uncommon Goods and Etsy, prioritizing quality over quantity can be of some help. When it comes to personalized gifts, it could be helpful to go with one or two smaller gifts that still demonstrate thoughtfulness without draining your bank account.

Another possibility is to give a homemade gift, especially when someone has the skills to do so.

Homemade gifts could include items like crocheted scarves and sweaters or

decorative paintings.

This holiday season, it’s also important to try to avoid buying from fast fashion brands whenever possible.

Thanks to social media advertising, fast fashion and highly unsustainable brands are more popular than ever and seemingly everywhere we look.

Of course, every brand has problems and none of them are perfect, but trying to find those that are less harmful is beneficial not just for the planet, but for the gift recipient, as well.

While fast fashion brands like Shein and YesStyle may seem like they have the perfect clothes at dream prices, it’s often too good to be true, and these clothes usually last far less time than clothes from more expensive brands.

The same goes for other products purchased from brands like the newly-popular Temu, which sells a staggering range of items from kitchenware to accessories at unimaginably low prices.

Again, it is important to prioritize quality over quantity and put money into buying fewer but higher-quality products that will be part of a loved one’s life for a longer time.

Also consider buying high-quality gifts from brands that use their profits to give back, like Patagonia, Pura Vida, Prosperity Candle, the Tote Project and Parks Project. Beyond ensuring better quality, buying less unsustainably creates less waste for the Earth.

Christmas is a time for coming together with the people we love, and buying the perfect gift for them can be one way of demonstrating that love. No matter which type of gift gets chosen in the end, make sure to buy something that above all will be cherished by the recipient and reflects just how cherished they are.

Students Should Take Classes that Bring Them Joy Isabella Ledet Staff Writer Especially at the most wonderful time of the year, it is important to experience joy in our lives.

Perhaps the stress of upcoming finals and the uncertainty of a new semester on the horizon make us forget this, but it is crucial to remember the importance of our happiness.

A great way to feel fulfilled all semester-long is to take classes that are enjoyable. So many students fill their schedule with classes that they think look good on a resume, only to feel burned out, exhausted and stressed by the time the end of the semester rolls around. Not all classes have to be stressful and frustrating.

Taking a class that is actually enjoyable can also make the less enjoyable classes feel more bearable. Trust me.

Currently, I am taking an overloaded schedule in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. My schedule is a mix of core requirements and difficult classes in my major.

But cutting through the dense fog of stress is a beacon of light: songwriting. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday a little bit of joy is brought into my life when I walk up the stairs of the Mullen Center to take my songwriting class.

It is like a breath of fresh air.

The minute I heard about the class my freshman year, I knew

people just take “easy” classes. Sometimes, the things that we love can be challenging, but it is okay because it is something we truly value and care about. And taking enjoyable classes makes the work not really feel like work at all. While it is great to bolster resumes, life is not just about having the best looking list of things we have done.

Another great reason to take enjoyable classes, especially early in one’s college career, is that one might discover a passion they never knew existed. Sometimes, this is difficult because of core requirements or prerequisites, but no one would ever learn what they are passionate about if they never took a class in it. Passions do not have to just be something to pursue for extracurriculars, Students should avoid burnout by taking classes they are passionate about. they can become part of our curricuBrian Luppy/Villanovan Photography lum of classes, too.

Originally, I wanted to write it was something I wanted to take, differential equations, but I have an article just praising how incredregardless of whether it would count yet to meet them. My point is, it is for other requirements (though it important to balance out the difficult ible my songwriting class is. It was because I love the class so much that does count for my fine arts requirethings with the things that bring us ment). It was important to me to joy lest we lose ourselves in the work. I realized a more important message would be to encourage others to also take a class that I knew would bring I know that class registration take classes they are this passionate me joy. Sure enough, learning about has already passed, but take a moabout. chord structures, lyric formatting, ment to think about all of the possiSo, if ever you find yourmusic theory and famous songwriters ble classes here at Villanova. There self taking a class so awesome that gives me the break in my day that I are departments that I did not even so crave. I am able to put my brain know existed. There are classes about you want to write an article about to use in a different way than I do in topics so specific that the course cata- it in The Villanovan, you are doing all of my other classes, but also in a log feels nearly infinite. So, whatever something right. Always take the opportunity to take classes that bring way that I find truly enjoyable. someone has an interest in, there you joy because you never know if Perhaps there are people out simply must be a class in it. the opportunity will ever arise again. there that truly feel this way about I am not suggesting that

10 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Reality of an All-Encompassing Holiday Break Carter Smith Staff Writer The final two and a half weeks of the fall semester are some of the most stressful weeks of the year. As soon as we return from Thanksgiving Break, there are only two weeks of classes left before finals. That is two weeks to wrap up course content, write those final papers and projects and study for final exams. That’s a lot to do in not a lot of time, which understandably causes dramatic increases in both student stress levels and in the daily population of Falvey Library.

So, what if we just didn’t come back to school after Thanksgiving?

It’s a thought that most recently resurfaced in my mind at the end of Thanksgiving Break, when I was attempting to comprehend the full scale of my workload for the rest of the semester, and I figured it warranted some exploration.

So, join me on this journey of discovery as I seek to understand what it would take for Villanova to pivot to a single holiday break that encompasses Thanksgiving and the December holidays, as well as why it would actually be a bad idea.

For starters, what am I actually talking about? Final exams conclude this year on Dec. 19 and the spring semester officially begins on Jan. 16, giving students about a month of Winter Break.

The hypothetical all-encompassing holiday break (henceforth referred to as the AEHB) would, in theory, start when Thanksgiving Break does now (the Wednesday before the holiday) and the next se-

Junior Carter Smith considers whether or not a longer winter break would be fruitful.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

mester would begin on the second Monday of January - the eighth.

This arrangement would result in winter break being about a week longer than it is currently.

If Villanova were to move to this arrangement, there would be a few scheduling kinks to figure out. Dealing with the second semester would be easy, as we could get back from break a week early so that classes could either end a week earlier in the spring or we could have a two-week long Spring Break.

Rearranging the first semester schedule is trickier. The AEHB would result in the loss of two weeks of class and a week of finals, which would have to be replaced somewhere else. The finals period would be placed right before Thanksgiving and would likely have to be compacted into

fewer days. The rest of the semester would have to be moved up by 3 weeks, which would have us starting in the first week of August, or the second week of that month, if we sacrificed our fall break in October.

The pros and the cons of this plan are quite obvious.

First, the pros are that students would get to spend more of the holiday season with their families and friends from home and be able to participate in more traditions and gatherings unburdened by the end-of-semester stress. The AEHB would prevent much of the academic whiplash of going from a break to the most stressful weeks of the year back to a break again, allowing us to really enjoy the holiday season. Personally, I would love to not have my holiday spirit burdened by copious amounts of

coursework.

The various cons include the shifting of the fall semester that would have to occur would not be great. I don’t think anybody wants to start school in the beginning of August, because it would still feel too much like summer, and it would conflict with many summer internship tracks.

The AEHB would also prevent students from being able to celebrate much of the holiday season with their Villanova friends. On-campus organizations and the University have many holiday-themed events during this time, and the longer break wouldn’t allow most students to participate and celebrate together. Finally, the greatest con for most of us would be missing out on the basketball season. While there are a few games before Thanksgiving, a hefty portion of the men’s and women’s basketball schedules occur before the end of the first semester, and many students would hate to miss those games.

While many students would love to get all their work done before the holidays, being able to end the fall semester by Thanksgiving would be next-to-impossible without starting school in the beginning of August or giving up Fall Break.

While sitting in Falvey studying or writing papers is not the most enjoyable way to spend the holiday season, it is, unfortunately, the most optimal way to schedule the semester. Despite my propensity to take off instantly after my finals are done, I very much treasure being able to partake in and spread holiday cheer with my friends on campus.

Letter to the Editors: A Cabrini and Villanova Alum

To the Editors of the Villanovan: Earlier this week, I took a pleasant autumn walk on Cabrini’s campus. I stopped in Holy Spirit Library and was greeted by Dr. Bobbi Jacquet, former library director. It seemed like yesterday that I completed my graduate work. We chatted for a few minutes, and she expressed her disappointment about the sale of the campus to Villanova. The wheels of my mind started turning, trying to say something positive. I read how it was such a surprise to the entire campus. Here’s the view of a graduate of both Villanova and Cabrini.

Let’s start with the mottos of the two institutions. Villanova’s is “Caritas, Veritas, Unitas” or “Love, Truth and Unity.” Cabri-

ni’s is “Service Beyond One’s Self.” Certainly, there’s some overlap there, as service requires love and preferably truth and unity. Both universities strive to fulfill a Christian call to community, to people working together to achieve a goal greater than themselves. Both universities have strong athletics and academics.

However, Cabrini only became a university several years ago, while Villanova has been a university for decades, so how could Villanova just steal this dream of Cabrini’s to reach out to the larger world as a university?

Here’s where collaboration has to come into play. We have to believe that Divine Providence is a part of the solution.

