The Villanovan | Volume 113, Issue 7: Wednesday, October 7, 2021

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2021 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

STUDENT-RUN SINCE 1916

VOLUME 113 | ISSUE 7

Pub Safe Parking Misconduct

Women’s Soccer Head Coach Will Not Coach for Remainder of the Season

Andrew Portas Staff Writer

If you have a car on campus this semester, I can guarantee you’ve had trouble finding parking at some point. It’s not uncommon on West campus to see cars parked up on grass fields or left on the side of the road in makeshift spots. Students are not alone in their difficulties to locate parking as Public Safety vehicles often resort to the same tactics. However, many students have also reported a disturbing trend: Public Safety vehicles parking in handicap designated spots across campus.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires parking spaces in most lots to designate parking spots accessible for temporary or permanently disabled individuals. They are placed closer to building entrances and provide sufficient surface area for those with certain disabilities to conveniently enter and exit their vehicle.

Any misuse of these spots not only violates federal and state law but threatens the accessibility of spaces for disabled Americans.

Within the state of Pennsylvania, including Villanova’s campus, handicap spot violators are subject to towing and fines ranging from $250 to $1200. While it’s common to see fluorescent parking tickets placed on student vehicles across campus, few if any of us have likely seen one placed on a Public Safety vehicle.

Take one look at the popular Instagram account @villanovashittyparking and one can find a well-documented catalogue of Public Safety parking offenses. Posts illustrate the department’s vehicles parked within multiple spots, in the middle of walking paths and even officers’ personal vehicles parked in fire zones. Most concerningly, Continued on p. 10

Villanova women’s soccer head coach Chris McLain will not coach the team throughout the remainder of the season.

Courtesy of Soccer Wire

Colin Beazley Co-Sports Editor

Villanova women’s soccer head coach Chris McLain did not coach in Sunday’s Senior Day game against Butler and will not coach the team throughout the remainder of the season.

When asked for a statement by The Villanovan, Villanova Athletics

stated: “We can confirm that Chris did not coach Sunday’s game against Butler nor will he be coaching in the season finale against St. John’s on Thursday. Details regarding his status will be forthcoming.”

Associate head coach Daniel Clitnovici stepped in during McLain’s absence in the game against Butler, and deliv-

ered the halftime team talk.

Villanova has a 7-10 record this season, and the team has lost nine of their last ten games.

The program started the season with a 6-1 record but has fallen off since, only winning once in Big East play. McLain was last on the sidelines on Oct. 17, as his team lost 1-0 in double overtime to UConn.

McLain is in his fifth year as head coach of the program, after two seasons as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Ohio State. McLain has compiled a record of 35-483 at Villanova and led the program in 2019 to its first winning record since 2009.

This is a developing story, and will be updated as more details become available.

University Announces Expansion to CEER in the Upcoming Spring Jadyn Ramos

Staff Writer

This past week, the Villanova community received an announcement regarding the upcoming transformation and renovations to CEER (Center for Engineering Education and Research).

This expansion of the building is scheduled to begin this upcoming spring and is estimated to be completed by the fall of 2024.

The goal of this transformation is to expand the building and create a larger space for the engineering community in hopes of

The expansion is shceduled to begin this upcoming spring.

Courtesy of Villanova University

being able to have the entire engineering department in the same building.

“We know that facilities play a significant role in the overall student experience, which is why upgrading and modernizing our academic spaces is a key focus of our current Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless.,” said University President Rev. Peter M. Donahue, O.S.A., Ph.D.

“In true Villanova fashion, every aspect of the project—from the placement of faculty offices to lab configuration and gathering spaces—is the result of a collaborative process aimed at Continued on p. 2

Student-Run Pop-up Thrift Shop on Campus p. 3

University Experiences Break-Ins Over Break p. 4

Colin Powell Dies of COVID Complications p. 5

Sexual Assault on the SEPTA p. 6

White Pants Should Stay After Labor Day p. 7

Villanova Should Have a TikTok p. 8

The Book Buzz p. 11

Making the Most of the Main Line: Septa Train Guide p. 12

Horoscopes p. 14

Football Shuts Out Rhode Island p. 17

2 | The Villanovan

News Opinion Culture Sports

1 6 10 15

PUBLIC SAFETY BLOTTER

VOL. 113 | ISS. 7 www.villanovan.com @thevillanovan

CATE McCUSKER JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE ARIANA MEGERIAN SARAH SWEENEY SARAH WISNIEWSKI TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN A.J. FEZZA ELENA ROUSE CHLOE MILLER COLIN BEAZLEY BILLY VINCI MOLLY BAKER

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

NEWS

Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor-in-Chief Digital Editor News Editor News Editor Opinion Editor Opinion Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Culture Editor Sports Editor Sports Editor Copy Desk Chief

MICHAEL BRADLEY Advisor DEENA SMITH Advisor CONTACT villanovan.eic@gmail.com

Harassment/Repeated Communication October 21 Whole Campus A University employee reported harassing behavior by another employee.

Theft of Services October 20 Main Lot Garage Resident-student exited the I-1 garage without paying the parking fee.

Receiving Stolen Property/Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition October 20 Falvey Library A faculty member reported a theft of personal property. The amount of the loss was $250.00. A male resident student was found in possession of the property and admitted to the theft.

Sexual Assault October 23 Stanford Hall A female resident student reported being sexually assaulted on campus by a known male resident student.

Liquor Underage, Public Dunkenness October 21 Sheehan Hall A female resident student, under the age of 21, appeared in public and was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

Liquor Underage/Public Drunkenness October 24 Stanford Hall A female resident student, under the age of 21, was evaluated for alcohol intoxication.

CORRECTIONS

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

COVID-19 TRACKER Confirmed Cumulative Cases as of 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 26

228

Cumulative Cases (from 8/17)

129

Residential Students

12 14.76K

Estimated Active Total Number of Cases Tests (from 8/17)

72

Non-Residential Students

Continued from p.1 fostering connections and facilitating collaborative discovery and cross-disciplinary advances.”

The discussion that began this process was held between engineering administrators, faculty, staff and students. Getting input from all different parts of the community allowed the plan for the expansion to address all areas of need.

Those needs address and uphold the values of the engineering community, making the space a palace for hands-on learning, team building and problem solving learning. The blueprints for the future CEER building will keep it a community based space with the placement of offices and design for classrooms to allow for collaborative areas and cross-disciplinary advances.

27

Employees

ASK THE VILLANOVAN “What’s a good couple’s costume?”

Honestly if you’re planning this late, you’ll have to take whatever you can get at Spirit Halloween. However, if you can manage we’d highly recommend Shrek and Princess Fiona. Send us pics, of course.

“Do I send courts or study for school?”

Obviously the former. Not even a question. Academics are only temporary. Memories made at courts last forever.

“How do I tell my friend that i saw the guy she likes CHOOSING to use the default font on google docs aka Ariel size 11?? Everyone knows that’s the sign of a serial killer!! If it isn’t the classy times new Roman 12, we can’t have it.”

Personally, we prefer Baskerville, but regardless this is a massive red flag. Tell her straight up, she can only get hurt by this monster.

“Where is the best place for underclassmen to go out for birthday dinners?”

Xolo’s Tacos, El Limon and The Grog are all fine establishments. If you want to go somewhere fancy, we’d recommend LaScala’s Fire or White Dog Cafe.

“Hoops Mania performer prediction?”

Some say Lil Baby, some say Megan Thee Stallion, some say Migos.... but if Pitbull shows up in The Finn my life will be absolutely made.

The notice sent out to the student body included a list of highlights of the renovation which were the following:

A 63% increase in overall teaching and research lab space, including 11 interdisciplinary research clusters grouped by theme

State of the art, flexible instruction spaces able to accommodate various class formats, such as small discussions, labs, project-based learning and large lectures

Significant increases and improvements to office and computing space for doctoral and master’s students

A community space in the heart of the building for all Villanovans to gather, study and learn

These additions to the building will be beneficial to the engineer-

The CEER expansion will include a 2-story Innovation Lab. Courtesy of Villanova University

The CEER expansion will include a 2-story Innovation Lab. Courtesy of Villanova University

ing students and faculty, along with spaces any student on campus could take advantage of. The students in the engineering school will have new classrooms and lab spaces for more learning opportunities and have the ability to have all of the engineering offices located in the same building.

“This important project will allow the College’s facilities to match the impressive achievements and contributions of our Engineering faculty, staff, students and alumni,” said Michele

Marcolongo, PhD, Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering.

“Interdisciplinary collaboration is a key aspect of the engineering experience at Villanova and this transformation will create even more opportunities for formal and informal partnerships. The project will add new state-of-the-art instruction spaces for team-based ‘learning by doing’ and will expand our research facilities in ways that will foster collaboration among disciplines.”

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

NEWS

The Villanovan | 3

University Hosts Student-Run Pop-up Thrift Shop Cate McCusker Co-Editor in Chief

The first ever Wildcat Thrift, a student-run pop-up thrift shop, was a huge success this past week.

The event was held on Friday afternoon under the tent next to Driscoll Hall. Organizations, such as PSP, AXO, KKG, PiKapp, and individuals were able to buy tables to sell their vintage clothing.

Overall, $1,200 was raised for various charities, including Women’s Heart Health, Breast Cancer Awareness, The Laurel House, The Ability Experience, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, Eden Reforestation Project and Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.

After the event concluded, Catholic Relief Services handled the clean up and donated around 300 pieces of leftover clothing to a local thrift shop.

Senior Emily Jaenicke and the Student Sustainability Committee were the masterminds behind this operation. Jaenicke came up with the idea last year after seeing an article about flea markets at USC.

“I’m an environmental science major with an interest in fashion,” Jaenicke said. “In the future, I want to go the sustainability of consumer goods route. It’s

something I’ve been interested in for a while. Last year, I was talking to my friend Gillen Curren, who is on the student sustainability committee, about starting something like this. She helped me reach out to Liesel Schwartz, and over the summer, we had a few meetings about it. At the start of the school

year, Gillen, Liesel, and Maggie Cavanaugh, who is a part of the Student Sustainability Committee, and I got the logistics rolling.”

“I was really nervous. It’s the first of its kind at Villanova, a student-run thrift shop built by students for student profit and philanthropy as well.”

Wildcat Thrift was the first ever student-run pop-up thrift shop at Villanova.

Courtesy of Emily Jenick

But there was no need for nerves. The thrift shop ran smoothly, with hundreds of students in attendance and a line out of the tent. Jaenicke was happy with how the event went.

“My favorite part was seeing my friends come,” Jaenicke said. “It was great to see the passion and understanding from my friends who usually aren’t interested in that kind of stuff. It was fun to see other people excited about something that you’re really passionate about.”

Junior Julia Micklo, who purchased a few shirts and a pair of Converse sneakers, enjoyed her experience at the Wildcat Thrift.

“I think it was a really awesome idea, and I’m glad I came,” Micklo said. “The vendors were all super friendly and had a lot of good items for sale. I love my purchases and I’m so excited to show them off.”

The most important question is: when will it happen again?

“It’s definitely going to happen next year, but we are hoping to have it again next semester,” Jaenicke said.

“One thing that was missing, unfortunately, was boys’ clothing. Zach Ruth from Villanova Vintage and PiKapp both did a great job, but next year we are definitely going to have some more guys involved, because sustainability is everyone’s issue.”

Campus Activities Team Hosts Oktoberfest Celebration Garrett Whitton Staff Writer

Who would have ever thought that beer and college would actually mix well together?

Oktoberfest is an annual German folk festival that lasts 16-18 days, beginning in late September and ending on the first Sunday of October. More than six million people worldwide make the trip to Munich, Germany, to see the various parades, hear the local music, eat the cultural food, and drink a lot of beer.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, university students got a taste of what this event is like and all the beer and pretzels that come with it. The Campus Activities Team (CAT) organized and hosted an Oktoberfest-themed celebration for those older than 21 years old at the Driscoll Hall tent adjacent to the tennis courts. It is part of CAT’s new Pub Series, which began last year to keep students from partying off-campus during the Covid-19 pandemic. While the pandemic appears to be dissipating, Club President Grace Pawelczyk says CAT is still hosting the series for seniors this year to foster a sense of community.

“It’s been like hard with this past year. You know with like seniors we really want to make sure that their experience is the best that it can be, and i feel like having senior-specific events is a great way to do that,” said Pawelczyk.

CAT uploaded an Instagram post regarding the event and

told people where they could get a ticket. Once received via email, tickets granted students entry after waiting in a line of about 100, most of whom were seniors trying to take advantage of what the university offers before they graduate.

“I think that as seniors, it’s a good way for us, not really know each other, but get to see all the faces that we haven’t seen before.

Like, there’s like at least ten or twenty people in this tent that I have never seen before, but it’s just kinda like nice to know who are the people we’re graduating with,” said senior Jaylene Joseph.

Upon entry, student volunteers wrapped participants’ wrists with a pink, plastic event wristband with three tabs attached to its side. Each tab was numbered

CAT organized and hosted an Oktoberfest-themed celebration.

Courtesy of Villanova University Campus Activities Team (CAT)

and used as drink vouchers to ensure all students had a maximum of three drinks. Next, more team members invited the students to make their way over to the food table, where they picked up a plastic beer stein that had the CAT Pub Series logo printed on it.

After, they were served a bratwurst — a type of German sausage — along with sauerkraut, a scoop of macaroni and cheese, and a giant pretzel with cheese sauce draped over it. Once they got their food, students stepped over to the makeshift bar to spend the first of their three tabs. At it, a local bartender from La Cabra Brewing offered a drink from a tap that included a few beers, a cider, and a seltzer.

Students eventually spent their remaining tabs throughout the event.

As more students got their meals and beverages, others began sitting down at tables that spanned the length of the tent. Before the event, CAT had decorated the venue with party lights, Oktoberfest pennants and lanterns, and a board that students could stick their faces through to look like they were wearing traditional Oktoberfest lederhosen for a photo-op. They also had games and activities planned and encouraged all the students to play or cheer on their classmates. All this enhanced the atmosphere and camaraderie among those in attendance.

Even though people may not be able to fly to Germany right now, students can thank the pandemic for more senior events at the university and CAT for conveniently bringing Munich to Villanova, Pennsylvania.

4 | The Villanovan

NEWS

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Campus Experiences Break-Ins and Burglaries over Fall Break Kathryn Fair Staff Writer

Students were surprised to receive an email over Fall Break regarding multiple recent burglary and theft incidents on and near campus. On Oct. 15, Villanova Public Safety sent an email to students and staff notifying them of the nature of the incidents, as well as tips to stay as safe as possible while on campus.

The message detailed that the first incident took place on Sept. 29, in which an unlocked vehicle was stolen from the I-1 garage on Ithan Avenue. The vehicle was found later in the day in Philadelphia, and it was discovered that a male juvenile that is not affiliated with the University committed the theft. Four other students reported items were stolen from their cars in the same parking lot at approximately the same time that the vehicle was stolen. In the email, Public Safety purports that “All of the vehicle-related thefts are considered related, as property from those thefts was recovered from the same stolen vehicle.”

When asked about parking garage safety, junior Carlie Brady described, “I have left my car key under the tire of my car before going for a run on campus.

After these recent incidents, I will

always ensure my car is locked, and I will ensure to carry it while running.”

The second incident described in the message took place in the Stop-N-Shop Shell Gas Station at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Spring Mill Road (next to Campus Corner).

Overnight on Oct. 13, an unknown person(s) burglarized the gas station. Radnor Police are still investigating this incident.

Finally, a burglary occurred on campus on Oct. 14 at 11:50 p.m. An unidentified person entered a residence hall room on the first floor of Good Counsel Hall.

The room was vacant since the incident occurred over fall break, and the residents of the room have been notified. The burglar acquired access to the dorm room via an unlocked window on the first floor, and it is unknown at this time if anything was taken.

Only one room was entered during the incident. The subject is seen on security footage in the lobby of Good Counsel Hall, and a photo was attached to the email sent to faculty and students.

Furthermore, the message states that “this incident is currently under investigation by the Villanova University Police, who are being assisted by crime scene personnel from the Pennsylvania State Police.”

Gwynn Mak, a junior living on the first floor of Jackson Hall explained, “I made sure all of the windows in my apartment were locked before leaving for break, and now I’m glad I always remember to do that.”

She appreciates that many RAs tell their students to lock their doors and windows since the incident could have happened to any student on the first floor of a dorm.

Isabella Bruck expressed concern about how many students use tape to keep their door from locking. This can be dangerous

since anyone can walk into these dorm rooms. She feels that Public Safety should monitor the status of each door’s lock to ensure students are keeping themselves and their belongings safe.

In response to these incidents, the University has increased police patrols in the area, enhancing CCTV security coverage in the area and assessing the need for additional safety and security measures. Students and faculty hope that these precautions will maintain safety on the University’s campus and anticipate that similar incidents will not reoccur.

Good Counsel Hall was one of the resident buildings broken into.

Courtesy of Villanova University

Christian Missionaries Kidnapped in Haiti

Jack Matthews Staff Writer

Seventeen Christian missionaries were kidnapped by Haitian gang members on Oct. 16.

Four hundred Mawozo, one of the country’s most notorious gangs, claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and demanded a ransom of $17 million dollars, $1 million for each person in the group.

Sixteen of the 17 victims were American with one Canadian and included several children under the age of 18, as well as an eight-month-old infant. The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage when the attack took place.

All were from the Ohiobased Christian Aid Ministries, who posted a message on their website saying, “Civil authorities in Haiti and the United States are aware of what has happened and are offering assistance. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are in earnest prayer.”

The kidnapping comes in the wake of a sharp rise in violent crime in Haiti, caused by an increase in gang membership and a collapse in government power as a result of the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse in July of this year.

According to a United Nations report, these gangs control large amounts of land across the country, including at least half of

the capital Port-au-Prince, which has caused massive fuel and supply shortages as well as stretching an already thin police force. In many cases, police officers and security personnel are actively on the payroll of these gangs, giving them free rein to terrorize citizens and grow their influence.

Four hundred Mawozo, the gang responsible for the attack, has reportedly been responsible for at least 80% of the kidnappings in the country. The group also carries out murders, carjackings and extortion in and around the capital.

The leader of the gang, Wilson Joseph, is wanted by the Haitian government and has several active warrants for his arrest.

In a video recorded last year, Joseph can be seen saying, “I know you national police are scared of me, and you better be, I have bullets to shoot for a year.”

He threatened to kill the missionaries if the ransom is not paid.

The FBI is on the scene in Haiti working with local security forces to devise a plan to free the captives. However, National Police Chief Leon Charles resigned from his post after Joseph posted a video blaming him for the death of several gang members and promising to “pour blood.”

White House deputy press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre promised that the Biden administration will do “everything that we can to help resolve the situation,”

regarding helping Haiti bolster the ability to combat the rampant gang violence but added that “it’s a very challenging and long-term process. We’re focused on it, but it is absolutely essential that this security dynamic changes if Haiti is going to make real progress.”

The situation in Haiti has raised concerns that the Caribbean nation might turn into a failed state, an outcome that could have disastrous effects on the surrounding region, as well as on its own

people.

Many blame the 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and caused countless more to flee the country.

Gangs quickly filled the void left by the ineffective government and have only grown their power in the past decade. This latest incident, though perhaps one of the most audacious examples in the last few years, simply highlights the depths of the many crises Haiti and its people face.

Armed forces secure an area for Haiti’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, at a memorial.

Courtesy of AP News, Odelyn Joseph

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The Villanovan | 5

NEWS

Colin Powell, First Black Secretary of State, Dies of COVID-19 Complications Lydia McFarlane Staff Writer

On Monday, Oct. 18, Colin Powell passed away after years of service to the United States. Powell was a retired four-star general for the nation’s military who then went on to be the nation’s first Black Secretary of State, during the Bush administration, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

His death, due to complications of the coronavirus, was announced via a Facebook statement made by his family.

He was fully vaccinated against COVID-19. However, at the age of 84 and with serious underlying medical conditions, he was unable to overcome the coronavirus infection and lost his battle Monday after being treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center. He had myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the body’s immune response, and Parkinson’s disease.

“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family said.

Powell leaves behind an impressive life and an incredible legacy as one of the most powerful and respected Black men in American politics. He was born in Harlem, NY in 1937 to Jamaican immigrants. After college, he served two tours in the Vietnam War.

Rising through the ranks, he quickly became a respected general within the army. This

respect and fame led him to be appointed as President Ronald Reagan’s final National Security Advisor and later to be chosen by President H.W. Bush to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In the early 2000s, he was the younger Bush’s first choice to his Cabinet as Secretary of State and was quickly approved by the Senate. He enjoyed high approval ratings and was well liked by political leaders of both parties.

Powell was never committed to partisanship and found himself voting and working for both parties at different points in his life, although he worked primarily for Republican administrations.

At the beginning of 2021, Powell said in an interview, “I’m just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my entire career. And right now, I’m just watching my country and not concerned with parties.”

Powell can be said to be a true leader, unconcerned with bipartisan issues and more focused on the work he was doing for the people of the United States.

Across political party barriers, he was respected and wellknown, which is a testament to his commitment to the nation and its people. Former President Bush said of Powell’s flexibility and respect across several presidencies,

“Many presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience. He was such a favorite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man

and a friend.”

The announcement of Powell’s death has been met with an outpouring of love, grief and well wishes to his family from prominent former and current American political figures alike.

President Joe Biden said in a statement regarding Powell’s death, “Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity. From his front-seat view of history, advising presidents and shaping our nation’s policies, Colin led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. Time and again, he put country before self, before

party, before all else -- in uniform and out -- and it earned him the universal respect of the American people.”

In addition to being an important political figure, he was also a trailblazer and a tremendous mentor to politicians of color who followed in his footsteps. The nation’s current Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin, said of Powell’s death, “He always made time for me and I could always go to him with tough issues. He always had great counsel. We will certainly miss him.”

Austin recently made history himself as the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary, making Powell an excellent mentor and role model for him. Powell’s death marked a sad day in American history, as we as citizens have to say goodbye to a trailblazer and political great.

Powell was a four-star general in the nation’s military.

Courtesy of Getty Images, Leif Skoogfors

Jury Selection Underway for Murder Trial in Ahmaud Arbery’s Killing Alexandra Spath Staff Writer

Jury selection is underway for the trial of three white men charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, in Brunswick, Georgia in February 2020. Arbery’s death was one of several last year that sparked a wave of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country.

The three accused are Travis McMichael, his father Gregory McMichael and their family friend and neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan.

The father and son claimed they suspected Arbery may have been responsible for burglaries in their neighborhood, but police have found no such link. The McMichaels tried to stop Arbery while he was out on a jog, and a fight subsequently broke out, during which Arbery was shot three times with a shotgun.

Bryan joined the McMichaels in chasing Arbery and allegedly hit Arbery with his truck.

He was present for the killing and filmed it on his phone.

The three men were al-

lowed to walk away from the scene and weren’t arrested until early May 2020, when the video Bryan captured was made public. This disturbing video is expected to play a major role in the trial.

In Georgia state court, the three face charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, malice and felony murder. They have also been indicted on federal hate crime and attempted kidnapping charges. The Department of Justice has accused the men of targeting Arbery because of his race.

They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Travis McMichael’s attorney has said the defendants were trying to detain Arbery under Georgia’s former citizen’s arrest law and they killed Arbery in self-defense when he tried to take possession of Travis’s gun.

Jacquelyn Johnson, the district attorney who failed to prosecute the killing, has been voted out of office and indicted on charges of violating her oath of public officer and obstructing a police officer. She has been accused of favoring Gregory McMichael, who was previously employed in her office.

Since Arbery’s killing,

the Georgia state legislature has passed the state’s first hate crimes statute and repealed the citizen’s arrest law.

The case of Arbery’s killing has been highly publicized, sparked outrage across the nation, and rocked the coastal Georgia community in which it took place.

Given this widespread impact and controversy, court officials are finding it challenging to find twelve jurors and four alternates who don’t know the defendants or the victim and who are undecided about the case.

Many prospective jurors who were questioned Monday expressed negative views on the defendants. One thousand potential jurors have been summoned for the trial, 10 times the average number. The jury selection could take more than two weeks.

The trial is expected to involve controversial and personal issues for jurors, including questions of race, guns, and “stand your ground” self-defense laws.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys have been debating to what extent potential jurors should be questioned about their opinions on race and issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement and

the display of the Confederate flag.

Such questions may be relevant in determining the impartiality of a potential juror, considering the role accusations of racism will play during the trial.

The murder trial comes six months after another legal reckoning with race, when former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted in the death of George Floyd and sentenced to 22 1⁄2 years in prison. Many see the Arbery case as another test of how the justice system treats Black Americans.

Protesters gather for Ahamud’s trial.

Courtesy of Getty Images

6 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

OPINION

The Problem with Public Safety’s Parking Misconduct Andrew Portas Staff Writer Continued from p.1

one picture depicts a Public Safety vehicle neatly parked in the middle of a handicapped spot with a “Violators will be subject to fine and towing” sign ironically noticeable in the background.

Anna Schmult, a senior at Villanova who took and submitted the aforementioned photo to the account claims that “it was taken on a Saturday at 7 p.m., and the entire rest of the parking lot was empty.”

“Another issue I’ve seen is over by Tolentine, where the officers on duty in the guard booth park their personal vehicles by the building in that striped off area near the handicapped spot,” Schmult said.

One of the department’s primary duties is to prevent the very activity they actively engage in. Operating above University policy and the law only encourages and condones similar behavior.

“There aren’t enough parking spots to begin with, and Pub Safety will regularly take up two spots at a time or park in illegal areas,” junior Andrew McSheffrey said.

If the student body doesn’t hold the authority to ticket Public Safety vehicles themselves, what can we do? Spreading awareness is an important first step. Social media posts by students have already documented the issue as legitimate and widespread. The owner of the account, @ villanovash*ttyparking, who’s asked to remain anonymous, claims they had “started the account for some fun, but also had hoped to actually make some positive change.”

Public safety vehicle spotted parking within a handicapped spot.

Courtesy of Anna Schmult

In a statement to The Villanovan, Villanova University Assistant Vice President of Communication, Jonathan Gust said, “the Department of Public Safety recognizes the importance of maintaining adequate ADA parking on campus, and they are committed to addressing issues regarding misuse of these spaces,” once they receive reported complaints about this issue. He also emphasized that it is “helpful to know background information on the situation” and that there may be medical emergencies that require officers to, “park and get into a building quickly to respond.”

It’s important to report these instances to Public Safety so they can gain more insight into the situation

and understand the context. Gust encouraged students to submit an Internal Complaint Investigation via the Department of Public Safety’s website if they witness potential misconduct.

This may be done by filling out the Make a Complaint Form online, emailing the Director of Public Safety at david.tedjeske@villanova.edu or calling the department’s office at 610519-5800.

In addition to reporting a complaint via Public Safety, other outlets can be employed to alert the school of widespread misconduct.

Students may protest to the Student Government Association (SGA) by submitting anonymous requests in writing through their box in the

Connelly Center. The Department of Public Safety ought to be scrutinized by us Villanovans in order to ensure they execute the responsibility of “providing a safe, secure living and learning environment for the community.” Unlawful parking is a direct threat to fellow Villanovans and it is crucial that we hold one another accountable, especially the department in which we entrust to protect us from offenders. The responsibility now lies upon the Department of Public Safety and Villanova’s administration to put an end to this unlawful misconduct. They must set a standard that operating above the law and contradictory to our communities’ values will not be tolerated on campus.

Sexual Assault on SEPTA and Impact on Student Safety Isabella Balian Staff Writer

On October 13th, on a SEPTA train traveling westbound on the Market-Frankford Line, a woman was sexually assaulted while riders watched and failed to intervene.

Officials identified the perpetrator as Fistan Ngoy, who attempted to touch the woman a few times over the course of about 45 minutes before he became increasingly more aggressive.

The aggressive assault lasted approximately eight minutes, and the reported 10 passengers in the train car failed to call 911, or physically intervene in the situation. The attack was eventually stopped by an off-duty transportation authority policeman, who got on the train and called 911. From there, a police officer arrived and took the man into custody. After the attack, the woman was taken to the hospital and worked with police officers to describe what had happened to her.

As a Villanova student who often rides the SEPTA, I have never experienced such harassment happening. However, as a young woman, I am not surprised at this recent attack.

It is often unsafe for women to travel alone on public transportation due to the risk of cat-calling, trafficking, assault and other forms of violation.

The treatment of this woman by Ngoy was extremely unacceptable and now creates a fear for women riding the SEPTA daily.

Ngoy, who is a 35 year old homeless man, was charged with rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault without consent, among other crimes, according to court records. He was formerly arrested and convicted under at least three names in Washington D.C, Philadelphia and suburban Southeastern Pennsylvania for public intoxication, defecating or urinating in public, public disturbance and other charges.