You might ask: What’s Di-

vine Providence, anyhow? I once read Jean Pierre de Caussade’s book Abandonment to Divine Providence, which explains it best, but in a nutshell it’s the belief that we all need to believe in a good and merciful Creator. Surrender to God’s will in our lives, and trust that He will make all things well.

Afterall, catholic with a small “c” means “universal,” and these two Catholic universities are both part of one larger Church located in the Vatican and with offices all over the world. The two religious orders that sponsor the universities, the Order of St. Augustine and the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart have some commonalities, too, because their leaders, St. Augustine and St. Frances Cabrini were both pas-

sionate about the Catholic faith, and Nov. 13 is not only Mother Cabrini’s feast day, but the birthday of St. Augustine.

So, some good has to come from the deal! We just don’t know all of the details yet. I imagine the beautiful small campus could be a retreat center, as Villanova once tried to buy Malvern Retreat House. Hopefully, Holy Spirit Library can continue to keep its doors open, and I hope the athletic center will still continue to serve the community, as well as current students. Pray that the spark of creativity, which is the Holy Spirit, burns brightly as this work in progress continues.

- Nicole B. Baker, VU CLAS ‘86 Cabrini M.Ed. ‘98

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 11

OPINION

Letter from the Editors: Peace Out, Villanovan Vivi Melkonian Co-Editor-in-Chief Colin Beazley Co-Editor-in-Chief Two years ago, we sat in the Corr Hall basement watching our predecessors, Jack Roberge and Cate McCusker, finish their last production. They cried. We cried with them.

They’d given us so much advice about what to do and what not to do during our time as co-Editors-in-Chief, but on that Tuesday night, one thing stuck out — let’s not wait until 11:00 p.m. on a production night to start writing our goodbye.

So naturally, we started at 4:00 p.m. on production night. Journalists aren’t always efficient.

Now, we’re faced with the task of summing up both what these last two years have meant to us and what The Villanovan has meant to us, but more importantly, what the people we’ve met have meant to us. Where do we begin.

We would be a comma splice-ridden, grammatically inadequate paper without the diligent work of Madeline on the copy desk. It’s safe to say Madeline is the backbone of the newspaper. Beyond being a rhetorical wiz, Madeline is sneaky hilarious and her witty sarcasm makes even the blandest sentences fun. We’re not letting Madeline edit this ahead of time, so when there’s a typo, that’s the reason why.

Hayden and Natalie, our Digital editors, do so much more than make our Instagram pretty. Neither of them get quite enough credit for just how funny they are, on top of being incredible designers. The pair of them are an incredible team, and we’ve been so lucky to have them.

Two outgoing EICs reflect on their time in charge.

Emma Cahill / Villanovan Photography

The face behind the photos: Graydon Paul. Not only does Graydon have an amazing eye for capturing the moment, she is still dedicated to her art from an ocean away.

Graydon’s photos bring our paper to life every week. The only complaint we have about Graydon is she’s not in Corr basement with us tonight. What does Ireland have that we don’t?

Connoisseur of wings and sports Owen has been a road trip constant, as well as the wittiest Twitterer on the Villanovan staff. A go-to on the aux, Owen has fantastic taste in music and a better sense of humor.

Alongside Owen is the one and only Brooke, arguably the most driven and dedicated person to her craft we’ve ever met. Brooke brings light and joy to all, especially when she orders a Caesar Salad at El Limon (it’s a no go).

We’ve been blessed to go through our tenures at The Villanovan with six incredible seniors. They aren’t just great editors — they’re forever friends.

Pictured: the 2023 staff, some of our favorite people on Earth. All photos ours.

The EICs, from Editor Interviews in 2021 to the final 2022 production.

Matt Ryan (full names only) has been the life of The Villanovan’s party, sharing stories and raising vibes, even in the lowest of lows. To be a great story-teller and excellent listener is hard to balance, but somehow Matt does it effortlessly.

Jackie and Bella are a model of friendship and the greatest success of our tenures. The ultimate black cat, golden retriever pair, Jackie and Bella never fail to make us laugh uncontrollably every Tuesday night.

Sarah has grown with us and been there from the beginning, even when thousands of miles away.

Getting to know her even through her TikTok fame has been incredible (AND it WAS kind of classist). Despite having 837 things on her to-do list, Sarah never fails to make you feel like the most important item on her agenda.

Going outside the box to hire Lydia midway through the year was one of our best ideas, and we’re so grateful we know her, even just for her lunchtime stories alone — Lydia lore,

if you will. Lydia’s smile is infectious and her unhinged humor is the highlight of every Tuesday.

Chloe is the greatest. If Chloe’s there, you know it’s going to be a good time. The queen of the tailgate and ALWAYS the funniest person in the room, Chloe’s energy and spunk is unmatched. Chloe can effortlessly bring a room of strangers together by making them die laughing.

Letting go is never easy, especially when you love something so much. It’s made a little easier for the two of us knowing we’re leaving The Villanovan in the capable hands of Emma, Arden and Hannah next year.

Spring editors Arden and Emma have already proven themselves as a strong team, and when Hannah is back in the fall, we know she’ll bring the new editors into the welcoming environment she’s helped create for us. We know we’ve made the right choice, and we couldn’t be more proud of the three of them.

No matter how much writing and editing we’ve done, there’s no way to sum up what The Villanovan has meant to us. Our sophomore-year selves couldn’t have imagined the depth of love we could have for an organization and the people who shape it. This newspaper has been more than pages of Baskerville font; it’s been our motivation, our lives, our baby, a home and a family for our entire Villanova careers. We’ve loved every minute of it — even the horrifying, ninety-plus minutes the morning after our first production when we found out we never sent the edition to the printer.

It’s been everything to us.

We’re so grateful for these two years in charge, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

And now, off to find new personalities.

Vivi and Colin out.

We are so fortunate to go out with an incredible senior class.

The best part of The Villanovan is the people. Above, dinner during Magazine weekend.

12| The Villanovan

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Wednesday, December 6, 2023

401(K) BASICS: ITS NEVER TOO EARLY TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co

12/06/2023

Although it might seem too early for college students to plan for retirement when most haven’t started working full-time yet, understanding the retirement savings basics can help you make smart financial decisions that will pay dividends for decades.

A 401(k) is one of the most common retirement savings plans, and you should consider enrolling as soon as you start working.

Here are a few basic facts about 401(k)s.

What’s a 401(k)?

Named after a provision of the IRS legal code, 401(k)s are retirement savings accounts many companies use instead of a traditional pension plan. A traditional 401(k) plan allows you to invest a portion of your pre-tax income in an account where the savings can grow. Once you reach age 59.5, you can begin withdrawing the money, and pay income tax on it then. Another option some companies offer is a Roth 401(k) which is funded with post-tax earnings and withdrawals in retirement are taxfree.

Many employers will invite you to enroll in the company’s 401(k) plan when you start working there, and some may enroll you automatically. There’s no fee to participate, and you can choose how much you want to contribute each pay period.

Why you should participate Your 20s are the ideal time to start saving for retirement. On the most basic level, starting a savings habit early will help you maintain that practice throughout your life. That’s good enough of a reason on its own, but the structure of 401(k) plans provide financial incentives for early saving as well.

The first benefit is the employer match. Many employers match some portion of their workers' contributions, and the more you deposit, the more your employer may match. The employer match essentially gives you free money, and by not contributing, you’ll miss out on these additional funds.

The second benefit is compound interest. As with any savings account, funds contributed to a 401(k) earn interest. With each investment cycle, new interest is added onto the previous total. With more cycles for your interest to compound over time, you’ll see greater growth.

The beauty of compound interest is that it allows you to save a smaller amount per pay period at a younger age and still end up with more money by retirement than a person who contributes more per pay period but doesn’t start doing so until later in life. Put some numbers in this compound interest calculator to see the benefits of early saving.

401(k) tips and tricks Because young adults have plenty of financial obligations -- from student loan debt to basic living expenses – saving for retirement can fall low on the financial priority list.

That’s understandable, but remember, you can contribute as little as 1% to your 401(k), and because funds are deducted from your check before you get paid, you won’t feel the financial pinch as much. Although it's advised to contribute enough to get the full benefit of your employer's matching funds, you can put in less if that’s all you can afford now. Just make sure to increase your contribution as soon as you’re able to.

401(k) contributions also reduce your taxable income, which can help quite a bit when tax time rolls around. As long as you don’t withdraw money from the fund, you won’t pay any income tax on money you contribute.

Save today, enjoy tomorrow Free money, tax breaks, compounded interest and a simple way to save for retirement – a 401(k) account has it all. As you begin your job search, make sure to look into a potential employer’s 401(k) plan and sign up once you land the job.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

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The Villanovan | 13

CULTURE

14 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

CULTURE

Night Tailgate Preview: ‘Nova Versus UCLA Elijah McDow Staff Writer Continued from pg. 1 -nection to UCLA runs deep. She grew up going to games at Pauley Pavilion, which means if Villanova wins, she will have bragging rights at Christmas.