In 2017, while living in a homeless shelter in Washington D.C, he pleaded guilty to charges of misdemeanor sexual abuse; police report that he groped two women on the street. Ngoy is currently being held at Delaware County Prison on 10% of $180,000 bail and is working with a Delaware County Public Defender Attorney Mary Elizabeth Welch.

It is important to note that bystanders on the train recorded the attack but did not intervene could be criminally charged depending on the county district attorney office’s decision after the investigation. However, the spokeswoman for the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Margie McAboy, reported that, “It’s still an open investigation, but there is

no expectation at this time that we will charge passengers.”

Agreeing with McAboy, superintendent of the Upper Darby Township Police Department, Mr. Bernhardt, admitted that Pennsylvania does not have a strong Good Samaritan law and that it would be very difficult to bring charges against those who witnessed the attack but did not intervene. Reflecting on the psychological and social aspects of the bystanders actions, Bernhardt said, “I’m appalled by those who did nothing to help this woman. Anybody that was on that train has to look in the mirror and ask why they didn’t intervene or why they didn’t do something.”

I believe Bernhardt’s statement accurately questions the morality of our modern society and criticizes the inaction of the people.

The bystander effect also comes into play, which is the psychological theory that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present. I understand the psychological reasoning behind the hesitation to intervene.

However, I believe that the struggle of this woman would have urged me to immediately intervene.

SEPTA reported that incidents of sexual assault are usually rare and that most crimes on the train observed are usually theft and robbery.

Despite the rareness of sexual assault on SEPTA trains, that is it not to say it doesn’t happen and should not be looked out for. Society must understand that sexual assault is a major overlooked issue that causes lasting trauma for anyone affected, regardless of gender.

Villanova’s campus holds two SEPTA stops: one on West Campus and one on South Campus. Using SEPTA as a form of transportation is considered an easy and relatively inexpensive way for students, faculty and staff to leave campus and navigate Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area.

Many of my peers and I find ourselves taking advantage of the access to the SEPTA trains on campus. I have taken the train to go into Philadelphia, to go into surrounding towns like Ardmore and to go to and from the airport during break. The SEPTA is supposed to be a safe and reliable form of transportation, but instances of sexual assault and theft are always at risk as a young female traveling alone.

I firmly believe that these instances of discrimination and sexual assault towards women must end immediately. We must create an environment where women feel safe to travel by themselves and end the possibility of being sexually assaulted.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

OPINION

EDITORIAL BOARD

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

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

CATE McCUSKER Editor-in-Chief JACK ROBERGE MADISON BURKE TINA ARON VIVI MELKONIAN

The Villanovan | 7

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.

White Pants Should Stay After Labor Day

mattress in the middle of a lake in “Parent Trap” to Diane Keaton giggling on the beach with Jack Nicolson in “Something’s Gotta

We’ve all heard one of Give.” White pants are effortlessfashion’s oldest and most outdated ly brilliant, and these women are myths: “Do not, under any cirjust two beloved figures to prove cumstances, wear white pants after it. With white shoes and “winter Labor Day.” whites” now entering the market

According to Harper’s in droves, whites are becoming a Bazaar, though it is unclear who cherished and desirable cold-teminvented this fashion rule, it is perature staple. Kendall Jenner believed to have originated among in her wooden-heel white booties, the wealthy in 19th century Amer- Selena Gomez in her classic blockica as a way for the upper class to heeled cream boots and Gigi Haddistinguish themselves from the id in her white sock boots during “burgeoning nouveau riche.” Only the chilliest months are paving the those who could afford to wear way for a new age in fashion. But white would, and as upper-class the question of where pants fit Americans escaped the heat of the into the picture remains hazy and city to the clean, airy seaside or uncertain for the world of fashion. countryside for the summer, white If shoes are welcomed, why clothes became a sign of sepaare pants banished for months, ration from industrialized urban only to return when this baseless areas. rule deems acceptable? It is time

Celebrities have historical- to stop asking if it is okay to wear ly made a show of wearing white white pants after Labor Day, and pants in a radiant way, from Mere- it is time to start celebrating this dith Blake waking up on a blowup wondrous year-round staple. You Molly Carriero Staff Writer

may find that they are just as important as any other staple in your closet, and you may just discover they work even better in cold temperatures than they do by the ocean. So here is my ode to you, white pants.

You are delicate and fragile, and you stain with the ease of a touch. But oh, white pants, how I love you so. You go with everything, and I can wear you a million times. You create something different each time I put you on, and you pair easily with the rest of my cold-winter wardrobe. You are effortlessly chic when paired with a black top, presenting a perfect Jackie Kennedy moment.

You serve fall vibes with brown boots and a neutral jacket, and then strike again for holiday cheer and winter days with chunky knits and sleek coats. In the summer months, you are airy and light with a strappy tank and sandy flip flops. You are striking and daring, but a staple, nonetheless. Though I love my favorite blue jeans and

sweatpants, they simply cannot do what you do. You are a luxury life hack, there for me day or night.

You are a clean slate for any winter wardrobe. And for that, an ode to you, white pants.

“No matter the season, I think white jeans should always be a closet staple. Who said there should be rules when it comes to fashion?” said Caroline Summers, a Madewell Influencer and business student at Villanova.

If you are looking to add to your white pant wardrobe this season, here are some places to start:

For Eco-friendly options, check out Baldwin, Reformation, ABLE or Genetic Los Angeles.

Anthropologie: Pilcro The Cigarette Slim Straight Jeans $128.00 Madewell: The Perfect Vintage Jean in Tile White $79.99 Zara: ZW The High Waist Culottes Jeans $49.90 Zara: Z1975 Flared Jeans $45.90 ASOS: Noisy May Mom Jeans in white $60.00

The Return of the Desperately Missed Fall Break Jacob Artz Staff Writer

Everyone needed fall break.

With exams, projects and assignments piling up and hours of sleep waning, this break came at the perfect time. The fall break allowed students to explore various avenues of relaxation afforded by the generosity of the University.

The fall break on Villanova’s academic calendar started after students’ last classes on Thursday, Oct. 7 or Friday, Oct. 8. For half of the school, this is the first experience of fall break, as first year students were not at the University last year and sophomores were denied fall break due to the changed academic calendar because of the pandemic. The break was amazing for me because this was my first fall break in two years.

I thoroughly enjoy the breaks during the semester, especially the fall break, for various reasons. These reasons included having time to relax, seeing family and a significant other, playing golf, commentating for my alma mater’s football games and going out with friends. I am a huge sports fan, and this is the best time to have a week off to watch two weekends of the National Football League and college football, Major League Baseball playoffs and attend high school football games.

Other students enjoyed their breaks in grander or quieter ways. Some students traveled to the country music capital of the world,

Nashville, to enjoy the nightlife and the scenes of the city that feels like a southern town. Others elected to travel to the sin city of Las Vegas to experience the bright lights of the Strip, the casinos and the beautiful views of the western desert. Many students chose to go home and relax with family, while others went on friend trips or stayed on campus.

These trips to famous cities, traveling home to see family and friends, going on friend trips or relaxing on campus would not be possible without the thoughtfulness of the academic community at the school. The collective student population missed the breaks last year, and everyone, including faculty, staff and students, realized we needed a break during the grind of the semester. The break was not just a nice gesture from the University but a needed recharge for students, staff and faculty from a mental and physical standpoint.

The community is fortunate to enjoy the fall break since other Universities do not offer them or only offer partial breaks. For example, Pennsylvania State University and Temple University only offer short breaks attached to Thanksgiving. A partial break is offered at Seton Hall University, where students got off on the same day we did, but they had to go back the following Tuesday to start classes on Wednesday. Why not just give the students a whole week off at that point?

Villanova timed this break perfectly. Students are pushed to their limit with exams, group proj-

Many Villanova students visited Nashville, Tennessee during Fall Break.

Courtesy of Sarah Wisniewski

ects, quizzes and presentations that are jammed right before the break.

Of course, we all hate the week or two preceding break because there are too many commitments and not enough time to complete them.

However, we are all motivated by the light at the end of the tunnel and the relaxation that comes with it.

The only gripe I had with break is the amount of schoolwork I was assigned during the week off. I understand that our professors desire to continue our learning for the next week of classes, or maybe it is just the fact that I like to get ahead, but I had to set aside a couple of hours from Tuesday to Sunday to complete all of the reading and assignments laid out on the syllabus.

Another aspect that break can provide is the delicious home cooked meals that our families provide us. I am not here to critique the dining halls, but we all know that the meals can be hit or miss. The opportunity home provides is to request meals that our parents cook, and we are able to converse with them about our experiences at college.

Whether you were looking forward to the sporting events like I was, going to concerts or relaxing with family, this fall break felt the best out of all of them I had so far.

It has been a busy semester for us all, and we all needed a break to make sure we can attack the second half of the semester with increased vigor.

8 | The Villanovan

OPINION

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Let’s Be Honest, Blackboard Needs An Upgrade Carter Smith Staff Writer

Beginning my freshman year of high school, Veracross was introduced as our learning management software. I had attended this school since kindergarten, and this introduction required me to get used to an entirely new way of keeping track of work. But, I soon resolved that Veracross was an incredibly helpful tool.

When I got to Villanova and began using Blackboard, I thought the software looked rather strange and unwieldy, but I passed it off as simple unfamiliarity. Two months on from that moment, I believe that was a misjudgment.

Blackboard is the most dated, awfully laid out and difficult piece of software that I have ever used in my life.

Just logging in is such a throwback to the 1990s, it gives me whiplash. The grey boxes on each side of the screen scream mis-sized screen ratio; and the low pixel-count logout and profile drop-down menus look like something I would see on a G3 iMac. The site just needs a nice visual refresh to bring it into the 2020s.

Speaking of a visual refresh, Blackboard simply needs to

be easier to navigate.

Veracross has a calendar at the top of the screen when you first log in, which displays all your assignments on the day they were due and measures a week out and each of your classes are listed below that with your current grade, and an easy button to find all your assignment grades. A menu bar resides at the top of the screen for easy navigation to school resources like the academic calendar and directory.

Blackboard has no such things. Everything is contained in same-looking category boxes with uniform text. The courses are listed, but I have to click through a couple of menus to simply find my grades, and there is nowhere on the portal which lists all my assignments in one place.

Categories like the VU Tech Zone tweets, Blackboard policy and CATS do not seem to be needed on the home screen. I mainly use Blackboard to quickly check on upcoming assignments or grades, neither of which are easy to find–and they need to be.

You think the website is bad? Well you ain’t seen nothing yet. The app is even worse. The first thing I see upon log-in is the announcement stream, which because announcements get sent out as emails, is completely irrelevant.

In order to find my assignments, I must click through: Main Menu, Courses, Name of Course, Course Content, Some kind of assignment folder. I should be able to see them much quicker than that. The most useful things are buried under a truckload of menus, which makes the app incredibly heavy.

I also take issue with how grades are displayed. I do not think anybody cares about how many points they have in the gradebook. We students don’t want to do the math in our heads.

Just show us the letter or percent, not points. It is displayed under grades, but that requires sorting through an additional menu. You already calculate it Blackboard, just show it.

It is not just students who find Blackboard infuriating. Professors do too. In my Survey of Communication Studies class, my professor, Jared Bishop, has substituted Microsoft Teams for Blackboard, citing in an interview that Blackboard is too clumsy and inflexible for a Communication class. Teams allows you to customize it based on what kind of organization you are using it in, while Blackboard offers zero customizability.

We also discussed how Blackboard lacks the ability to effectively communicate with your

professor and classmates. Teams makes this incredibly easy because you can chat with anybody in your class, almost exactly like you would with iMessage or Snapchat, including your teacher, which makes it much easier for you to ask questions and for them to respond in a timely manner.

There is also a discussion board feature which is much smoother and easier regarding the creation of new threads and replying to your classmates. You also don’t need to go through your teacher to get your classmates’ contact information or chat with them on-platform. There is also one dedicated place for files and assignments so no need to search through many different categories to find what you are looking for.

At the end of our conversation we concluded that in order for Blackboard to be worth using, it would need to have a modernized visual refresh that is simpler to navigate and places necessary information like grades and assignments on the front page, and it needs to shore up its communication aspects.

Although, those kinds of changes are likely out of the scope of Villanova’s ability to input, so we theorized that the best decision would be to fully switch to a better software, Teams or otherwise.

Opinion: Villanova Should Have a Tik Tok Account

applicants and hype around the University.

TikTok is a place where many college students go to unwind at the end of the day and

TikTok has taken the world have a laugh or two. If Villanova by storm. For the past few years, got an account, current students the app has grown massively in would enjoy seeing the ins and popularity, amassing one billion outs of campus life, documentausers worldwide and 130 million tion of events that they missed users in the United States alone. to recap them on the action and

Social media has become potentially being featured on the an integral part of our lives. account. As we always say at the Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter University, it could also build a have all been around for a while unique online community that stuand can be scrolled through on dents could engage with and talk occasion during the day. Howevabout with their friends. er, TikTok is newer, exciting and

Think of all the possibilimuch more apt to endless scrolling ties for content on TikTok: A Day for hours. in the Life, Question & Answers,

So I wonder now, why TikTok dance trends, Will D. Cat doesn’t Villanova have an official pranking students, Orientation TikTok account? What is stopping recap, Special Olympics coverage, the University from creating a new club highlights, advice from curpage on the extremely popular rent students, behind the scenes of app? the basketball team and so much

As I researched Villanova’s more. The possibilities are endless, presence on TikTok, I came across and each day we spend without a few accounts affiliated with TikTok is a social media app created to share videos, amassing 130 million U.S. users. an account is another day without clubs on campus, such as VillanoCourtesy of Vulture creative and engaging content. va Television, Blue Key and The

We could have different known for being light-hearted and to.

Villanovan. I scrolled through the students running the account week

As high school seniors, funny, there is a sense of profesaccounts and found many videos by week, encouraging diverse sionalism when it comes to having applying to college is overwhelmwith thousands of views, engageexperiences by students in each of an account on the app. If Villano- ing and scary. Seeing colleges and the different schools. Prospective ment in the comments and hununiversities post about all they dreds of followers. Although these va were to create an official acstudents could look at these short have to offer on campus helps count, we may be seen as a more accounts are great starting points videos, be inspired by the good ease tension and build excitement times we have here at Villanova in-touch, exciting and genuine for the University’s existence on for a potential applicant’s future. university.

TikTok, we need to have an offiand apply. The more applicants When I think back to when An Instagram account, Twitter cial account for the school in order and buzz that Villanova gets, the profile, website or brochure can to truly make our presence known I applied to colleges in late 2019, better students we will draw into TikTok was just beginning to gain only do so much when finding out our community. to the world. about what goes on at a college.

Why does this even matter? traction in the United States. If

There’s no risk, so why not Having a TikTok account will help do it? Villanova needs a TikTok a school popped up on my “For What good will having a TikTok the University capture more than You” page as I scrolled through account do for Villanova? For account as soon as possible. Who just the basics of what goes on. I the app, it would draw interest one, it will catch us up to other knows: we may start popping up truly believe that if Villanova got a on “For You” pages across the and maybe even influence which colleges and universities around TikTok, it would start to see more world. schools my friends and I applied the country. Although TikTok is Joe Adams Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The Villanovan | 9

OPINION

Fall Break Burglaries: How Safe is our Campus?

Loghan Hirkey Staff Writer

While most students were away on fall break this past week, the University and the surrounding area were subject to two concerning burglary incidents. According to the Radnor Police, on Oct. 13 at around 2 a.m., the Villanova Stop and Shop on Lancaster Avenue was burglarized. The video surveillance showed two white males stealing money and cigarettes from the store. Law Enforcement is still investigating this incident.

Perhaps the more alarming incident occurred on Oct. 14 at nearly midnight on the first floor of Good Counsel Hall. Gaining access through a first-floor window, the unidentified person entered a room, but it does not appear that they stole anything. The residents of the room were notified. However, University Police are still investigating this crime.

Despite these incidents seeming minor with no immediate danger or casualties, it still makes me question just how safe we are on campus.

Further delving into the incident that occurred directly on campus, many concerning factors immediately come to mind. How secure are our window locks if any random individual can pop it open and enter? Is our surveillance at its utmost quality if the individual has not yet been identified and it has been a week? And most importantly, what actions are going to be taken for this not to occur again?

In my experience so far as a freshman living on the second floor of St. Monica’s, I have never felt unsafe in my building or individual room. However, the new incidents

Good Counsel hall was broken into on Oct. 14 while students were away on fall break.

Courtesy of Tyler Moore

at hand are making me question the system of safety within our dorm buildings. For example, a few weeks ago I visited a few friends at West Chester University. Upon entering their dorm building, there was a security guard sitting at the front desk taking physical notes of who signed in and how many guests they had. If you did not have an ID, such as a driver’s license, you were not allowed admittance even past the front lobby.

Now, many of you may be thinking that is a bit extreme for a college setting, but I see the benefits. Even having a member of Villanova Public Safety sit at the front desk in each dorm building for a few hours on the weekends would provide more security than what is the current situation of nobody sitting at the front desk no matter the day or hour. This means that anyone can walk in as long as a student with a Wildcard gives them

access through the front door. That detail alone just does not sit right with me.

Referring to the discussion on window locks, perhaps installing a more complex mechanism could prevent break ins or even slow down the individual trying to enter.

If someone who is trying to enter needs more allotted time to break in, chances are there would be a higher success rate of capturing said burglars. Video surveillance can further provide more insight into capturing these potentially dangerous individuals. The Villanova Stop and Shop burglary was at least able to identify how many persons and a general idea of what they looked like. The Good Counsel incident however has yet to identify if the person was even male or female. How can we prevent these incidents if we cannot even have a detailed description of those performing the crime?

Although many factors came into play with the incident in Good Counsel, such as hardly anyone being around to see the incident and the rooms being vacant for an easy break in, it is concerning we now must consider dangerous outsiders entering our rooms. The only thing we can hope for now is that these individuals will be identified and better security will be reinforced. I know I will personally be hiding my valuable belongings a lot more if I am out of my dorm for hours at a time.

The University is for the most part a very safe campus.

However, I think certain aspects of security can be tweaked so these burglary incidents can become obsolete. Hopefully, this is the last time we will hear about break ins for the rest of the year and changes will begin for the future security of our campus, as well as the safety of the students.

Jumping Through Hoops: Rethinking Hoops Mania Taleen Postian Staff Writer

I solved Hoops Mania. No, I didn’t find out who the performer is. However, I did figure out how we can avoid this current desperate grab for a limited number of tickets to a concert where we don’t know who is performing and in the process make Hoops Mania an event more students can enjoy.

Hoops Mania is one of the most anticipated events in the entire Villanova social calendar. Fans of sports and music come together to cheer on the beginning of the basketball season with the aid of a world-class performer.

The tickets are acquired by lottery, with better chances given to those who have attended other sporting events in the past. It’s a fair delivery system for such a popular event. But it’s not perfect.

As many Villanovans as possible should be able to partake in the fun that is Hoops Mania, the process can be optimized.

Change is necessary for Hoops Mania to continue to be the exciting and positive event it has been in the past. Acquiring a ticket is very prized and has high stakes, especially for seniors, who in recent years may have lower

chances of getting tickets based on the assumption that they have gone in years past. Because of the cancellation of Hoops Mania last year due to COVID-19, some upperclassmen feel they have been cheated out of a ticket, due to bad luck and timing.

Hoops Mania’s popularity and exclusiveness are, unfortunately, causing negative feelings of being left out that can be avoided.

Ultimately, the Hoops Mania system and location are not serving the student population adequately in its current form, so changes must be made.

The solution is two-fold.

First, the performer should be announced before tickets are put up for the lottery. Second, Hoops should change venues and be held in the football stadium, ultimately doubling the capacity and doubling the size of the whole event.

Announcing the performer might take away some of the suspense of Hoops, but its benefits will outweigh the negatives. By announcing the performing artist before the ticket lottery begins, the limited number of tickets available will go to people who actually want to see the artist performing and who want to see the basketball scrimmage and not people who

show up and are disappointed that Doja Cat is performing and not DaBaby. (It would be on brand for her to perform though right? Doja Cat, Wildcats. You get what I’m saying).

Announcing the performer earlier would cut down on the rampant ticket scalping that occurs in the weeks leading up to Hoops after the lottery has decided who has one of the coveted tickets. I don’t have an issue with re-selling your ticket if something comes up and you aren’t able to make Hoops even though you were planning on going, but the prices I’ve seen offered are simply astronomical, and why pay money to go into a concert blind to who will be performing?

If performers are announced earlier, perhaps die hard fans will have a better chance of seeing their favorite artist right here at Villanova.

This solution is the easier one, requiring primarily an administrative decision and some welltimed emails. But part of the fun of Hoops is the surprise of seeing who walks out on stage. There is a solution that keeps this suspense too and will allow Hoops to maintain that element of surprise.

If Villanova wants to retain

the element of surprise while also allowing more of the student body admission to one of its best events, it should change the venue of Hoops Mania to the football stadium.

Villanova’s home football stadium seats 12,500 spectators.

This is almost double the capacity of Finneran Pavilion, where Hoops Mania is currently held, which currently has seating for 6,501 spectators.

By switching to the football stadium, it opens up access to this event to more students and remedy the feeling that some upperclassmen have missed out on Hoops Mania due to extenuating circumstances. This will make the crowd even more exhilarating and give our basketball team an even better start to their season.

This change of venue would allow more students to attend while continuing the lottery system if necessary and keeping the performer a secret for suspense.

Announcing the Hoops performer earlier and/or changing the venue to Villanova Stadium will allow more Villanovans to take part in this incredible event and hopefully make Hoops even better than it already is.

10 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

CULTURE

CULTURE

Angela Davis at Villanova’s Anti-Poverty Symposium Molly Carrerio Staff Writer

At 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, University President Rev. Peter M Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D. stood at the podium of the Charles Widger School of Law to introduce the inaugural Anti-Poverty Symposium. He introduced the symposium as a part of a University-wide initiation against poverty and drew on the University’s core values of Unitas, Veritas and Caritas. Father Peter introduced Paul Tufano ’83 VSB, ’86 CWSL and Christine Tufano ’84 CLAS, ’86 MA, whose generous gift made this event possible.

Stepping onto the podium, Tufano attributed his and his wife’s initiative to how they grew up, to their experience at Villanova and to his experience in law. Tufano said how he learned quickly that the strength of our democracy is based on how well we respond to those who are underrepresented within it. He said that justice compels us to understand this rage, and that compassion is basic to what we are all about at Villanova. Tufano quoted Augustine, saying, “The more you are concerned about the common good than your own, the more you will know about the progress you have made.”

Tufano did not deny that there is a math problem to be solved when it comes to how we solve poverty but said that there is enough power in this room and in this country to have a profound impact on the systemic issue. He encouraged the audience to not accept the status quo but to accept that achieving the American Dream is not simply about achieving a level of income.

Villanova’s anti-poverty fellow Stephanie Sena spoke next. After honoring the many speakers and fellows, Sena vulnerably spoke of her own experience living below the poverty line when her salary did not cover basic life expenses. She said that she and her children would go without food, heat and at times healthcare. Sena is grateful to now live above the poverty line, but she wants a world in which “life, dignity and community are sacred.”

Sena argues poverty is man-made and systemic; it is not an inevitable part of life we must live with but a robbery built into our political structure.

“Poverty is enshrined in law,” she said.

Sena welcomed keynote speaker Julian Castro, the 16th United

States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Castro argued that this moment in history has been like none which any of us has experienced and that we must draw on this to make significant progress. He drew on the Black Lives Matter Movement as a racial reckoning revealing our latest attempt to grapple with the original sin of this country. He drew on the pandemic, a moment in time which has exposed the vulnerability of all Americans rich and poor.

One of Castro’s focuses is to treat healthcare, housing and education as a human right. From a policy standpoint, Castro said we need systemic change. His approach is to leave the Reagan era of total distrust of government behind and understand that the government has a role in uplifting a better vision of life. Castro spoke of the necessity of investment in public housing and universal basic income and of the necessity of a change in policy at both a national and local level. He encouraged the audience to support the fair housing act, to support policy, and to elect people who have the courage to make decisions with the interest of all people in mind. The people in poverty are all among us, Castro said, and their fate is the fate of our nation.

During the Symposium lunch, Angela Davis, American political activist, philosopher, academic, scholar and author, blessed the Villanova community with her presence and wisdom over Zoom. As Davis appeared in a black jacket and purple and orange floral scarf, the crowd cheered. Her confidence, poise and humor radiated from the projector screen as speakers stepped up to present their questions. When called an icon, she humbly responded that she does not see herself as one, but rather as one of many who had the opportunity to engage in struggles in the past and who is lucky to have lived long enough to see the fruits of the labor.

She remarked that she sees herself as a witness, not an icon.

When asked about how Davis views our present moment in history, she responded, “This is a very special conjunctural moment in which a range of conditions have come together. It is a confluence of events that have produced a moment that makes it essential to reflect on the role that racism has played on this country, to reflect on the role of colonialism, of slavery and on the way these institutions continue to affect our society. We are living the after lives of colonialism and the afterlives of

Angela Davis spoke over Zoom for teh symposium in Villanova’s Law School building.

Courtesy of Villanova Law Twitter

slavery.”

Davis believes this could be a moment of illumination, a moment of collective awakening of the structure of racism and a moment of desire to create something new. In highlighting the amazing work by visual artists, writers and scholars today in exposing the systems of racism, she said these are the people helping us to see the future.

Davis’ advice for young activists is not to lose hope, for just as she has been able to witness the fruits of her own labor, one day they will too.

Davis spoke of the importance of persistence, of group mobilization and of making our demands heard repeatedly when affecting change.

“I believe that history unfolds not as a result of the action of a few individuals, but as a result of the collective imagination and as a result of the actions of many,” she said.

When asked about President Biden, Davis did not hold back in saying, “My vote for Biden was a vote to evict fascism from the White House, to prepare the way for new possibilities and new struggles.”

Davis is well known for her outspoken views on capitalism. Commenting on the COVID-19 pandemic, she quickly but confidently said she would argue that “it is a pandemic produced by capitalism.” When asked about the systems of racism and poverty, Davis said, “I don’t think we can imagine a world without poverty or racism as long

as the system of capitalism prevails.”

She spoke of what she views as the inseparable link between capitalism and racism and argued that capitalism needs to fall to build a world in which all people flourish. But for now, she said, we must make demands for capitalism that at least alleviate poverty and push back racism.

Davis encouraged the audience to carefully listen to those with whom they disagree. She said she is not interested in giving people answers, but in encouraging them to truly think deeply and critically for themselves. Before logging off, Davis reminded those in the audience that without hope, we have nothing; while we must do the intellectual work that is serious and realistic, we must combine this with the optimistic sense that a better world is possible.

Leaving the room in awe, Davis said, “I am more hopeful today than ever before in my own personal history and I think our role is to further cultivate this hope.”

Various scholars presented throughout the day, drawing on religion, education, life experiences and public service projects. Speakers challenged the audience to poke holes in the traditional narratives and representation of poverty in both mainstream media and academia. A first for the University, the symposium was a glimmer of hope in the work against poverty and for a more flourishing nation.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

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Exploring The Art Gallery with Jennie Castillo Bailey Quinn Staff Writer

The gallery on the second floor of the Connelly Center has the energy of a hidden gem in plain sight. The rousing energy of the main seating areas outside and Belle Air Terrace is softened to a dull roar the moment I enter and shake the hand of the brand new Curator of the University Art Collection and Art Director, Jennie Castillo. We are standing in the current show entitled “Modern Masters,” which consists of “Everything [Castillo] enjoyed finding so far in storage that fits into that realm.” While she did not have an opening reception for the current show, Castillo says she wanted to start quickly and give the students something to see from Day one of the Fall 2021 semester.

Castillo is relatively new to campus as of July 2021 and has been filled with ideas and goals since she joined the Villanova community this past summer. She is a graduate of the State University of New York-New Paltz (SUNY - New Paltz) with a B.S. in Art History, and her Masters from the City University of New York Queens College (CUNY - Queens College) is focused on 17th-century Dutch pendant portraiture. She also has previous curator experience, as an Art Gallery Director in Manhattan, NY, with a lot of the work featured there being post-war Abstract Expressionism, a very popular area of work. Castillo says that the current show pulls inspiration from the “New York art scene” she left behind. She is hoping to pull some artwork from the galleries in which she worked in New York to have on display in the shows here at Villanova, in addition to pieces created by Villanova alumni and other artists.

According to Castillo, Villa-

nova has around 10,000 works of art, with pieces in a large variety of locations, including in storage, campus offices, professor’s offices, the Villanova Inn and the Gallery itself. Castillo is in charge of curating works for all of these spaces, even for personal offices on campus, making sure everyone enjoys and draws inspiration from the available pieces to their liking.