“There’s definitely some excitement,” Domingo said. “Both my parents attended and met at UCLA, so I’ve been to a lot of their games before.

I love watching UCLA, but on Saturday I’ll be rooting for ‘Nova.”

As for the tailgate, this will be Domingo’s third year participating. She has been to tailgates in single-digit temperatures, the pouring down rain and the cold dark nights. Domingo knows what to expect and she knows what to bring.

“My advice would be to get to the tailgate early,” Domingo said.

“Bring a disposable cup, and some hand warmers because it will be really cold, especially for a night game.”

Saturday will mark the first Wells Fargo gameday for freshman Ali Benjamin.

Having experienced the atmosphere in the Finneran Pavilion, Benjamin is excited to see what a Villa-

nova basketball game is like in an NBA arena.

“I expect the energy at the Wells Fargo Center will be even bigger than at the Finn, and that’s already high energy,” Benjamin said.

As of now, Benjamin’s plans for the tailgate are tentative, but she is planning on attending.

A big talking point surrounding Villanova vs. UCLA has been the lack of tickets provided to the student body.

It is a rarity for students to be waitlisted for a game at the Wells Fargo Center, but this year only a handful of students received tickets.

Some believe there was an issue with the app, and others have been left wondering.

Many of Benjamin’s peers did not get a ticket, so the group she will be going with will vary on who won the lottery.

“I plan on going with friends and whoever was able to get a ticket is who I’ll be going with,” Benjamin said.

“Most people I talked to didn’t get a ticket. I heard there was a glitch and, like, no one got a ticket. I’m still excited to go with those who did, though.”

While the game requires a ticket, the tailgate does not. Even though the main attraction is ‘Nova vs UCLA, plenty of fun can still be had if one

Villanovans attended the tailgate this past Saturday and will show up again this weekend.

Chloe Miller/Villanovan Photography

chooses to tailgate.

Whether it be tailgating in nine degrees, wearing three layers of socks, spending $70 on food or overindulging in beverages, Wells Fargo tailgates provide fun memories that will never leave the minds of those who witness and experience them.

With finals just days away, there is a lot of stress. Students are eager to return home for a break that lasts nearly a month. Standing in their way are papers, exams and projects. This can lead to many sleepless nights, tears and frustration.

As important as it is to study for exams, taking a break and enjoying

life outside the textbooks and PowerPoints is also vital to the success and well-being of Villanova students.

In other words, one does not come to Villanova just to stress about their exams, papers or their interview with JPMorgan. Students also chose a school like Villanova to make lifelong memories.

“Community” is a word that is used at Villanova daily. Whether it’s basketball games, carpooling or sharing a Quizlet, Villanovans have a tight connection. Through the good times and the stressful times, the students love to celebrate and uplift each other, and this attitude will be on full display.

Villanova Dining Hosts End of Semester Dinner between the Dining Services chefs, cooks and management to design the menu and recipes each year,” Wiseley said. “Second is the sourcing of the products that the culiAs the weather continues nary team would need to prepare to get colder and classes begin to the menu. Once the products are wrap up, there is a buzz on camsourced, the chefs prepare a tastpus. It is not only about finals ing to try the recipes. They make rapidly approaching and heading sure the recipes taste good and are home for the holidays, but also for realistic to prepare for the four Villanova’s End of Semester Dinthousand meals that are served on ner, which is occurring on Thursthis night in all three dining halls. day, Dec. 7.

Once the kinks are worked out of For those who have not yet the recipes and everything tastes experienced an End of Semester good, then we can solidify the dinner, the menu whipped up for menu and begin to advertise the this event is completely different event.” from what is usually served in This dinner is entirely difDougherty, St. Mary’s and Doferent from eating a normal meal nahue Hall. This year, the menu in any of the campus dining halls contains items such as filet midue to the elevation in food qualgnon, lobster orzo, French herb ity, wide variety of menu items, chicken breast, roasted shrimp, presentation and service.

Tuscan stuffed mushrooms (vegan), “It is a challenge to transa mashed potato bar, roasted brus- form and decorate the dining halls sels sprouts, baby carrots, breads into a festive celebration in the and spreads, which is an assorthour and a half that we have,” ment of different breads and dips, Wiseley said. “It is all hands-on in addition to the dessert extravadeck.” ganza.

Though meals at the Chef Chris Wiseley, who campus dining halls are normally serves as the Executive Chef of all-you-care-to-eat, the End of Resident Dining Halls for Villano- Semester Dinner limits students va University Dining Services, is to one portion of filet mignon and responsible for menu development, roasted shrimp. All the other menu recipe formation, culinary training items are all-you-care-to-eat, but and food quality on campus. He when a guest swipes into the dinshared that his favorites from this ing hall, they receive a ticket for a year’s menu include the Tuscan filet mignon and portion of roaststuffed mushrooms, lobster orzo, ed shrimp. mashed potato bar and the wide Though Wiseley is unsure variety of desserts. of the exact number of years Wiseley explained a little Villanova has been commemoratbit of the work that goes on being the conclusion of the semester hind the scenes in the dining halls. with such a memorable meal, he “The preparation for this knows it’s a decades-long tradievent starts with communication tion.

Zoe Manning Staff Writer

“We have been having this special dinner for over 40 years,” Wiseley said.

Though the dinner menu already sounds mouthwatering, the variety of dessert options is what many students also look forward to. Some of the offerings this year include tiramisu, gingerbread and lemon squares, mini s’mores bread pudding bites, salted butterscotch biundo (according to Wisely, “it is like a crème brulee”), mini chocolate shooters, raspberry shooters (vegan), lemon shooters (vegan), mini gluten-free cupcakes, xangos (fried cheesecake rolled in cinnamon sugar) and Haagen-Daz ice cream cups, among many other options.

Though the fall End of Semester dinner is always looked

forward to and well-received by the student body, it has evolved over time. “[We’ve] developed into a more diverse street food menu because of the weather, and the food is not as heavy and has smaller portions served,” Wiseley said. “Last spring, for example, we served pork belly bao buns, chicken bao buns, roasted vegetable bao buns, lobster rolls with New England clam chowder, bulgogi beef with gochujang fried rice and barbacoa tostadas.”

Savor a night delicious of flavors and commemorate the end of a demanding semester by attending the End of Semester dinner, which is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the holidays and celebrate in a festive atmosphere.

Villanova Dining will host its End of Semester dinner on Thursday.

Courtesy of Villanova Dining

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The Villanovan | 15

CULTURE

Reading Terminal Market: A Historical Gem Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor Emma Cahill Co-Culture Editor Maybe you’ve tried Geno’s and Pat’s, hopefully even D’Alessandro’s, but the Philadelphia food scene has much more to offer than just cheesesteaks (although we admit, the cheesesteaks are pretty good, too). Looking to immerse yourself in Philly cuisine beyond the hoagie? Take a trip to Reading Terminal Market, the Mecca of Philadelphia food stands.

Reading Terminal Market, located right by the Philadelphia Convention Center and easily accessible from the Jefferson Station SEPTA stop, opened in 1893 and has been a Philadelphia staple since. Today, the market has more than 80 merchants that offer something for everyone.

With grocers, prepared food stands, bakeries and much more, it is where “real people come for real food,” Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager, said.

Behind each merchant, there’s an interesting story to accompany it. This is the case for the stall, “Really Reel Ginger.” This stall has everything and anything ginger, ranging from ginger candies and immunity drinks and even soap. According to Allman, the merchant took family tradition and combined it with a new flavor palate. With stories like this embedded in each stall, there is a real personal aspect to the market.

“The owner went to Africa for the Peace Corps, met his wife,” Allman said. “And his wife’s family tradition was very ginger-based for health. And so they started a business off one product and came in here and sold it in a day still a few times a week and it has grown into

wave or oven.

Fortunately, Reading Terminal Market also offers a lot of meals that offer bang for your buck. When asked about the best way to spend $20 at the market, Allman gave the rundown on which stalls to hit up when you want a great deal.

“You can get a ton of good scratch-made food from Tambayan,” Allman said. “Dienner’s Bar-B-Q Chicken, which has Lancaster County’s rotisserie chicken and roasted vegetables, is also a great option. As well as Careda’s Caribbean, if you like Caribbean food.”

As for us, we had the ability to choose among the 80 vendors for lunch and dessert.