Castillo has been absolutely thrilled to dive into the works and is beyond excited for the aspirations she has in store, with visiting artists and collections being a large source of enthusiasm. For instance, in the spring for Easter and St. On Patrick’s Day, Castillo is planning partnerships with departments such as the Irish Studies program, in which an Irish chalice from the Pre-Reformation era will be on display in the gallery. She is also working with the Art History department in formulating new potential coursework and opportunities to interact with the Art Gallery, finding ways to encourage Art History students to explore the pieces available to them.

In regards to visiting artists and their work, Castillo advocates that one of her guiding principles in curating collections with artists is giving, “artistic license,” and “trusting artists to do what they do.” Some artists she is considering for future installations are planning to spread out the installation beyond the gallery, incorporating some of their pieces into outdoor installations on Villanova’s campus, posing as “easter eggs” to lead anyone who happens across them to the gallery.

As for her plans for the gallery within the Connelly Center, she wants to bring the space to life. Her goals include updating the walls and bringing in new shows, collections and artists.

Castillo truly wants this space to be as welcoming to students as possible.

When asked what students should

know about the gallery space, Castillo responded, “I really just want to get the students in the door… I want to make this space, not like if you bring in a bottle of water and you spill it you’re in a lot of trouble… I just want to make it feel very accessible.”

Castillo encourages students to come, sit and find some solitude in the space, whether it be to work in an oasis of bright colors and inspiration or to come out of the shadows of fall break for some peace and quiet in the company of Frank Stella, Earl Miller and Matta. She has heard from many students who have apparently “never seen the gallery,” (myself included), which according to her, “just breaks her heart.” She also hopes for faculty and staff to take advantage of the space for solace as well.

When asked what students should know about the gallery space, Castillo responded, “For me this job is

very much appealing to the students and getting them to be more involved and being here for [the students] is my big thing… bringing in the community, the outside community.”

She hopes to be able to incorporate students into the research process of curating the space in the future, offering them the ability to maneuver and navigate the Art World and all that it has to offer them.

Above all, Castillo hopes students will take advantage of the space within the Art Gallery to relax, study, take in the solace and ambience of students coming and going in the background and the quiet companionship of the “Modern Masters” covering the walls in all their tangible brilliance and excitement for whatever comes next.

For more information and upcoming events, check out the newly created Villanova Art Gallery Instagram page, @villanovaartgallery.

Frank Stella, Had Gadya: Back Cover, 1984 painting in the Connelly Center.

Courtesy of Bailey Quinn

The Book Buzz: Daisy Jones and the Sixth Chloe Miller Co-Culture Editor

Taylor Jenkins Reid has garnered much attention for her recent novels, especially thanks to TikTok. Author of the acclaimed “Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “Malibu Rising,” Reid’s earlier novel, “Daisy Jones and the Six,’’ revolutionizes how one thinks of ‘normal’ novel writing.

Written in interview format, Reid takes the reader back to Woodstock and disco pants as she dissects the rise and fall of famous, fictional band Daisy Jones and the Six.

Daisy Jones is on fire.

Young, sexy and uncontrollable, she is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. At the same time, but on what seems like the other side of the world, the band The Six is gaining popularity. Controlling star of The Six and lead singer Billy Dunne finds himself in a duet with Daisy. The result creates what becomes the band Daisy Jones and the Six, to the dismay of Jones and Dunne. Billy, like Daisy, finds himself dragged to the

depths of the rock and roll world.

Attempting to stay afloat with his long-term girlfriend Camilla, he finds solace with Jones and his misfit band.

The novel follows the band’s rise to fame in a time ridden with drugs, alcohol and sex. It is the quintessential 70s rock and roll era. “Daisy Jones and the Six” go through pregnancies, drug abuse and secret relationships. Despite the members’ personal troubles, the band is wildly successful, and Dunne’s and Jones’ chemistry is electric on stage, sparking fan interest. Reid details everything from lyric brainstorming sessions to concerts.

Reid creates a fictional world within a real-life time period.

Anyone interested in the culture of the 70s would find “Daisy Jones and the Six’’ to be a worthwhile read. The unique interview set-up is followed throughout the entire novel making it a quick and entertaining read. Following the last page of the interview, Reid includes the lyrics to the songs by Daisy Jones and the Six that are

mentioned throughout the book.

While reading “Daisy Jones and the Six,” the reader is transported to a completely different place. The interview format is engaging and the eccentric characters are raw and relatable. Out of all of Reid’s novels, “Daisy Jones and the Six’’ is the most innovative of the bunch.

Though the novel can become cheesy with cliche quotes, Reid makes it work. One of these quotes says, “You have to have one person in your life that you know would never do anything to steer you wrong. They may disagree with you. They could even break your heart, from time to time. But you have to have one person, at least, who you know will always tell you the truth.”

“Daisy Jones and the Six” is a standout novel that will set a precedent for stories to come. By experimenting and wildly succeeding with a never before seen writing style, Reid encourages other authors to challenge the norms of novel writing, especially in the young adult genre. As the novel is being adapted for screen as a

miniseries on Amazon Prime Video in late 2021 to early 2022, the time to read “Daisy Jones and the Six” is now.

Daisy Jones and The Six is this week’s book pick.

Courtesy of Barnes and Noble

CULTURE

12 | The Villanovan

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Netflix’s Squid Game Captivates The Nation

Aphrodite Dimopoulos Staff Writer

“Squid Game,” a South Korean television series, was released on Netflix on Sept.17, though it began garnering major international attention in early October. Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, announced that “Squid Game” is on track to become Netflix’s most-viewed series. Written and directed by Hwang Donghyuk, the nine episode series revolves around Seong Gi-hun, a divorced dad and gambling addict, as he competes in a contest that could pull him out of debt.

Like Seong Gi-hun, 456 desperate and impoverished adults agree to participate in the contest, which consists of six rounds of gameplay based on popular children’s games. From all over South Korea, the contestants have varying life stories, though they are all in debt. Contestants include an old friend of Gi-hun’s, a woman who mugged Gi-hun and a Pakistani migrant worker.

Living in one communal room, all contestants wake up, give consent to play in the games and start their first-round: red light, green light. Almost immediately after the game begins, the contestants become aware of the nature of the contest. If one makes a mistake or fails to follow the rules,

they get shot. Simple, right?

There are multiple subplots throughout the show, including the reasoning for the games and unlikely friendships and alliances that occur while playing. The episodes follow the six games that are played, eventually leading to a victor (in a very Hunger Games-esque fashion).

“Squid Game” questions how far one would go in the pursuit of riches. Dong-hyuk focuses on issues of social class, the human desire for wealth, friendship and death. The main commentary is clearly on modern capitalist societies. Although the contestants initially give consent and are told they can stop the games if a majority agrees, they are lured under false pretenses. They are given the allure of a democratic society that is quickly exposed as corrupt.

Many may question how a South Korean TV series filled with violence and pessimism towards society attracted nearly the 142 million households that viewed it.

Part of the draw could be the lack of series due to the pandemic, the rise in the obsession with Korean culture or even the desire to not be left out of the conversation.

“I feel like Squid Game got popular because people are drawn to things that are bizarre and dystopian,” sophomore Ryan Maloney said. “Things also spread really quickly through word of

Squid Game is a very popular Netflix show.

Courtesy of Netflix

mouth and online. It’s a social thing.”

Other students were drawn to the fast pace of the show.

“The series really kept me on my seat and it was really hard to watch just one episode given that each episode had so much to unpack and typically left off on a cliffhanger,” junior Olivia Mulchaey said. “I enjoyed that the show had some realistic aspects

that made it seem like this could happen in our world today.”

After a year of drought in television due to the pandemic, people are itching to watch anything new and exciting. It was perfect timing for a show like Squid Game to rise in popularity.

Although it took director Donghyuk 13 years to get the show he wrote in 2008 to screen, the wait was well worth it.

Student Perspectives on Social Media Culture Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

The rise of social media in the past 20 years affects the current student population in ways that are coming to fruition for the first time.

Technology and the internet are constantly changing parts of our world, which makes the cultural side-effects and lack of regulation difficult to counteract. However, with scandals like the one brought forth by the Facebook whistleblower, the truth about social media’s effects have become a more pressing issue, and students are voicing how they feel about it.

Facebook is not a novice when it comes to scandal involvement.

Recently, The Wall Street Journal’s “The Facebook Files” series reported about 11 of Facebook’s shady practices. Each article stripped away another layer of Facebook’s masked identity, shedding light on the company’s extensive forms of manipulation and malpractices.

One example derived from the series was the system Facebook put in place that supposedly regulates and fact-checks all user content for violence or falsehoods, but in reality, it excludes individually high-profile accounts to give them free reign to harass and spread whatever they please.

Another article, “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show,” sparked major discussion over Face-

book’s effects on younger generations.

“More than 40% of Instagram’s users are 22 years old and younger,” the article said. “And about 22 million teens log onto Instagram in the U.S. each day.”

The information exposed Facebook for harboring research about its sites being direct causes of teenage girls having body image issues, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts. Facebook tried to hide this information, until a former employee named Frances Haugen took it to the public. Last month, the former product manager went in front of Congress vying for stricter laws to regulate Facebook and other social media sites to prevent the harms perpetuated by these sites in younger populations.

These negative effects are directly correlated with mental health, something receiving more focus as it continues to become more of an issue in society. In May 2020, the country saw a spike of teen suicide attempts by 50% for girls and 4% for boys, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. With suicidal thoughts and mental health issues sharply increasing among the younger generation, and Facebook’s recently released information about its similar harmful effects, concern about the well-being of teenage and college individuals takes precedence.

The student population on campus is a part of the social media generation, so The Villanovan asked some individuals to speak on the social media culture issue.

“I wish it were easy to change the way social media has affected our lives, minds and relationships (with others and ourselves),” one anonymous junior said. “I just don’t know where to start.”

Another anonymous student spoke of her experience using Instagram.

“I love to hype people up and post pictures of cute outfits and stuff,” she said. “But sometimes, I can feel myself going to an event or getting an outfit with an Instagram post in mind, and I hate that I do that.”

However, the student also mentioned another side of social media, one with more positive connotations.

“I’ve been able to read about a lot of cool people and actually engage with some positive mental health sites,” another student reported. “It’s

not always bad.”

This past year marked the launch of one of the Instagram sites of that nature. The Villanova Chapter of IfYoureReadingThis.org is a space where University students share stories of hope about personal mental health experiences. Since its launch, the Instagram page has gained more than 700 followers. As one side of social media works to tear down mental health, this one aims to help it rebuild.

While there are multiple sides to social media, both good and bad, the facts still remain. Social media sites often have detrimental effects, the results of which are still on the precipice of their greatest intensity.

One sophomore summed up social media culture in what was the most common theme among respondents.

Social media poses threats to student mental health.

Courtesy of iStock

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So You Want to Go Abroad? Advice for Students

Catherine Kemnitz Staff Writer

I am currently studying abroad in Barcelona, and I highly encourage anyone who is considering going abroad to go for it. I am so grateful to be here, especially during such odd times. However, as I was going through the process of looking for a program, the biggest question on my mind was “will this actually happen?” Because of this uncertainty, I was not thinking as much about the actual experience abroad. I am so happy where I am right now, but here are some questions I wish I had asked myself.

What do you want to get out of abroad?

Are you looking to improve your ability to speak a language? Do you want a break from your routine?

Are you just hoping to study in a different country with your friends?

There are no wrong answers, and you could be looking to do a couple of different things. But setting a goal or intention for your time abroad can help make the experience more meaningful.

A special note about language: if mastering a language is something you are really committed to, that might limit the places you want to study. In bigger, more touristy cities, many people know English. If you try to practice the language in

restaurants and stores, there is a good chance you will get a response in English.

What kind of place do you want to live in?

It is important to think about what kind of environment you want to live in. Living in a city for four months is going to be a very different experience than living in a more suburban area. Some areas stay colder most of the year while others stay warmer. Some see a lot of rain. You have the option to live with a host family, in an apartment with other students or in a student housing facility.

All of these options come together to create one living experience. Given that this will be your home base for a semester, it is one of the more important questions to consider.

Do I need certain credits to transfer while I’m abroad?

If you are hoping to complete certain credits while abroad, it is very important to check that those courses are approved or can be approved by the University. If you Google “Villanova overseas course approval,” you can find a listing of courses from different programs. On this list, you can see if a class has been approved and what Villanova class you could get credit for. If there are newer or less popular classes, they may not be listed. In that case, you can submit the course for ap-

proval.

What can I do in my city?

Once you do choose where you want to go, you should figure out some things you want to do. A whole semester feels like a long time, but it flies by. Weekdays can be filled with school and weekends with travel.

Every city has a lot to offer, and it is unlikely that you can see it all. Make a list (or mental list) of the things you know you want to see or do before returning home.

How much do you want to travel?

In past years, some students opted to travel every weekend. While there are restrictions, traveling is still very much an option. If you want to travel most weekends, you should think about staying in a bigger city.

Flights and train rides will likely be cheaper.

Additionally, leaving your Fridays open can help make travel more flexible. All programs will have some sort of attendance policy but you can choose to take classes Monday-Thursday, and some programs do not even offer Friday classes.

As a final note, I would like to add that while these questions can help you optimize your study abroad trip, you probably are not going to find a place that checks all your boxes, but that is okay. Going abroad is about trying something new. You have to be flexible and welcome the unfamiliar. No matter where you end up, you are going to have a great time.

A street in Barcelona could be a potential abroad location.

Courtesy of Getty Images

Villa-Vogue: The Simpsons x Balenciaga Collab

Kaelin Trombly Staff Writer

Forget the Hadid sisters because a new and unexpected family just took on the Balenciaga catwalk by storm: The Simpsons.

The Simpsons. The satirical depiction of American life that has become the backbone of everyone’s childhood, or at least for Balenciaga’s creative director Demna Gvasalia. To everyone’s disbelief, the haute couture fashion designer grew up watching the stereotypically described “mainstream trash” show which soon became a very influential part of his life as it enabled him to “... get to know the world not through walls but through transparent screens’’ (Demna 032c Interview). This childhood influence soon became Gvasalia’s vision for Balenciaga’s FW Spring/Summer 2022 show, birthing the ever iconic Balenciaga x The Simspons collab.

Balenciaga’s Paris Fashion Week show was unlike anything that has ever been done before.

Rather than promoting the new collection through a runway show, the French fashion house used a movie premiere-esque red carpet mixed with celebrities and models alike.

The reimagination of runway beauty is one for the books, as A-listers like Cardi B and Naomi Campbell strolled among models like Eve Jobs, all adorned in the season’s inky and oversized looks.