We both opted to grab lunch at Olympia Gyro, a stand that boasts a 30-pound roast of gyro meat, which they cut right before our eyes. Run by Athens Voulgardia, Reading Terminal Market has an array of food, in addition to stands like flower shops. Olympia Gyro has been his life Emma Cahill / Villanovan Photography since his parents emigrated to a full-time merchant. It’s about So, how does one brave America from Greece and bought the stories behind these products. this market full of many options to the stand in 1984. We both have That’s really the fun part.” choose from? Well, you’re in for a dreamt of this gyro every night for Not only do the merchants treat, as Allman has the ultimate dinner since. have a personal connection to the guide for how to navigate this iconLooking for something to market, but so do the shoppers. ic market. satisfy your sweet tooth? Well, we Although the market is definitely Allman knows all too well pursued what Allman referred to a tourist destination, it would be the story of the college student as the “danger zone:” a whole row nothing without the support of who is looking for an easy and of bakeries and pastry stalls in the local Philadelphians, specifically inexpensive meal. For Villanovans, market. We tried the mini tiramisu the older ladies residing in the city. Allman recommends heading to cake from Termini Bros Bakery, “If it wasn’t for I called the market early, around 8 to 10 and it had the perfect balance of them ‘my little lady Shoppers from a.m. to check out the local butchsweetness paired with that smooth North Philly and West Philly,’ ers and fishmongers. She encourespresso taste. We also tried the I don’t think it would have surages students to take advantage of donuts from Beiler’s, a Lancaster vived,” Allman said about the the knowledge from the merchants. County classic that makes freshmarket during the pandemic. “I “Ask advice,” Allman said. ly-made donuts every day. Althink that there’s just some magic “Say, ‘I’m trying to feed my four though it is unconventional, the here. It’s diverse. It’s welcoming. roommates this week, what do maple bacon donut proved to be People try to take their time with you have on special? What’s easy? an excellent combination of salty customers.”

What would you suggest?’” and sweet. The Boston creme, The market also works to Not a great cook? Supplevanilla M&M and Nutella donuts incorporate the youth of Philadel- ment your purchases with premade were also great choices. phia through robust programming foods from stalls such as ButchWhether you are in Philaincluding children’s story hours, er’s Pantry or By George. While delphia for the Christmas displays, programming with the local Boys the foods are homemade by local or just want to venture out as the and Girls Club and working with chefs, it makes quick and easy semester winds down, Reading high school culinary programs. meals to heat up in your microTerminal Market is a perfect stop.

Embracing the Holiday Season with All Sorts of Funky: Villanova University Jazz Band and Chamber Strings Nikki Cassel Staff Writer ‘Tis the season. December is upon us, along with all the things we love about the holiday season: tinsel, those red cups at Starbucks and, of course, Christmas music. This weekend, the Villanova Jazz Band (directed

by Peter Neu) and the Villanova Chamber Strings (directed

by Anna Pulaski) brought some Christmas cheer to Villanova’s campus, performing everyone’s favorite holiday songs in concert.

The concert took place on Sunday, Dec. 3 in the Topper Theater. Families, friends and classmates joined together in the Mullen Center to support members of the jazz band and chamber strings as they performed in their first semester concert.

This year was the first year

that the jazz band and chamber strings performed in the same concert. Opening the concert, the jazz band treated the audience to fun, festive and unique twists on their holiday favorites. Following the jazz band, the chamber strings contributed a more classic, timeless feel to the holiday concert. Bringing both traditional music and fresh new twists to this concert, the Villanova Chamber Strings and Villanova Jazz Band perfectly captured the spirit of the holiday season.

The concert began at 2 p.m. and the jazz band began its set with “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The band played seven pieces, including “The Christmas Song,” “Comfort and Joy” (a jazzy take on “We Three Kings”), “Deck the Halls With All Sorts of Funky” and, as a closing piece, “All I Want For Christmas is You.”

After a brief intermission, the chamber strings began its performance. The orchestra played eight pieces, which included “The New World Symphony,” Vivaldi’s “Winter,” “Greensleeves” and “Christmas Eve Sarajevo,” as a closing piece.

This year, the Villanova Jazz Band had one of the largest groups of student musicians in Villanova Jazz Band history. With roughly 40 members, it not only filled the stage, but it also filled the Mullen Center with its music.

President of the Villanova Jazz Band, Brendan King, reacted to the amount of student involvement in this year’s jazz band.

“Not only is it a lot of people, but that produces such a big sound,” King said. “The sound is very full and all the players are great.

“We’ve worked really hard leading up to this concert. I’m

looking forward to everyone getting in the spirit—both the musicians and the audience.”

When the concert let out, the lobby was abuzz with the joy of the season. Families, friends and classmates who came to cheer on the musicians praised the performances and left the theater with bright excitement and eagerness for the holiday season.

The practice, hard work and dedication that each musician put into this concert resounded with every note that was played.

Both the Villanova Jazz Band and Villanova Chamber Strings put on beautiful performances and have a lot to be proud of. Every musician filled the theater with talent and in doing so brought plenty of Christmas spirit to the Villanova community. Thank you, Villanova Jazz Band and Villanova Chamber Strings, for a beautiful start to the holiday season.

16 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

CULTURE

A Villanovan’s Gift Guide Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor Happy Holidays, Villanovans. As the weather gets chillier and trees are lit, it is time to start crafting your ultimate holiday gift wishlist. And you’re in luck, because here’s the ultimate gift guide for you, perfectly attuned to your interests.

1.

No classes on Tolentine’s fourth floor during Spring Semester We all dread it. The moment we open our schedules the week before break just to see that two of our classes are held on the fourth floor of Tolentine. The pain and tears begin right then.

Nothing is worse than dripping in sweat as you reach your classroom and peel off your heavy winter parka. Villanovans wouldn’t even wish this on their worst enemy.

2.

A summer internship or post-grad job at JP Morgan Villanovans have suffered through enough super days, CE classes and 100-hour work weeks.

Do all of the Villanova Business students deserve a job at JP Morgan? Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to dream. Fingers crossed, Santa.

3.

An Aritzia Super Puff and a pair of Golden Gooses It is impossible to walk into a Communication class at Villanova without seeing flocks of people sporting their favorite Aritzia Super Puff and glittery Golden Gooses. Frankly, I didn’t know

Looking for some gift inspo this holiday season? Look no further than this gift guide.

Brian Luppy/ Villanovan Photography

what either of those items were until I arrived on campus. Maybe it’s a little cliche, but I’m sure most Villanovans wouldn’t mind being gifted either of these, even the flip-flop warriors of Bartley Hall.

4.

An invite to AC If you have never heard of AC, you are in for a treat. Thankfully, it will be impossible to get away from it once reading day rolls around. It’s elusive, secretive and almost everyone wants to be invited. What sounds better than a night spent in the armpit of America?

5.

Unlimited Campus Corner It’s finals week, and you are

stuck in the library well past midnight. Nothing sounds better than some Zilly Fries, pizza or maybe even a cheesesteak. Unlimited access to the greasy delights of the beloved Campus Corner would be enough to get me through the senior slump of second semester. I know most of you would agree.

6.

A ticket to the UCLA game at Wells Fargo this weekend Every group chat this week has been flooded with the question, “Is anyone giving away a ticket for the UCLA game?”

Maybe you forgot to enter or maybe the lottery simply didn’t work in your favor. Despite the rough game last weekend, Villanovans

are more ready than ever to pack the student section to cheer on our ‘Cats.

7.

The reopening of Crust, the best restaurant on the Main Line For any freshman who never had the experience to sit at Crust with your best friends and gossip over pizza and hummus, I deeply apologize. For the Villanovans who cried after we heard the news that Crust, a beloved Mediterranean restaurant located in Bryn Mawr, was closing for good, I am with you. Villanovans would do anything to gather there once again. Sorry Las Fridas.

8.

Relief from the frat flu they’ve had since August Sophomore year. A shoe box in the quad. There’s no getting over the frat flu until you leave campus. You’ve been coughing and blowing your nose every few minutes in class for the past three months. It’s painful, I know, but you will get through it. Go visit Santa and ask him for some more DayQuil.

9.

The Villanova Starbucks to be accurate with the timing on mobile orders There might be nothing worse than treating yourself to Starbucks right before class, ordering through the mobile app, heading to Starbucks and having the barista tell you the store is backed up. The five-minute wait time turns into 15, which turns into 30, which turns into one missed class for you. The Villanova Starbucks rarely gets it right, but we love them anyway.

Villanova Hosts Irish Dance Invitational Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor While there aren’t many places where you can see 20 college-aged women dressed as Pitbull perform an Irish dance routine, that was the scene when Villanova Irish Dance took home the gold in the Villanova Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival on Dec. 2.

The 10th annual Villanova Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival was held in the Connelly Center’s Villanova Room this weekend.

16 teams from schools such as Temple University, Northeastern University, University of Vermont, Fordham University and others were present at the competition, as well as real Irish Dance judges.

“My favorite part is seeing so many people from different schools get together for their love of Irish Dance,” team member Juliana Peters said. “It’s amazing how everyone supports each other.

Even though it’s a competition, we all just want to have fun at the end of the day and do something we all love.”

Following Villanova Irish Dance was Temple University in second place, Fordham University in third place, Sacred Heart University in fourth place and Iona University in fifth place. These places are for what the competition designates “fun numbers.”

“A fun number is untradi-

tional and only exists in collegiate Irish dance,” student team member Ailish Wilson said. “Teams pick a theme, such as a pop star or a musical, and choreograph an Irish dance to it. The fun numbers are always a vibrant display of each team’s creativity and personality. This year, we saw routines to Taylor Swift, Grease and Beetlejuice, to name a few.”

Villanova Irish Dance, captained by Ellen Hagerty and Erin Lyons, won the fun number with its routine centered around Pitbull, where its featured songs such as “Hotel Room Service,” “Time of Our Lives” and “Timber.”

Wilson found the energy in the room to be contagious when Villanova Irish Dance won, stating that “it was so special to win on the 10 year anniversary of our festival.” The Villanova Intercollegiate Dance Festival was the event that helped Irish dance find a place on college campuses.

“10 years ago, Villanova Irish Dance was the catalyst for starting intercollegiate Irish dance competitions,” team member Isabelle Kellezi said. “Irish dancers around the country spent years growing up going to competitions, and before college teams were established, there used to be a sharp end point upon high school graduation. Today, collegiate Irish dancing combines the best parts of dance for students to continue their love for the sport for fun while attending school.”

During the competition,

Villanova’s Irish Dance Team won the Villanova Intercollegiate Irish Dance Festival.

Courtesy of Villanova Irish Dance

the teams also compete in other categories including four-hands, eight-hands and treble reels. Fourhands and eight-hands routines are more traditional team dances with four and eight members, respectively, while treble reels are solo routines.

The Irish dance team at Villanova is especially unique, as it is 100% student-run– the team does not have any choreographers or coaches, making the victory even more rewarding.

While a large part of the team win was due to the dancers on the stage, Villanova’s Irish Dance team also has all hands on deck behind the scenes. Wilson knew that with her busy schedule, she wouldn’t be able to compete,

but she did all she could to help her teammates.

“I decided to focus on festival logistics instead of competing,” Wilson said. “I organized the volunteers and helped with random jobs during the day, like selling tickets, helping dancers and printing programs.”

The festival was a great way to celebrate not only Villanova Irish Dance, but the love of Irish Dance throughout collegiate communities and families.

“Teams nationwide look forward to this event because we get to reunite with old dance friends that attend different colleges, and parents get to relive their ‘dance mom’ or ‘dance dad’ days,” Kellezi said.

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Group Fitness Instructor Spotlight: Sophia Crossan Zoe Manning Staff Writer It’s 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday or 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, and you are about to walk into the liveliest, most entertaining group exercise class that Villanova has to offer: student instructor Sophia Crossan’s rhythmic spin class. She is there early, engaging in light-hearted conversation with a few riders and asking if anyone needs help with bike set-up. When class is ready to begin, Crossan shuts off the lights and turns on the colored disco lights that are a staple in any spin class at Villanova. She announces, “This is your ride, your time. You do whatever is best for you and your body today.”

Rhythmic spin is unique from an ordinary spin class because these classes focus on riding to the beat of the music in a normal spin class, the focus is on what each rider is doing on the bike, rather than also incorporating the beat of the song. Crossan’s classes contain a mix of slow, quick and steady songs, and each song has different choreography, in addition to different levels of added resistance on the bike. However, the added choreography and resistance is optional.

“Throughout class, I offer modifications and frequently say ‘If you hate this, just leave it,’” Crossan said. “I try hard to create an environment that is welcoming to everyone, whether they are stepping into their first or 100th class.

“I always try to have a positive, encouraging attitude throughout

Looking to break a sweat? Go for a ride at Sophia Crossan’s spin class to get into the groove.

Zoe Manning/ Villanovan Photography

the entirety of class. I also frequently tell my riders ‘You can, you will,’ and ‘Get out of your head and onto your bike.’”

Sophomore Ella Rieg, a frequent rider in Villanova’s rhythmic spin classes, explained what she enjoys most about class.

“I enjoy spin class because it’s a fun way to get a workout in while listening to good music,” Rieg said.

“I like that you only have to do what you are comfortable with and it is a competition with yourself.”

Riders enjoy pushes and crunch-flys, but a signature piece of choreography from Crossan is “All Around the World.” It is Crossan’s “favorite combo” and consists of “a crunch in third, push in second, crunch in first and push in second.”

Natalie Mulvaney, a dedicated member of the rhythmic spin classes, discussed why “All Around the World” is her favorite choreography combo.

“I love it because it is so dif-

ficult and allows me to feel that I am getting a good upper body workout in, but also makes class go by faster,” Mulvaney said.

Sophomore Marina Saad, a frequent rider in the rhythmic spin classes, explained what makes Crossan’s spin classes different from other spin classes she has taken.

“I love [Crossan’s] spin classes especially because the vibes are always so positive, and I am able to push myself by getting in a really good workout, all while having fun and listening to good music,” Saad said.

Crossan shared that is is a “hard question” to determine what her favorite spin songs are, but she thinks the most enjoyable are The Hum by Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, 2010s Drake and Lil Wayne (“I’m Goin In,”“A Milli,” “Right Above It,” “Headlines”), and also said that she likes to use “a lot of Soundcloud remixes.” One of her favorites is Elephant x Black Skinhead.

Crossan’s spin classes are unique in the fact that the secondto-last song played in every class is always a slow “song for you,” and each rider is free to ride however they would like for the entirety of the song, with no instructions given.

“This is something I picked up from the studio I take classes at,” Crossan said. “At first, I didn’t get the point of having a slower song towards the end of class right when I just want to finish and get out of there... but as I took more classes I realized the power that song had. I encourage riders to be present on the bike in every other song, and focus only on the bike, but in the song for you, riders are given the opportunity to reflect on their life outside of the studio.

“Full disclosure, I have cried during this song before. This song presents an opportunity to truly listen to your body and what you need on that specific day.”

If one is intrigued by the prospect of joining a spin class but nervous about their fitness level, Crossan said that there is nothing to worry about.

“There is no standard other than the standard you set for yourself,” Crossan said. “Showing up is the hardest and most important part. My classes are judgment free and welcoming to everyone. I encourage new riders to come and try it out. You can walk in and do none of what I queue, but as long as you challenge yourself, I will be proud of you.

“In my classes it’s you vs. you, always.”

What’s in the Stars for You: Holiday Horoscopes Sophie Latessa Staff Writer The most wonderful time of the year has arrived, and it’s safe to say that many of the students walking around campus are listening to holiday classics in their headphones. Have you ever wondered what Christmas song best matches your personality?

Let’s take a look at which festive tune aligns with your star sign.

Aries: Run Rudolph Run This upbeat Christmas often gives a rock-and-roll vibe that is not ofte found in holiday music, making it the perfect fit for the bold personality of an Aries. Aries are known to be adventurous and always up for a good competition, a desire that Rudolph shares in the song, as he tries to beat the clock helping Santa with deliveries.

Taurus: White Christmas Tauruses are laid back and dependable, just like this Christmas anthem we can always count on. A time-honored classic, White Christmas emulates the cozy, relaxed holiday that a Taurus strives for. The talk of a holiday like ones from a person’s childhood and a wish for reliable traditions for all (“may all your Christmases be white”) add a sentimentality to the simplicity of this ageless tune that will surely resonate with a Taurus.

Gemini: The Christmas Song The playful, magical vision of Christmas in this timeless song per-

fectly fits the worldview of a Gemini.

The curious nature of children “from one to 92” on Christmas matches that of this star sign. Geminis are known to be spontaneous and fun with a natural curiosity for life, making this song that encapsulates the joy of the holiday season their perfect match.

Cancer: I’ll be Home for Christmas You can definitely count on a Cancer to be home for Christmas.

Loyal and nurturing, this star sign is known to have a warm spirit and homebody tendencies, making this song the perfect description of their holiday plans.

Leo: Santa Baby Confident and theatrical, Leos make everything a show and never hold back. They would have no problem telling Santa what they want without hesitation, and would make it as extravagant as possible. It’s not difficult to see why they might resonate with the speaker in Santa Baby, who knows what she wants and is self-assured that she deserves it.

Virgo: Deck the Halls If you want the halls decked, call a Virgo. Virgos are methodical and known to be perfectionists in everything they do. They are very detail-oriented, so they pride themselves on their decorating abilities and it is one of their favorite parts of the season. Their boughs of holly will always be perfectly placed.

Libra: Joy to the World The title of this hopeful

Want a holiday song suggestion perfectly curated by your star sign? Look no further.

Emma Cahill / Villanovan Digital

Christmas song might as well be the motto of Libras. Libras value peace and have a strong sense of justice.

They strive for harmony in all they do, meaning they love this holiday anthem preaching the message to let “Heaven and nature sing.”

Scorpio: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Scorpios’ personalities draw them to the famous story of Santa’s ninth reindeer. They are passionate about fighting for the underdog and never go down without a fight. Like Rudolph, they are stubborn and headstrong, making his festive yet inspiring story their favorite.

Sagittarius: Little Saint Nick This fresh holiday tune provides a cool twist on Santa that appeals to nonconformist Sagittariuses. They always want to discover new things, so they match best with this fresh take on the North Pole experience, complete with Santa speeding through the snow at a speed so fast that he needs goggles.

Capricorn: All I Want for Christmas is You Capricorns know what they want and there’s no stopping them once they know. Just like Mariah Carey in this iconic Christmas staple, they tell people how they feel and always keep it real.