After walking the red carpet, guests congregated in Le

Théatre de Châtelet to see the classic top-down view of Springfield displaying on the theater’s screen. For the next 10 minutes, an original episode of The Simpsons, in collaboration with Balenciaga, played, becoming the most relevant thing to happen to physical fashion in the last two years.

The show began with the patriarch Homer Simpson emailing Balenciaga in search of a birthday gift for his wife, Marge.

Gvasalia himself (in Simpson animation) reads the email and feels

immediately obligated to help.

Soon enough, the fashion house flies out of the community of Springfield to walk the Balenciaga catwalk, each character wearing Gvasalia’s most iconic looks from past seasons.

The entirety of the episode was brilliant and successful, with gags that make fun of the fashion system and celebrity animations from Anna Wintour to the Kardashians. The episode also carried out the two founding elements of Gvasalia’s ideology: trolling the

world of fashion and the reworking of the post-Cold War Western culture of which the Simpsons are the apotheosis.

The complexity of Balenciaga lies precisely in its ability to remain plausible no matter what creative projects Gvasalia takes on. As the fashion house continues to promote an immersive and profound interpretation of the world, overturning the perspective of observation, it is important to remember: it’s a Balenciaga world, we just live in it.

The collab no one expected but everyone needed.

Courtesy of YoutTube

14 | The Villanovan

CULTURE

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

What Students Did On Campus Over Fall Break

Maddie Schieder Staff Writer

Not everyone on campus had the opportunity to travel home for fall break last week, yet things were interesting in the silence of campus. Instagram feeds were filled with photos of fellow classmates out west or even across the ocean. However, those on campus had to get creative to keep themselves entertained and avoid the lurking shadow of FOMO. Those on campus mainly consisted of athletes, RAs and those unable to make their way home for the week. St. Mary’s was the only dining hall open on campus. Therefore, the break was a great opportunity to explore the variety of restaurants around campus. Since the weather finally cooled down, students had a taste of autumn and heavy jackets. Students on campus also had the opportunity to spend time at hotspots, such as King of Prussia Mall, Linvilla Orchards and Suburban Square. Although it was nice to get off campus, on campus students were able to enjoy some peace in the absence of all of the chaos and take walks on campus observing our beautiful home.

Speaking of outdoors, students were also spotted walking and enjoying Stoneleigh Gardens right behind campus.

Those enjoying the “staycation” got to visit and learn about places on and around campus they may have always wanted to see. That included downtown Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs and the beauty of the Main Line. Finding stuff to do in one’s own city is not as basic as it sounds. Being on campus was not so bad after all.

Since most of the university facilities were closed for break, those on campus also were able to cook in their own kitchens and get a taste of independence while others were not around.

Fall break is meant to be a reset whether that be mentally or

academically. For some, it meant enjoying the peace of silence on campus and taking in the view or staying in and watching a comforting movie on the couch. A break from the hustle and bustle Villanova students face every day is exactly what all of us needed, whether that be in Europe or right in the comfort of your on-campus apartment.

“I went to the Wissahickon Park over break for a getaway from campus to walk around in nature and destress from the busy life I live on campus,” sophomore Kiera Booth said.

She and her boyfriend

got to explore a destination off campus she has been excited to visit, and she enjoyed her time outside in the brisk fall weather.

Wissahickon Valley Park is located just north of the Main Line and is home to trails and creeks which are great for a taste of true nature. Trips like these off campus, exploring the hidden gems of suburban Philadelphia were a hit over this past week during fall break on campus. Peace and de-stressing were very much enjoyed by those kept on and around campus for this year’s fall break, and it was not so boring after all.

Students enjoyed the beautiful campus over break.

Courtesy of Villanova University Instagram

The Writing in The Stars: Horoscopes For This Week Elena Rouse Co-Culture Editor

Aries: The time is now to invest. Aries, we’re talking about the stalk markets of all things vibey. This week is yours for the taking friend, and you can’t help but feel that electricity is just aching to unleash itself onto the world. Back off, everyone, Aries is coming in hot.

Taurus: Your steady demeanor will come in handy the next few days. The situations that are coming your might sway others, but not you, which will be needed. Use that to your advantage, and seek out those who might need a little more zen in their life. They will be grateful, and you might find yourself with someone new in your life.

Gemini: The tides are changing which, dare we say, has been much needed and long overdue. Let the new path in front of you guide this new direction.

Don’t overthink. Not this time.

Just let things be as they may and you’ll find yourself with a newfound pep in your step.

Cancer: You know what’s great? You. It’s time you start believing it. What is with self doubt lately? The moon is orbiting in Neptune’s realm, which means that you have no reason to resist looking in the mirror and shouting some “Wow look at me go” self love. Project it into the world, and

trust that it will come right back in the most delicious way possible.

Leo: Something has been begging for your attention. Yow know it, the stars know it, so why keep pushing it away? You need to prioritize whatever it may be, because it won’t stop bugging you until you do something about it.

Never ignore the signs the stars are giving you. Once you give some acknowledgment, a new sense of clarity will wash over you, and who doesn’t want that?

Virgo: Confusion has struck. That’s life, though, isn’t it? Giving us all sorts of situations and conversations that leave us wondering what to do, or what something meant. Don’t worry, because you will get your answers... but don’t be surprised if they aren’t the ones you were expecting.

Libra: It’s been all work, no play and Libra, you deserve some play! The shifting sky patterns scream relief, meaning it’s your chance to smile a little brighter and release some of those anxieties. Run outside barefoot, pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru, make-out with a hottie (or two)-who cares! As long as you find yourself living just a little more for you this week.

Scorpio: The stars are pointing to newness. Life might have been feeling a little claustrophobic, but fear not, with this new attitude and newfound energy, you will get that deep breath you’ve been needing. It will be awkward

at first, but all new things are.

Keep going. Who knows, maybe you’ll find some new, vibrant part of yourself you didn’t even know you had.

Sagittarius: You have a solemn air about you this week.

Don’t ignore it, but lean into it.

When you lean in, you accept it and then are able to let it go.

Maybe there isn’t even a reason for the vibe, or one you can figure out, but that doesn’t make it any less valid. Things are just a tad off.

Trust your heart and it will tell you what you probably already know, and what your mind needs to hear.

Just wait until that happens...(good things are coming, get excited).

Capricorn: Did someone just say love?? Well, who knows, but the stars surely are supporting you in your romantic endeavors.

Find that special Snapchat streak and give it a little something extra this week. Who’s to say the person

on the receiving end is doing the same thing right back? You should see what the deal is with that... happy hunting xo.

Aquarius: You feel like you’re doing all the things. Really, where do all those hours in the day go? There just isn’t enough of them to go around. You’re feeling a bit like a hamster on the wheel, but don’t fret. Those who stay on the grind eventually get some big rewards, and in your case, they’ll be satisfying and well deserved.

Pisces: The past only comes back to bite you when you bait it.

You’ve been letting your thoughts take you in a backwards direction, but your past only led to that part of yourself that’s still searching today. You’ll never find what you’re looking for if you keep going through the same motions, so let yourself do something outrageous, and embrace the next chapter.

Here are your predictions for the week.

Courtesy of Dreamstime.com /The Chicago Tribune

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The Villanovan | 15

SPORTS

SPORTS

Football Ranked 4th In Latest FCS Polls Colin Beazley Co-Sports Editor

After Saturday’s Homecoming 44-0 demolition of 18th ranked Rhode Island, Villanova moved up to fourth in both national FCS polls, the program’s highest ranking since 2015.

The Wildcats are 6-1 and currently lead the Colonial Athletic Association with a 4-0 record in conference play.

“I thought our guys came and had a lot of enthusiasm, energy, [in the] beginning of the game, we’re able to pretty much maintain that all four quarters, which we really haven’t been able to do in other games,” head coach Mark Ferrante said in a press conference Monday. “It was a good overall team win with all three phases.”

The Wildcats defeated Rhode Island in all facets of the game. Villanova had 511 yards of total offense and held the Rams to just 165, earning the program’s first shutout since 2017. The Wildcats ran all over the Rams, rushing for 297 yards, while Rhode Island only mustered 107 yards. The Wildcat pass defense held Rhode Island quarterbacks Brandon Robinson and Kasim Hill to just 58 yards through the air.

In both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and the Coaches Poll, the Wildcats are ranked behind Sam Houston State, North Dakota State

of 100,000 people, yet his team never looked out of place.

“That moment didn’t seem too big for our guys, they [seemed] to just go out there and have that workman-like approach in that game,” Ferrante said. “I think it helped our guys’ belly as much as anything else.

We were able to hang in there, we did well against the run in that game on defense, and we got those late couple scores on offense, which I think helped, just keep tapping the rock and good things will happen. So I think it just helped in the mental confidence level if nothing else, and, you know, hopefully we’ll just continue to have Junior running back DeeWil Barley ran for 99 yards to lead the ‘Cats over Rhode Island. that same approach no matter who Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography we’re playing week in and week out.”

After the Penn State game, and Southern Illinois. Sam Housresponding and reacting to things the Wildcats had a bye week to recovton State is the defending national when there’s time to respond and er and prepare for a trip to face the champion and winners of 17 straight react. I had a meeting with our reigning Colonial champion, James games, while North Dakota State is Leadership Council this morning, Madison.

Villanova upset the then also undefeated. Like the Wildcats, and they’re saying all the right things third-ranked Dukes, snapping a 19Southern Illinois suffered its only loss as well, so as long as our leaders are game home winning streak for JMU, to FCS opposition, falling 31-23 to communicating those types of things, and then travelled to Albany and beat Kansas State in September. However, the whole 1-0 mentality of this week... the Great Danes, 17-10.

The ‘Cats Ferrante says his team is not getting I think we have good leadership from then returned home and dominated overconfident from its lofty ranking. the top working its way down.”

Rhode Island, earning the fourth spot

“I like the maturity of this

Possibly the biggest learning in both polls. team,” Ferrante said. “We have an experience for the Wildcats was their

The Wildcats next face 5-2 older group for sure... and they’re tak- loss to Penn State earlier this season, William & Mary at home on Sating that Tap the Rock mentality that as Villanova proved it could be comurday.

The Tribe is ranked 26th in we always talk about, the one day at petitive against one of the best FBS the FCS Top 25, and an upset win a time mentality, let’s get better every teams in the nation.

Saturday would launch them into and day mentality, the let’s take one rep at Ferrante said that many teams up the rankings.

The game kicks off at a time mentality.” would have felt “starstruck” in that 1 p.m.

“I love the way our guys are, type of environment, playing in front

Football to Face 5-2 William & Mary Saturday Matthew Ryan Staff Writer

After securing its first shutout since 2017, defeating No. 18 Rhode Island 44-0, No. 4 Villanova once again faces a strong CAA opponent at home in William & Mary. The Tribe are 5-2 (3-1 CAA) and sit at third place in the conference, behind only James Madison and the 6-1 (4-0 CAA) Wildcats.

William & Mary is coming off an impressive outing itself, defeating Towson, 40-14. The Tribe finished with 529 total yards of offense and forced a season-high six turnovers.

Led by freshman quarterback Darius Wilson, William & Mary’s offense ranks in the middle of the FCS, averaging 24.6 points per game. Wilson has passed for 828 yards, with five touchdowns and six interceptions, but is also contributing significantly on the ground, rushing for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Cole Blackman is the Tribe’s leading receiver, hauling in 15 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns.

Villanova’s passing defense ranks in the top-30, and senior cornerback Christian Benford leads its secondary. Benford leads the Wildcats in pass breakups (10), and his five interceptions are the most on the team and tied for the most in FCS.

Junior running back Donavyn Lester is the workhorse in a William & Mary run game that

ranks 15th at 211 yards per game.

Lester has five rushing touchdowns, three coming last week, and he has run for 487 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Redshirt freshman Malachi Imoh (57.3 yards per game) and junior Bronson Yoder (53.6 ypg) are also key contributors to the run game.

Stopping the rushing attack will be pivotal for the Wildcats, but they are more than capable of doing so. Villanova’s top-10 scoring defense (15.4 ppg) is ranked fifth in rushing yards allowed with 74 per game. Graduate linebacker Forrest Rhyne, senior linebacker Amin Black and graduate defensive lineman Malik Fisher highlight Villanova’s front seven.

In its aforementioned victory over Rhode Island, Villanova played exceptionally well from start to finish. The Wildcats bounced back from a sloppy offensive showing against winless Albany, scoring five touchdowns — three on the ground and two in the air — and knocking in three field goals. Villanova’s defense shut out the Rams and forced four turnovers, its most since the season opener against Lehigh.

“I thought our guys came and had a lot of enthusiasm, energy, [at the] beginning of the game,” Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante said. “We’re able to pretty much maintain that all four quarters, which we really haven’t been able to do in other games.”

Graduate quarterback Daniel Smith leads Villanova’s offense, which ranks in the top-20

The Wildcats face third placed William and Mary in a crucial CAA game.

Courtesy of Olivia Pasquale/Villanovan Photography

at 34.6 ppg. Smith is averaging just under 200 yards passing per contest and has thrown 14 touchdowns and four interceptions on the season. Junior Rayjoun Pringle is Smith’s number one target with 511 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this year. Wideouts junior Jaaron Hayek (35.7 ypg) and senior Dez Boykin (35.6 ypg), and senior tight end Todd Summers (25.6 ypg) are all major contributors to the receiving game as well.

Villanova’s 25th ranked rushing offense (189.6 ypg) is headlined by graduate running back Justin Covington, who has 469 yards and three touchdowns.

Covington missed last week’s game and is considered day-to-day. In Covington’s absence last week, senior running backs Jalen Jackson

and junior DeeWil Barlee were featured. Jackson has rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns this year, and Barlee has added 287 rushing yards of his own.

The Tribe’s 29th ranked defense (21.3 PPG) is led up front by junior defensive lineman Nate Lynn who has 8.5 sacks in just six games. Senior defensive lineman Will Kiely has added five sacks to the CAA’s second-leading group of QB sackers (19). Senior safety Gage Herdman leads the team with three interceptions, and junior cornerback Ryan Poole has the second most tackles (42) and most pass breakups (nine).

With the playoffs quickly approaching, Saturday’s matchup at 1 p.m. is a pivotal one for both programs.