Aquarius: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Aquariuses are innovative and independent. They make the holiday whatever they want it to be, no matter what anyone else says. This makes this song the anthem of their intimate, cozy Christmas.

Pisces: Let it Snow This is the perfect match for the sensitive Pisces personality. Pisces are known to be hopeless romantics, so the cozy and endearing holiday scene painted by this song is exactly what they strive for. You may find them spending the Christmas season looking for someone who holds them tight so they can be warm all the way home.

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18 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Mental Health During the Holidays Katie Formato Staff Writer It’s officially the holiday season. Students have decorated their dorms for the holidays. Many put up festive lights and decorated trees to make their room feel more festive. Study music has transitioned to holiday classics. However, before counting down the days before the holidays, students are counting down the days before finals.

The school year can be stressful for students, and that can have a negative toll on one’s mental health. This Winter Break, it is important for students to relax and have some downtime with family and friends. The free time can help students recharge before next semester and focus on their well-being. Below, one will find holiday activities that they can do over break to help slow down and focus on mental health.

Watch a Holiday Movie: There is no better way to relax than sitting on the couch and watching TV. This Winter Break, put on your cozy holiday pajamas,

Ice Skating and Skiing: At school, it can be easy to spend hours in the library. Also, with daylight savings, it becomes a challenge to spend time outside.

Even if you live somewhere cold, spend time outdoors. You can go ice skating or go skiing with your family or friends. If your friends ski and you live close to a ski mountain, take a day trip with your Bake Holiday Cookies: friends. This trip will allow you to If you don’t have a kitchen at school, and you love to bake, take catch up with them and hear about advantage of your kitchen at home their semester. When driving to the ski mountain, make sure to play and make some holiday cookies.

Taking time to make an easy dough some holiday music. Ice skating is another great way to help distract recipe from scratch is a great way to impress your family and friends. your mind and spend time outdoors. Ice skating demands a lot of Also, baking is a fun activity that concentration, which is why it can can help distract you from anxious be a great outlet if you need a fun thoughts. You can make sugar or activity. chocolate chip cookies, or if you want to get more festive, make holiday classics such as gingerbread Go Holiday Shopping: If you did not have time to and peppermint cookies. do your holiday shopping at school, going home for break is a great Decorate a Gingerbread time to get your holiday shopping House: done. Going to stores and looking Decorating a gingerbread house is a great way to de-stress. It’s for the perfect gift for family and friends is a great way to spend your almost like doing an art project or putting together a puzzle. Focusing time. on the little details of the gingerWrap Presents: bread house can help distract you Once you get all your from the stressors of everyday life. make some popcorn, get your hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream and put on your favorite holiday movie. There are endless classics such as Elf, The Polar Express, The Grinch and Home Alone 2. These movies never get old, and you can watch them with family, friends or even your dog.

presents, spending time wrapping them with the perfect wrapping paper or festive bag can be another great creative outlet. Taking time to wrap a present for someone and picturing them opening the gift can bring so much happiness. Wrapping presents can help boost your mood and allow you to think about the excitement of the holiday.

Spend Time with Family and Friends: This holiday season, find some time to spend with those you love. Surrounding yourself with family and friends can significantly help boost your mood and better your mental health.

After finals are over, many students have a sense of relief.

However, although the semester is done, many students still deal with anxiety about their grades for final tests or papers. This Winter Break, it is important for students to relax and have downtime to spend with family and friends.

If you find yourself dealing with a lot of anxiety, take some time to try some of these festive activities. They will help get you into the holiday spirit and allow you to focus on your well-being.

Visions of Sugarplums: Go See the Nutcracker in Philly Cali Carss Staff Writer George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” ballet is a staple of every holiday season. Ballet companies run this magical performance through the entirety of December, and any dancer will tell you they’ve been in at least one production of it during their childhood. From mice and soldiers to candy canes, hot chocolate and so much more, “The Nutcracker” has solidified itself as one of the most iconic ballets of all time.

One can, of course, see the Philadelphia Ballet’s beautiful rendition of this classic performance this winter at the Academy of Music.

Whether it’s Clara throwing her shoe at the Mouse King or Mother Ginger’s children hiding under her skirt or the Sugar Plum Fairy, the whimsical elements of this ballet cannot be

understated.

However, that is not the only version of “The Nutcracker” coming to Philly this season. If one is seeking a new and unique spin on the classic this time around, look no further than “The Tapcracker.” Performed on by the all-women tap company the Lady Hoofers, this rendition is entirely in tap, rather than its usual ballet. Furthermore, this performance leaves the familiar German setting and shifts to Paris. Here, the mice have taken over the city and the beloved wooden soldiers must guard the Eiffel Tower as Paris is thrown into chaos. This surely hilarious performance will take place on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, so if one needs a laugh before finals week officially comes around, this is the show to see.

Another classic Philly adaptation to look forward to is the “Classic Nutcracker” by The Rock School. Its choreography follows a different path than the popular Balanchine varia-

Enjoy the wonders of all the different Nutcracker performance Philly has to offer.

Emma Cahill/ Villanovan Photography

tion, taking inspiration from Marius Pepita, who choreographed for the Royal Ballet. This school’s performance features the future of ballet, with young students taking on these iconic roles in order to create the show we know and love. The Rock School is also known for its wonderfully creative “Nutcracker 1776” which places the beloved characters of the original ballet in colonial Philadelphia, which proves to be an entertaining history lesson. When Drosselmeier becomes Ben Franklin, mice become British soldiers and the Nutcracker becomes

a revolutionary, one knows they’re in for a treat. “Nutcracker 1776” is unfortunately missing from their website this year, so one can only hope they bring it back very soon.

There are no doubt countless other companies and dance schools all around the city putting on their own version of “The Nutcracker.” Regardless of where one experiences it, this ballet is something I believe everyone should see. It’s a wonderfully engaging performance, drawing people of all ages to it with color, music and the distinct feeling of the holidays.

Local Holiday Spotlight: Longwood Gardens Nikki Cassel Staff Writer It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With decorations throughout campus and exams on every planner, the telltale signs of an approaching Winter Break are upon us. As the end-of-semester stress chases us into December, it can be hard to get into the holiday spirit and embrace the beauty of the season. Longwood Gardens is the perfect excursion guaranteed to fill your day with holiday cheer.

Longwood Gardens is a botanical garden located in Kennett Square, PA (roughly 40 minutes away from Villanova’s campus by car). The gardens are beautiful year-round, but they are truly a sight to behold during the

Christmas season. Since the 1950s, Longwood Gardens has crafted extraordinary Christmas-themed displays for its annual A Longwood Christmas event, which runs from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7.

Filling an estimated 200 acres, these gardens are amplified with holiday lights and decked out in everything Christmas. Though there are decorations abound, natural beauty is at the core of Longwood Gardens’ displays. Conservatories and outdoor gardens are carefully arranged with varieties of plants and the picture is completed with traditional Christmas decor.

Every year, a theme is chosen for the A Longwood Christmas display, and this year’s theme is “A Very Retro Christmas.” Pulling inspiration from Christmases

past, the gardens have been filled with vintage ornaments, tinsel and throwback decorations. While the theme attaches time periods to these displays, they have an ageless beauty about them.

The displays are beautiful during all times of the day, and if you happen to book your tickets for an extraordinarily cold day, don’t worry. Concession stands are located within the gardens where you can get a cup of hot chocolate to help you brave the inevitable cold of the winter season.

Freshman Caroline Bernacki recently took a trip to see the A Longwood Christmas display.

“There’s so much to look at,” she said. “Everything was so meticulously decorated and creative, as soon as you stepped in you

could feel the Christmas spirit.”

The exhibit is such a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the season with the people you love—it is an outing that cannot be recommended enough.

Elegant, classy and timeless, A Longwood Christmas will truly be the prettiest sight to see this season. Whether you’ve been to Longwood Gardens before or are learning about it for the first time, I strongly encourage you to go visit.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase online, though the gardens are a bit removed from Villanova’s campus, don’t be afraid to bring a little school spirit with you. Be sure to show off your Wildcard for a student discount.

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The Villanovan | 19

SPORTS

Football Prepares for Toughest Test Yet: No. 1 SDSU

rabbits. The Jackrabbits are 8-1 rushing defense in the nation in at home in the past five playoffs, UAlbany, and were limited to 71 and have lost twice at home in the net rushing yards in a 31-10 loss. past three seasons. The JackrabThe Jackrabbits boast the secContinued from pg. 1 bits have not lost to another FCS ond-best rushing defense, allowing six of its 12 games. program since December of 2021. a per game average of 90.5 rushOn offense, the Jackrabbits The key for victory for the ing yards. are led by junior quarterback Mark Wildcats is to not let their offense The problem with directly Gronowski. He has thrown for become one-dimensional. The comparing the Jackrabbits to the 2,517 yards, 24 touchdowns and ‘Cats have already faced the best Great Danes is that the Jackrabbits four interceptions. Senior running back Isaiah Davis leads the way on the ground for the Jackrabbits. Davis is ninth in the FCS in rushing yards with 1,192. He’s rushed for 100 or more yards six times, and has scored 14 touchdowns.