16 | The Villanovan

SPORTS

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

XC Ready for Big East Championship Loghan Hirkey Staff Writer

On Friday, Oct. 29, the Villanova men’s and women’s cross-country teams will be competing at the Big East Championship in Carmel, Indiana. They will compete against Butler, UConn, Creighton, DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Xavier to crown a champion of the conference. Both ‘Nova teams have been working hard in their regular seasons, with the women clinching an overall first place, second place and 20th place finish at three races, while the men have secured two overall first place finishes and one second. The men’s team is ranked 24th in the latest USTFCCCA poll, highest in the Big East, while the women’s team received votes.

Individually, Haftu Strintzos of the men’s team has been dominating the races. At the Haverford Main Line Invitational, he was first out of 122 runners, while also breaking the Villanova course record with a time of 19:02 on the four-mile course. Strintzos then went to the Paul Short Run and placed third out of 357 runners and followed it up by securing another first place finish out of 209 runners at the Princeton Invitational in the 8000-meter race. These successes so far indicate a promising outcome for Strintzos’ results at the Big East race.

For the women, Lydia Olivere placed third out of 343 runners at the Paul Short Run, in

a 6000-meter race. This feat even secured her the honor of Big East Female Athlete of the Week, her first Big East honor. Olivere also placed third at Haverford and 57th at the Wisconsin Invitational.

Sadie Sigfstead is another Wildcat to look out for at the Big East Championship. In the Haverford Invitational, she finished second. In the Paul Short Run, she was fifth and at the Wisconsin Invitational she was 36th out of 266 runners, the highest placing runner for Villanova at that race.

The women’s team has not only received individual honors, but was named #1 in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to the USTFCCCA. They also made their mark on the national polls by reaching spot number 20 on the Top 30, although they dropped out last week.

The men have earned some honors of their own. John Phillips

was named Big East Male Athlete of the Week after his second place finish out of 357 runners at the Paul Short Run, his first Big East weekly honor. His time of 23:31 was even the 10th fastest time of all time for the Paul Short Run course. Phillips also placed second at the Haverford Invitational.

Strintzos also secured a Big East Male Athlete of the Week honor after his first place finish in the Haverford Mainline Invitational. Strintzos has received the honor before, not only in cross country, but in track and field as well.

With many promising athletes heading to the Big East Championships whether as a former Big East winner, a Big East honor holder, a past title holder or high place finisher in their season so far, both Villanova cross country teams have excellent chances at claiming hardware.

The Villanova men’s basketball team received a multitude of preseason award recognitions, both for individual players and for the team as a whole.

Villanova was ranked at number four in the Associated Press preseason rankings. The top ten included (in order) Gonzaga, UCLA, Kansas, Villanova, Texas, Michigan, Purdue, Baylor, Duke and Kentucky.

The expectations for the Wildcats are high this year with the return of Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels, both of whom decided to exercise their extra year of eligibility granted from the pandemic. Their experience and senior leadership combined with the exciting athleticism from freshmen Trey Patterson, Jordan Longino, Nnanna Njoku and Angelo Brizzi will make for great chemistry. This kind of preseason ranking is typical for Villanova, but that blend of experience and youth will be critical for keeping the Cats in that tier.

The top ten is loaded with talent. UCLA is looking to cap off on the momentum it gained from making it to last year’s Final Four in what was a more than memorable tournament story. Gonzaga will be looking for revenge after losing in the title game to Baylor,

Oct. 20 - Oct. 26

Wednesday, October 20 Men’s Soccer vs DePaul 2-3 L Thursday, October 21 None Friday, October 22 Field Hockey @ Quinnipiac 4-5 L (OT) Men’s Cross Country @ Haverford Invitational no team scoring Volleyball @ Providence 0-3 L Saturday, October 23 Field Hockey @ Holy Cross 2-3 L Football vs Rhode Island 44-0 W Sunday, October 24 Golf @ Outer Banks Invitational 8th/17 Women’s Soccer vs Butler 0-3 L Volleyball @ Creighton 0-3 L Men’s Soccer @ Northwestern 2-0 W Monday, October 25 Golf @ Outer Banks Invitational T-6th/17

Haftu Strintzos won the Princeton Invitational to lead the Wildcats to an overall win.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Basketball Wins Preseason Hardware Anders Pryor Staff Writer

WEEKLY SCOREBOARD

with its new squad spearheaded by No.1 overall recruit Chet Holmgrem, who many expect to be the number one pick in this year’s NBA draft. Traditional bluebloods Duke and Kentucky had disappointing endings to last season, as both programs failed to make the cut for the tournament in March, but both have several returning key pieces as well as excellent freshmen classes. Both will be looking to bounce back and get into normal shape, especially Duke, as head coach Mike Krzyzewski coaches the Blue Devils in his final season.

Villanova graduate point guard Gillespie has received several nods of excellence coming into the season. To start, he has once again been named to the preseason Bob Cousy Award Watch List, given to the best point guard in college basketball. Other notable watch list members include Duke’s Jeremy Roach, North Carolina’s Caleb Love, Texas’s Marcus Carr and Tennessee’s Kennedy Chandler. Gillespie has also received preseason nods for Big East Player of the Year and All Big East First Team. He finished last year averaging 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and shot 42.8 percent from the field.

Gillespie was also named to the Preseason All-American First Team, alongside Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, Illinois’s Kofi Cockburn, UCLA’s Juzang and Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. Gilles-

Tuesday, October 26 Golf @ Outer Banks Invitational 4th/17

Collin Gillespie is the first Wildcat to be named AP All-American since 2017.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

pie is Villanova’s first Preseason All-American since Jalen Brunson in 2017-2018.

Two other Wildcats have received preseason honors. Samuels is the other fifth year senior whose presence will be greatly valued, and he was named to the Julius Erving Award Watch List, given to the best small forward in college basketball. Other notable nominees include Baylor’s Matthew Mayer, Kansas’s Jalen Wilson and Memphis’ superstar freshman Emoni Bates. Samuels was also named to the Preseason All Big

East Second Team. He finished last year averaging 12 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

Junior guard Justin Moore also received a spot on the All Big East Second Team. He’s the third player on the team to receive a positional recognition in being added to the Jerry West Award Watchlist, given to the best shooting guard.

He finished last year with 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3 assists and 44% from the field.

The Wildcats open their season on Nov. 8 at home against Mount St Mary’s.

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Women’s Soccer Suffers Two More Losses Amanda McKean Staff Writer

The Villanova women’s soccer team lost twice over the past week, falling in overtime at UConn, 1-0, before returning home and losing to Butler on Senior Day, 3-0. The Wildcats have lost three in a row and nine of their last 10, with their latest losses dropping their record to 7-10.

Sunday’s game was well fought on both sides, and 90 minutes could not separate the teams.

The game finally ended in overtime in the 106th minute, when UConn finally found a winner.

The Wildcats started strong with freshman goalkeeper Ela Kopec taking over the reins from senior goalkeeper Megan McClay for the second straight start. She was able to save 13 shots, seven of which were in the second half of the game.

Another freshman, midfielder Molly Keiper, proved to be a vital part of the game, as she took four of the nine Wildcat shots on goal. Two other key opportunities from the Wildcats came from junior midfielder Jane Olcott, who tried placing her shot in the top of the goal, and sophomore Lauren Ashman, who had a hard shot on goal, but both were met by the gloves of Huskies goalkeeper Kaitlyn Mahoney.

In the second half, the freshmen continued to contribute. Freshman forward Francesca Yanchuk was able to get a shot on goal, and her classmate Maddie Fried tried sending one in the

top right corner, which was again saved by the Huskies.

However, the star freshman of the game was Kopec, as her saves were what kept the Wildcats alive to see double overtime.

During the first overtime, senior midfielder Niki Molina gave the Wildcats their best opportunity for a goal in the closing minutes, but it was again saved by Mahoney.

Despite holding on for so long, the Wildcats finally led up a goal in the 106th minute of the game. A Villanova pass at midfield was picked off and the Huskies pounced on the breakaway. Jaydah Bedoya took a hard shot at Kopec, which she saved, but she deflected it back into play. UConn’s Jada Konte got to the deflection first, and she fired past Kopec and into the net to win the game for the Huskies.

A week later on Sunday, Oct. 23, the Wildcats played in their final home game of the season, falling to Butler, 3-0. The Wildcats conceded all three goals in the first half, and never challenged the Bulldogs.

Before the beginning of the game, the Wildcats honored all eight of their seniors: McClay, Molina, Allison Breed, Cici Fox, Brice McInroy, Tori Muller, Chloe O’Neill and Reagan Smith. These seniors have won 29 games over their four years as Wildcats, and in 2019 helped lead their team to the Big East Tournament semifinals for the first time in 10 years.

The team has earned an overall total of 15 Big East All-Academic Team honors and has been named

The women’s soccer team during their game against Butler Sunday.

Courtesy of Graydon Paul/Villanova Photography

to Athletic Director Honor Roll 23 times.

The Bulldogs jumped on the Wildcats early, getting on the board in the fifth minute when Amanda Kowalski and Abigail Isger helped set up Alli Leonard, who fired across goal and into the opposite corner of the net.

In the 31st minute, the Bulldogs were able to go up 2-0 when Isger scored on a pass from Julia Leonard, as Villanova was unable to clear after a fantastic save by Kopec, who tipped a shot onto the crossbar. To cap off this streak in the 37th minute, Katie Soderstorm scored the third and final goal of the game, as her mishit

cross sailed over Kopec’s head and into the side netting,

The best chance for the Wildcats came in the 54th minute when freshman Lauren Belcoure found Fried at the top of the box.

Fried broke away from two defenders and sent a strong shot at goal, but the Bulldogs’ goalkeeper, Emma Martin, made the save.

The final game of the Wildcats’ season will be on Thursday, Oct. 28, as the team travels to St. John’s in Queens, NY. The last time the Wildcats faced the Red Storm was on March 21, 2021, when they tied 2-2. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. and can be watched on BEDN on FloSports.

Football Shuts Out Rhode Island 44-0 Tyler Moore Staff Writer

After suffering a narrow defeat to Rhode Island in the 2020-21 season, the Villanova football team shut out the 18th ranked Rams 44-0 in a wet and slippery homecoming matchup. With the win, the Wildcats maintain the number one spot in the CAA and improve to 6-1 overall, 4-0 in conference play.

In their first shutout since 2017, the ‘Nova offense outgained Rhode Island by a 511-165 yard margin, composed of 297 yards rushing and 214 yards passing.

Senior running back Jalen Jackson completed his first career 100 yard rushing game with 12 carries and two touchdowns. Junior running back DeeWil Barley added to the rushing offense by running 19 times for 99 yards, and graduate quarterback Daniel Smith threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns.

“Our guys held their focus,” head coach Mark Ferrante said postgame. “They played with enthusiasm and passion. It was a complete effort by all three phases, and I’m happy with our maturity level.”

Villanova received the kick to start the game, and despite the Wildcats’ dominant play, the first half got off to a slow start as the rain came down. The rain’s impact was extreme and evident right away as a 3rd down pass to Barlee slipped through his hands, forcing a Wildcat

punt.

On the Rams first play of the game, a run up the middle went downhill as the ball fell out. Redshirt freshman free safety Ethan Potter recovered the fumble to get the ball back for the Wildcats, taking over at the URI 31.

‘Nova’s offense started to get to work following the quick shift in momentum. Smith kept the ball and ran it for five yards before handing it to Barlee on the next play. Barlee ran for a gain of nine yards for a 1st down. On a 3rd down play, Smith found a way to convert, as he sent a six yard pass to Summers for 1st and goal. Jackson ran up the middle on the following play into the endzone to put Villanova up 7-0.

The Wildcat offense once again took advantage of a forced three and out by the defense, as Barlee broke some tackles on 2nd and 5 for a 15 yard run and a 1st down. Jackson then kept the drive alive on a 3rd down play by converting up the middle. On 3rd and 4 deep in Rhode Island territory, Smith found Summers for a pass in the endzone, stretching the lead to 14-0.

The Rams offense needed a response after going down two touchdowns with the first quarter ending, but the ‘Nova defense forced a three and out and the Wildcats got the ball back.

The drive started with a pass to Summers up the middle for 14 yards and a 1st down at the

‘Nova 36. Smith handed the ball to Barlee on the next play, taking it 12 more yards for an additional 1st down. On a 4th and 3 play later in the drive, the ‘Cats found a way to convert, with Barlee running it up the middle for six yards. Just as the drive seemed to be coming to an end, Smith attempted a pass on 3rd down that was intercepted by a Ram defender, but a defensive holding call created a 1st down to save the drive. At the 23 yard line Smith took the snap and looked for Pringle in the endzone, who caught the ball and tip-toed out of bounds for a touchdown and increased the Wildcat lead to 21-0.

Yet again, Rhody needed a response, and at first the drive looked promising. Three stops by the Wildcats created a 4th and 5 for the Rams, and with the deficit so large, the Rams were forced to try and convert. Graduate linebacker Forrest Rhyne came up with a huge sack to end the Rams’ best drive of the game.

The Wildcat offense continued to have success, as graduate kicker Cole Bunce made a 41 yard field goal to increase the score to 24-0 and send the game to halftime.

Coming out of the half, the rain began again, after brief blue skies in the first half after the initial downpour. Rhode Island still could not find their groove on offense, as they went three and out to give ‘Nova the ball.

Smith found Pringle for a

42 yard reception to start the drive, and Barlee ran for 14 yards on the next play. After a few missed passes to the endzone, Bunce missed a field goal to keep the score at 24-0.

Despite the setback, Rhode Island could not gain any momentum, and the ‘Cats continued to pummel the Rams. Jackson continued his standout day with an easy run for 20 yards all the way to the endzone, putting the ‘Cats up for a convincing 31-0 lead.

However, the defense refused to let up. Senior defensive back Christian Benford intercepted a pass by Hill at the ‘Nova 46, marking a team high fifth interception of the season for Benford.

On the offensive side for the Rams, things were looking up yet again, but a holding penalty on a URI lineman ruined any shot at getting on the board, forcing yet another punt. Unfortunately, things got worse for Rhode Island, as the snap flew through the punter’s hands, but he fell on the ball to save a scoop and score.

In the fourth quarter, Jackson scored another touchdown and the defense forced another fumble, ending the game at 44-0.

Villanova looks to continue its run at home next Saturday, as William & Mary comes to play on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Tribe enters the game with a 5-2 record, losing just once against FBS opposition, and currently sits in third in the CAA.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The Villanovan | 18

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Field Hockey Loses Twice Tyler Moore Staff Writer

The Villanova field hockey team lost both games on the road over the weekend, as it fell to Quinnipiac by a score of 5-4 in overtime and to Holy Cross, 3-2. With the losses, the Wildcats fell to 6-11 on the season, 1-5 in Big East play.

Head coach Joanie Milhous made it clear after their fall break slate that consistency would be key to finishing the season. During break, the ‘Cats fell to #10 Liberty and #17 UConn before pulling off a win against Wagner. Milhous was content with the level of performance but wanted to see it in all four quarters.

“I want us to close out the season with one thing in mind,” Milhous said. “Play consistent Villanova field hockey every quarter. The skill level of our team is really strong.”

Unfortunately for ‘Nova, a loss came against Quinnipiac in a Big East battle the following Friday.

Senior goalkeeper Jordan McGinley started the game with a save, but both teams started slow.

Soon after, a Bobcat attacker snuck the ball into the back of the cage to put Quinnipiac ahead 1-0.

Soon after the score, senior midfielder Rachael Overlander found an opportunity to take a shot at the goal. Saved by the Quinnipiac keeper, the ball rebounded to sophomore forward Amanda Middleman’s stick, and Middleman’s shot got past the keeper to tie the contest at one.

The second period ended with only three shots, all of which were taken by Quinnipiac. The first was saved by McGinley, and the fol-

lowing two could not get to the goal, sending the teams into half with the score knotted at 1-1.

Just one minute into second half play, a Bobcat forward took a shot at McGinley and was able to retake the lead, putting the Bobcats ahead 2-1.

A minute later, the Wildcats made an offensive run of their own, beginning with a penalty corner by sophomore midfielder Jamie Pennington. Pennington passed the ball to the top of the circle where it was stopped by freshman midfielder Raina Smolij.

After some time, the ball found its way to sophomore back Sabine de Ruijter, and she shot the ball to the top of the net to yet again tie the game at 2-2.

Quinnipiac quickly responded with a goal of its own thanks to a blocked penalty corner, allowing the Bobcats to gain the advantage with a score of 3-2. The three goals were all scored within a 2:38 timespan.

The Wildcats became aggressive on offense, taking six more shots in the remaining minutes of the third period. However, none of the shots were able to sneak past the Bobcat keeper.

Early in the fourth period, Quinnipiac extended their lead to 4-2 with a shot past McGinley.

It was time for ‘Nova to get to work and that they did. With about 10 minutes left in the game, Middleman redirected a shot by de Ruijter for her second goal, cutting the Bobcat lead to just 4-3.

Middleman was not finished, completing her hat trick just two minutes later with a goal from within the circle to tie the game 4-4.

A few scoring opportunities

came up for both teams in the remaining minutes but neither were able to capitalize, sending play into overtime. It would not last long, however, as the Bobcats found the back of the net two minutes into the period, sending the ‘Cats home with a 5-4 loss.

An unlucky weekend for the Wildcats continued as they fell to Holy Cross on Saturday by a score of 3-2 in their final non-conference match of the year.

‘Nova got started early, as a penalty corner by Pennington allowed de Ruijter to take a shot on goal.

De Ruijter’s shot was blocked but it found its way to sophomore forward Meghan Mitchell, who then took a shot of her own. Junior forward Caitlin Van Goeverden was able to tip Mitchell’s shot into the cage to give the ‘Cats a 1-0 advantage.

The Wildcat offense kept up the pressure as the first period ended.

It continued into the second period and held the Crusaders scoreless

Freshman Anne Drabbe goes after the ball.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

going into halftime as they led 1-0.

‘Nova held a 12-4 shot advantage so far.

A minute into the second half of the game, ‘Nova continued its momentum with a goal by freshman midfielder Anne Drabbe, making the score 2-0. Drabbe found herself open by the goal after a series of Villanova offensive attacks.

The Crusaders would not be quiet for much longer as an attacker took a shot at the goal, making it past a diving McGinley. The lead was cut to 2-1 in favor of the ‘Cats.

In the fourth period Holy Cross was able to score two goals just a minute apart to take the lead over the Wildcats, 3-2. Villanova was unable to muster any offense in the remaining minutes to tie it up, giving the Crusaders a comeback win.

The Wildcats will travel to Washington D.C. on Friday for their final game of the season, taking on Georgetown. The game starts at 1 p.m.

Men’s and Women’s Swim Gets Ready to Start Season Aphrodite Dimopoulos Staff Writer

As the end of October approaches, Villanova’s swimming and diving teams are preparing for the 2021-22 season. On Oct. 16, the women’s team competed in its game opener at the Wolff-Zackin Natatorium of the University of Connecticut, winning 166.4-133.5. This first win was a strong start for the Villanova swimming and diving teams as they come off great success from last season.

At its meet against UConn, Villanova won 12 events with particularly dominant performances by graduate student Milly Routledge, senior Kelly Montesi, senior Nicole Welch, senior Abbey Berloco, senior Katelin Gravell and graduate student Elizabeth Bailey. Both Routledge and Montesi were triple winners, and Gravell was a double winner.

The ‘Cats found particular success in the freestyle races. Welch won the 500 free with a time of 5:06.12 and the 1000 free with a time of 10:31.99. Routledge finished first in the 50 with a time of 23.77, the 100 with a time of 51.82 and the 200 with a time of 1:52.51. In the 200 freestyle, Villanova pulled off a 1-2-3 sweep, with Routledge in first, Welch in a close second with a time of 1:54.99 and Berloco in third with a time of 1:55.17. These three combined for a total of 60 points in the individual freestyle events alone.

The meet was not a clear win

for Villanova from the start. It took Montesi’s 100 back first place win with a time of 56.11 to give the ‘Cats the lead. Later, Montesi also won the 200 back with a time of 2:00.24 and the 100 fly with a time of 54.91.

Bailey, a graduate student, swam for the first time as a Villanovan in this race. The transfer student from California won the 200 fly for Villanova with a time of 2:05.32. To close out the day, Villanova dominated in the 400 free relay with Berloco, junior Perri Stahl, Montesi and Routledge swimming a combined time of 3:31.16. The team led by just over a second midway through the race until Montesi pulled ahead with a strong third leg. The ‘Cats ended up defeating the Huskies by a final margin of 2.77 seconds.

This win was reminiscent of last spring’s Big East Championship, when Villanova bested UConn in the finals. Last spring, the women’s team brought home its eighth consecutive Big East title, an all-time record for the program. At the end of the match, Villanova amassed a total of 906.5 points to take home the trophy, with second place UConn trailing with a final total of 838 points.

This championship match truly projected Villanova into success for the 2021-22 season. Beyond winning 11 events at the championships, the team was able to retain many of its key performers. Last year, Montesi was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer, her second time obtaining this award.

Villanova women’s swimming celebrates their title last season.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Behind any strong team, however, is a strong coaching staff. At the end of last year’s season, head coach Rick Simpson and assistant coaches Laura McGlaughlin, Nate Brown and Conor Hassard were named Big East Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year for the eighth straight season.

The combination of a strong coaching staff, history and athletes proves for success in the coming season.

The women’s team is not alone in determining the success of Villanova Swimming and Diving.

The men’s squad is coming off of a second-place Big East Championship finish last spring. At the meet, the team won five individual events, along with a combined 15 medals. As for strong player retention, current senior Michael Ackert was named men’s Most Outstanding Diver at the end of the spring season and is prepared

to lead the team to continued success this season. Head diving coach Todd Michael was also given a remarkable distinction in the spring, as he was selected as the Big East Men’s Diving Coach of the Year. Between these two and an incredibly strong team, the men are preparing for success in the season.

Looking forward, the men and women’s teams will be competing at Georgetown University on Oct. 30 for the first combined meet of the season and the first meet of the season for the men.

On Nov. 5, the men will head off to the New Jersey Institute of Technology to compete against the Highlanders. Both teams will swim against the University of Pennsylvania on Nov. 10 and later travel to the WVU Invitational, which takes place from Nov. 18-20.

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The Villanovan | 19

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Volleyball Gets Swept In Straight Sets Twice Zac Tipton Staff Writer

Villanova traveled to Providence and #24 Creighton this past weekend. Villanova was taken down in three sets by Providence on Friday, 25-21, 25-20 and 25-19 and lost in three sets to Creighton, 25-19, 25-17 and 25-18.

Villanova came into Providence having won four of its last five matches, while the Friars were 13-8 but had just lost their last two matchups.

At the beginning of the first set, the game was close, as the Friars led 9-6. However, it didn’t take long for Providence to take control of the set, getting ahead 20-9. Villanova started to charge its way back, winning seven straight points thanks to two kills from sophomore hitter Riley Homer, before the run was halted by a kill from Providence’s Emma Fink. Villanova brought the game closer, pulling to within two points at 22-20, but Providence went on a 3-1 run to end the set, 25-21.

Homer led the Wildcats with four kills, while Fink finished with five for Providence.

The second set was a lot closer than the first. Villanova took the first point but never held the lead again, although the Wildcats never went away either, tying the game on three separate occasions. It wasn’t until Providence went on a 4-0 run to make it 23-18 that the Friars finally gained some breathing room, and despite a couple of points from ‘Nova, the Friars won the set, 25-20, and took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Shaliyah Rhoden led the

Friars in the set with five kills, while Homer and freshman outside hitter Rose Crist each had four kills for the Wildcats. Villanova had a better hitting percentage this set than Providence, with the Wildcats finishing with 14 kills and three assists, while Providence had 13 kills and three assists.

Villanova held an 8-7 lead in the third set of this match, but Providence went on a 7-0 run to take the 14-8 lead. Although Villanova was able to tighten it up at 22-17, a costly service error took away the Wildcats’ momentum and allowed the Friars to win the match, 25-19.

Six different players got a kill for Providence in the third set with Sasha Rudich and Maryanne Boyle leading with two. Crist had five kills in the third set for the ‘Cats. Errors proved to be critical, as Villanova made nine in the final set.

Crist led Villanova with 11 kills in the game, while Rhoden led the Friars with 10. Villanova fell to 12-9 and Providence improved to 14-8.

On Sunday, Villanova made the long trip to Omaha to face a Creighton team ranked 24th in the country, making it the second ranked team Villanova has faced this season.

However, head coach Josh Steinbach refused to change his approach despite a tough opponent.

“If you make it different, then it’s hard,” Steinbach said. “We just treat them like any other team.”

However, the Bluejays quickly showed their quality. In the first set, Creighton went on a 5-0 run to take a 6-3 lead and held the lead the rest of the way despite a late push by

Sophomore Madeline Barber hits the ball against Georgetown.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

Villanova to make it 18-16. Creighton finished the set on a 7-3 run, and Ellie Bolton finished it with a spike, ending the set in favor of the Bluejays, 25-19.

Villanova hit only .030 in the set on 33 hits, while Creighton hit .128 on 31 hits.

The second set was backand-forth with three lead changes, but Creighton went on a 4-0 run to take a 13-11 lead and never looked back. The Wildcats kept it close, only being down 21-17, but ultimately another 4-0 run by Creighton won them the set, 25-17.

Creighton’s Norah Sis led the Bluejays with four kills and two blocks in the set. Crist led the Wildcats with four kills.

The Bluejays took over quickly in the final set, taking a 17-3 lead. However, Villanova was able to fight back from the depths, going on

a 13-5 run behind kills from junior Kathleen Johnson and sophomore middle blocker Kiera Booth. The Wildcats brought it to within 2216, but Creighton finally sealed the match, winning the set, 25-18.

Johnson led the Wildcats with four kills in the last set, while Creighton was led by Sis and Keeley Davis, with two kills apiece.

Crist and Sis each led their respective teams with nine kills each, while Villanova’s Belle Morgan had 17 assists and 11 digs.

Villanova dropped to 1210 while Creighton continued its upward climb in the rankings with a record of 20-3. Villanova heads back home to face Seton Hall (11-3) on Friday and St John’s (13-11) on Saturday. The Wildcats sit in seventh in the conference, two games behind fourth placed Butler, with eight games remaining in the season.

Men’s Soccer Falls to DePaul, Beats Northwestern Owen Hewitt Staff Writer

Villanova men’s soccer lost its midweek Big East game to DePaul in double-overtime, 3-2, but was able to stop a four-game losing skid with a 2-0 victory over Northwestern on Sunday evening.

Wednesday’s matchup against DePaul at Higgins Soccer Complex got off to a bad start for the ‘Cats, as they gave up a goal within the first five minutes of play to Blue Demon senior forward Jack Richards. However, it wasn’t much longer until the Wildcats were able to respond, as in the 11th minute, freshman forward Balthi Saunders got a ball in from his striking partner junior forward Lyam MacKinnon. Saunders took a left-footed shot that flew out of the reach of Blue Demons freshman keeper Ghandi Cruz for his fourth goal of the season, evening the score at

Junior Lyam Mackinnon runs down the field.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

one.

Less than a minute after Saunders’ goal, the Blue Demons were awarded a penalty after a foul in the 18-yard box. Senior midfielder Jake Fuderer stepped up to take the kick and slotted the ball home to give the Blue Demons back the lead.

The situation calmed down through the end of the half. It wasn’t until the 78th minute that the Wildcats were able to find their answer in the form of a diving header by junior midfielder Anthony Dragisics, once again off a feed from MacKinnon, giving him his second assist of the game.

Dragisics’ effort to get to the low ball was rewarded in the form of evening the score at two all.

Things remained level through the end of regulation. The two squads were able to create some serious chances through the first period of overtime, but

Sophomore midfielder Dominic Cyriacks collects the ball.

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

it was ultimately the second additional period that would contain the game’s finish, as sophomore midfielder Omar Ramadan tucked away a rebound that fell to his feet to give the Blue Demons the victory, 3-2.

For Sunday evening’s match, the story went quite differently. This time, it was Villanova that got off to a hot start and never looked back in its last non-conference game of the year.

MacKinnon was awarded a penalty kick in the 22nd minute, which he elected to take himself.

He was able to convert, going right down the middle and fooling Northwestern keeper Ethan Bandre and giving Villanova an early 1-0 advantage.

Sophomore forward Luke Pompliano then contributed to ‘Nova’s lead with a first half goal of his own, as he dribbled past a

Northwestern defender and drilled a shot into the right side of the goal. It was Pompliano’s first goal of the season.

Villanova played well on the defensive side of the ball, aided by the return of junior defensive midfielder Josh Belluz from a four-game injury absence. ‘Nova’s backline limited the Northwestern attack all game long, with senior keeper Kent Dickey only needing to make four stops to secure his second shutout of the season.

The Wildcats have just two games left in the season, one at Providence on Oct. 30, and a home game against Seton Hall on Nov. 3 to close out the regular season. The Wildcats are currently in fifth place in the conference, one point behind fourth placed Butler, who has a game in hand. The top four seeds make the Big East Championship.

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