There is recent playoff history between the two teams.

The unseeded Jackrabbits came to Villanova Stadium in the 2021 FCS playoffs and upset the No. 5 Wildcats to advance to the semifinals. Now, the ‘Cats have a chance to return the favor in the second quarterfinal matchup between the teams in three seasons.

“I think it’s interesting,” graduate quarterback Connor Watkins said on Selection Sunday, when asked about the possibility of facing the Jackrabbits. “It’s almost the polar opposite. Obviously, we didn’t win the national championship, but they had to come down here and play us in ’21. It’s kind of ironic how it played out… If that happens we’re excited for the opportunity.”

The ‘Cats will need to have one of their sharpest efforts of Graduate running back TD Ayo-Durojaiye has rushed for 438 yards this season. the season to take down the JackBrian Luppy/Villanovan Photography Owen Hewitt Co-Sports Editor

Graduate quarterback Connor Watkins has thrown for 2,607 yards.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

Senior linebacker Brendan Bell has recorded 82 tackles.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

also boast a top-10 passing defense, which the Great Danes cannot claim. They allow 166.3 passing yards per game, seventh-best in the nation.

Not allowing the offense to become one-dimensional against the Jackrabbits will be the toughest task the ‘Cats have faced all season. The ‘Cats will have to rely on creating “explosives,” big plays that can either create scores or provide the spark on a scoring drive. Watkins and co. have been good at generating these throughout the season. Watkins leads the FCS in yards per pass attempt and sophomore receiver Jaylan Sanchez and graduate receiver Rayjuon Pringle are one and two in yards per reception, both with more than 25 yards per catch.

The Jackrabbits are not a team that one can methodically grind down. They are the best red zone defense and offense by percentage of scores.

They have an average turnover margin of .92, good for seventh in the nation. They don’t cough up the ball frequently, with just 10 turnovers lost this season.

The one area where the Jackrabbits aren’t elite or close to elite is penalties. They rank 108 out of 122 in fewest penalties.

The Jackrabbits will take advantage of every mistake that the ‘Cats make. The ‘Cats will have to be perfect, or as close to it as possible, to upset the Jackrabbits.

Jalen Jackson has scored 20 rushing touchdowns this season.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

Villanova leads the FCS in yards per completion.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

SPORTS

20 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

MBB Preview: UCLA at Wells Fargo Center Katie Lewis Staff Writer The Wildcats will return to the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. to take on UCLA, the 2023–24 schedule’s only Pac-12 foe.

After a loss to Drexel placed Villanova (6–3) sixth in last weekend’s Big Five Classic, the Wildcats faced Kansas State on the road Tuesday night, XX-XX. Head coach Mick Cronin’s Bruins head to Philadelphia after scraping by UC Riverside, 66–65, on Thursday, Nov. 30. The victory increased UCLA’s overall record to 5–2.

The Bruins ended last season with a 31–6 overall record and a perfect 17–0 home record.

UCLA has yet to face a fellow Pac-12 team this season. The Bruins currently stand sixth in the conference in overall record.

The Bruins collected both of their losses during the Allstate Maui Invitational on Nov. 20–22, falling to No. 4 Marquette by two points and No. 11 Gonzaga by four. Gonzaga and Marquette are the only ranked teams UCLA has played this season.

As a team, the Bruins are shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 31.3 from three.

Freshman guard Sebastian Mack is UCLA’s leading scorer, averaging 14.7 per game. Mack earned Pac-12 Freshman of the Week last week following his standout performance in Maui, which included a

25-point performance against Marquette.

Closely behind the star rookie in points per game is 6’10” sophomore forward/center Adem Bona, who averages 13.4.

Another key player on the UCLA roster is sophomore guard Dylan Andrews, who leads the Bruins in assists, averaging 4.3 per game.

Andrews can deliver in high-pressure situations, as he hit the game-winning shot last week against UC Riverside with less than four seconds to go.

Head coach Kyle Neptune and the Wildcats will need to prepare to thwart a potent UCLA defense.

The Bruins are allowing an average of 65 points per game. UCLA will also have a size advantage over Villanova, with five players on the roster standing 6’9” or taller.

The Wildcats are looking to shake off an underwhelming Big Five Classic with two non-conference matchups against Kansas State and

UCLA.

Villanova’s biggest obstacle in the close Drexel game seemed to be itself, as the Wildcats shot just 33 percent from the field. Finishing the day only 5–27 from three, the ‘Cats set up good looks throughout the game but had unusually low shooting accuracy.

Redshirt senior forward Eric Dixon is Villanova’s offensive leader.

Dixon totaled 21 points against Drexel and averages 14.8 per game in the 2023–24 season.

Back to the Wells Fargo Center against UCLA, Neptune and the Wildcats will seek to improve shooting percentage, especially from outside.

The Wildcats and the Bruins are familiar opponents, last meeting on Nov. 12, 2021 in an intense game in Los Angeles. The Bruins came out on top, 86–77, in overtime.

Since UCLA defeated Villanova in the 1971 NCAA Championship, the teams have split the series 3-3.

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

Wednesday, November 29 Men’s Basketball vs Saint Joseph’s 78-65 L Thursday, November 30 Women’s Basketball vs Richmond 67-57 W Friday, December 1 Saturday, December 2 Football vs Youngstown State FCS Playoffs Second Round W 45-28 Men’s Basketball vs Drexel Big 5 Classic 57-55 L Men’s Track at Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener No Team Scoring Sunday, December 3 Women’s Basketball @ Columbia 75-77 L Monday, December 4 Tuesday, December 5 Women’s Basketball vs Penn 68-62 W Men’s Basketball @ Kansas State Big East-Big 12 Battle 72-71 L (OT)

Graduate guard Justin Moore was held to four points in the loss to Drexel.

Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography

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The Villanovan | 21

WBB Previews: St. Joseph’s and Princeton Craig Hyzy Staff Writer Villanova went 1-1 in its fourth week of play, beating Richmond, 67-57, on Thursday and falling to Columbia on Sunday, 77-75. After Tuesday’s matchup with Penn, the Wildcats stand at 6-2 on the season.

Next week, Villanova will take on Saint Joseph’s (7-0) on Saturday, Dec. 9 at Hagan Arena in Philadelphia, and Princeton on Monday, Dec. 11 at the Finneran Pavilion. Tip-offs for both games are set for 7 p.m.

The Hawks have had a very hot start to the season, going undefeated in their first seven games. Some of their biggest wins came against Penn, Drexel and Yale.

This season, St. Joe’s is led by junior forward Talya Brugler.

Brugler is averaging 15.1 points and 3.9 rebounds. The Hawks also have a top guard, Chloe Welch, who is averaging 12.3 points.

St Joe’s is led by head coach Cindy Griffin. Last year, Griffin’s team had a 20-11 record and advanced to the NIT tournament when it lost to Seton Hall, 69-61. St. Joe’s has not had a NCAA tournament appearance since 2014.

Villanova has won its past seven matchups against Saint Joseph’s.

As for Villanova’s matchup

Villanova is currently 6-2 on the season.

Ryan Sarbello/Villanovan Photography

against Princeton, the Tigers have been one of the best teams in the Ivy League in recent years. They opened the season 5-3 and briefly appeared in the AP Top 25, but dropped out in this week’s ballot after losses to No. 16 Indiana and

Rhode Island.

Princeton is led by head coach Carla Berube. Last year, Berube’s team had a 24-6 record and appeared in the NCAA Tournament, where it defeated NC State in the first round and lost to No. 2

Utah in the second round.

The Tigers also had a run in the Ivy League Tournament in the 2022-23 season. Princeton has won the Ivy League two years in a row and has made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament for two straight years.

This season, the team is led by senior guard Kaitlyn Chen.

Chen is averaging 17.6 points with 3.9 assists. The Tigers also have a top guard, Madison St. Rose, who is averaging 16.4 points.

Villanova is 5-2 all-time against the Tigers. The last time these two teams met was last season on Nov. 11, 2022, when Villanova defeated Princeton, 69-59.

In both matchups, Villanova’s player to watch for is star guard Lucy Olsen. In Villanova’s most recent game against Columbia, Olsen had 33 points. This season, the junior is averaging 26.0 points per game, thanks in part to her 40-point game against Temple.

Another name to keep an eye on is forward Christina Dalce.

The junior is having a great year, averaging 8.9 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Against Columbia, Dalce finished with seven points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.

In addition to Villanova’s star Olsen, another name to keep an eye on is junior guard Kaitlyn Orihel. Orihel is averaging 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds on the year. In the Wildcats’ recent matchup against Columbia, Orihel finished with seven points.

Dixon Finds Continued Success With Support of Family Elijah McDow Staff Writer Some parents are the reason their child falls in love with a sport.

Others are the reason they quit. But for redshirt senior Eric Dixon, his family is the reason he keeps going.

From Dixon’s days playing U10, AAU and high school, to playing on college basketball’s biggest stage, family has always been important to him.

Whether the game was in Villanova, New Orleans or in the Bahamas, Dixon’s mother Jean, his father Eric and younger brother Charles have always shown up.

“They’ve made it easier,” Dixon said. “Honestly I don’t know if I would be in the position I am, as far as scoring and leading the team, if they weren’t there with me. They make hard days easier and easier days great, and I say that all the time and I mean it when I say it. To have that belief, to be able to have my family, to be able to go home and see them, is super nice.”

Throughout his time at Villanova, not only has Dixon grown, but so has his little brother. As Charles has grown, the bond he and Dixon have formed has been one that has helped the Wildcat forward take his mind off of basketball.

“It’s been great, it’s been everything that I could have imagined,” Dixon said. “My brother has grown from age six to 11. Especially this year we’ve grown a lot closer. He’s in middle school now, and it’s been awesome.”

At Villanova, Dixon is a fan

favorite. At six foot eight, he is a mix of skill and versatility. He can post up, out-muscle his opponents, knock down free throws and also score from behind the arc.

Since making his debut in 2020, Dixon has had many big games as a Wildcat, but none left more of an impression on NBA scouts, opponents and commentators than his recent performance in a makeshift court in a Bahamas ballroom.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Wildcats matched up with No. 9 (then ranked No. 14) North Carolina in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The Tar Heels are led by graduate center Armando Bacot, who is on the watchlist for national Player of the Year.

Prior to arriving in the Bahamas, Dixon’s productivity had been down, but the matchup with Bacot was his chance to enter the All-America conversation himself.

With his family in the stands, Dixon would go on to score a career-high 34 points and grab 10 rebounds in the Wildcats overtime win over the Tar Heels.

“My family came down, and we spent Thanksgiving together like we normally do,” Dixon said.

“To have them with me there at that moment was really nice and I know they’re gonna love me whether I play good or play bad.”

Dixon has been underrated for most of his career, but his performances in Atlantis were a message that he should not be doubted.

What Dixon did against Bacot shows why Jay Wright and now Kyle Neptune have trusted him in the biggest of games.

“He’s just a guy that’s a relent-

This season, Dixon is averaging 14.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

Brian Luppy/Villanovan Photography

less worker,” Neptune said. “He really wants it for himself and so anytime you have that and talent you have a pretty good combo.”

Neptune’s confidence in Dixon has allowed the team’s big man to excel in big moments.

“I think it’s just the time that I’ve been here and the trust that my coaches and teammates have in me,” Dixon said. “It’s not always going to be scoring every day or every game, it just happened to be that way most days last year, but I think for me, the highest honor is having decision-making abilities at the buzzer.”

Following his career-high against Carolina and the championship game victory against Memphis, Dixon was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

But while it was nice to add another accolade to his resume, Dixon was more eager to share how happy he was to make his family proud.

“Every child likes when their parents are proud,” Dixon said. “It’s definitely a good feeling for them

cause you know when I struggle, they struggle and when we struggle, they struggle. Obviously it feels good to give them something to be proud of and obviously they were happy with it but even them, they were like “it’s time to get ready for the next one.”

Following Villanova’s return from Atlantis, the Wildcats have suffered back to back losses, but Dixon has not slowed down his success. In the loss to St. Joe’s on Wednesday, Nov. 27, Dixon scored 14 points. In the Big 5 Classic loss to Drexel on Saturday, Dec. 2, he scored 21.

While Dixon has become one of the key leaders of this Wildcat team, this has not always been the case. He worked for this recognition.

In 2019 he was not a McDonald’s All-American, he was not an NBA prospect, but this season he has caught the attention of scouts and is among the biggest names in college basketball.

And one things for certain — it didn’t just happen. It all started with his family’s support.

22 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

SPORTS

Liam Murphy Shatters Villanova 5k Indoor Record

Dylan Johnson Staff Writer This past Saturday, senior Liam Murphy took a solo trip to Boston, Massachusetts. The Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener at Boston University kicked off the indoor track and field season. Murphy was the only Villanovan in attendance. Head coach Marcus O’Sullivan was in Ireland recruiting, but did give insight on the process leading up to Boston.

“We gave [the team] a legitimate break coming out of the cross-country season,” O’Sullivan said. “I told [Murphy] if he did not want to go, we would not send him, but he was confident in his abilities.”

In just his second-ever col-

lege 5000m (5K), Murphy broke the school record for the indoor 5K by 16 seconds. He finished the race in eighth place, with a time of 13:21.20.

Murphy’s time was enough to shatter the school’s previous indoor record of 13:37.73. The previous record was set

by Olympian Patrick Tiernan on February 14, 2014, at Iowa State. O’Sullivan was very confident in Murphy’s ability leading into the event.

“He is in superb shape,” O’Sullivan said. “This event sets him up to have a shot at qualifying for nationals. It would be much harder if he waited until later in the season to try to get these qualifying races in.”

Murphy was less than sixtenths of a second away from surpassing the absolute school record, meaning both indoor and outdoor 5000m times. The absolute school

Murphy was the only Villanova athlete at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Opener.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Murphy’s time this past weekend was the third-fastest time by a Villanova runner in the 5k.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

record of 13:20.63 was set by Sydney Maree on June 2, 1979. The 44-year record remains one of the longest-standing distance records in Villanova’s history.

“To come so close to breaking a 40-year-plus record is great,” O’Sullivan said. “It just goes to show how much work [Murphy] has put in.”

O’Sullivan also set a Villanova school record in Boston. In 1983, he ran the school’s fastest 5-mile at 22:48.5. It sits as another 40-year record that is still unbeaten.

Murphy’s performance this weekend is the third-fastest time by a Villanova runner in the 5K. While Maree holds the record, Tiernan

is the absolute runner-up. He ran 13:20.88 on June 29, 2016.

Murphy’s only college 5K before this was during the past outdoor track season. He finished the race in 13:43.32, which won him a Big East title. His time this Saturday was 22 seconds faster.

Murphy will join the rest of the team on a well-deserved break.

The rest of the track and field teams, both men and women, will open the indoor season on January 13, 2024. They will compete in the Penn 10-Team Select meet hosted

by Penn at the Ocean Breeze Track & Field Athletic Complex in Staten Island.

Mark Fetrow Takes Over As Men’s Soccer Head Coach Elijah McDow Staff Writer Nov. 16 was a day that shocked all who follow Villanova men’s soccer. After 16 years as head coach of the Wildcats, Tom Carlin retired. Taking over from Carlin is his former assistant, Mark Fetrow.

“To have the opportunity to pass this program on to Mark Fetrow, one of the top head coaches in the country, is a blessing,” Carlin said to Villanova Athletics.”

It truly is a fairy tale ending to a 25-year coaching career and I owe all of it to Villanova University and the leadership of our President, Father Peter [Donohue] and Mark Jackson.”

Fetrow has his own experience of playing soccer and knows what it takes to reach the professional ranks.

Fetrow was a four-year starter at Penn State. Fetrow was drafted by the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer in the 2012 Supplemental Draft.

Following a brief professional career, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach at West Chester University. Prior to WCU, Fetrow was a graduate assistant at his alma mater.

Fetrow spent six seasons as a member of Carlin’s staff. Last July, Fetrow was offered the job to become men’s soccer head coach at Drexel. He accepted the position and left Villanova, but not for long.

In his lone season at Drexel,

Mark Fetrow coached at Villanova for several years before becoming the head coach at Drexel. Now, he returns to the Main Line.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Fetrow led the Dragons to a 9-2-5 record.

A native of West Chester, Pa., Fetrow has big shoes to fill, as Carlin is arguably the greatest coach in program history. In Carlin’s 16 seasons at the helm, he took the ‘Cats to the NCAA tournament twice, led them to their first ever tournament win and won 122 games.

Fortunately for the Wildcats, Fetrow is no stranger to Carlin’s style of play. After three seasons on Carlin’s staff, Fetrow was elevated to the role of Associate Head Coach in 2019.

“Coach Carlin’s my mentor,” Fetrow said. “When you work with somebody for as long as I have

with him you learn a lot and you take a lot of things. I think there’s always gonna be a presence of Coach Carlin in our program. He’s been there for 16 years. I think it’s really important to build off his legacy, but at the same time, start implementing some of my values and things I think are most important to try and take the program to the next level in terms of a winning perspective. He’s a guy I’m gonna consistently lean on, especially during this transition phase.”

Fetrow’s coaching philosophy is built on four core values.

“There’s four core values that I want to focus on with our group and its honesty, integrity, attitude and effort,” Fetrow said.

“Obviously the word attitude comes with a lot of praise at Villanova and I think that’s important to the identity of our student athletes.”

The Wildcats will begin their 2024 season next fall but the work for Fetrow has already begun.

The work for the players will begin in the spring and summer.

“I think the next seven months is a great opportunity to get ingrained in a new style of play and a new system of play to have and make the most of our opportunities,” Fetrow said. “It’s gonna be a team effort. We’re never gonna lean on one or two guys but I think that the best way for us to build is to have continued success.”

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

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