< Previous2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL Director of Athletics, Mark Jackson 40 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM Mark Jackson is in his sixth year as the Villanova University Director of Athletics in 2020-21 and he was named to the position of Vice President on January 13, 2020. Jackson is part of the univer- sity’s senior leadership team and serves as a direct liaison between the Athletics Department and the broader campus com- munity. As Vice President and Director of Athletics, he is responsible for providing executive leadership, strategic direction and oversight for all of Villanova’s 24 varsi- ty sports and more than 600 student-ath- letes. He is also charged with managing the department’s fiscal affairs, personnel, stra- tegic planning, facilities, general operations and public relations. Villanova is a member of the BIG EAST Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association Football Conference, and also competes in the Colonial Athletic Association (rowing) and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (water polo). Club sports and an extensive intramurals and recreation program fall under the auspices of the Athletics Department. Jackson’s vision for Villanova Athletics during his time on campus has been a commitment to excellence in every facet of the student-athlete experience, and to fostering an environment that allows the Wildcats to be successful on all fronts while maintaining the university’s place among the nation’s elite institutions for the com- bination of its academic prestige, athletic achievement and community service. To this end, Jackson was announced as one of 28 winners of the Under Armour AD of the Year Award in March 2020. The award is presented by The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and highlights the efforts of athletics direc- tors at all levels for their commitment and positive contributions to student-athletes, campuses and their surrounding commu- nities. Villanova was presented with the BIG EAST Conference President’s Cup in three of the first four years that the across-the- board honor was presented. The President’s Cup recognizes the BIG EAST member school that has excelled at an elite level in athletic competition, academic perfor- mance, community service and leadership. Jackson’s commitment to all mem- bers of the campus community stood out during an unprecedented year of challeng- es in 2019-20, as he directed the Villanova Athletics response to the COVID-19 pan- demic and expanded the department’s UNITAS initiative which collaborates with all areas of the campus community to fos- ter an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion. In May 2020, Jackson formed the Caritas Task Force which was officially tasked with guiding the plan for the Reopening of Villanova Athletics for the Fall 2020 semester. The task force is comprised of senior administrators, department staff and coaches. Jackson also worked tirelessly during the spring and summer months to keep the Villanova Athletics community regularly connected and engaged through frequent department communications and virtual town hall meetings for student-ath- letes and their families. Under Jackson’s watch, the Wildcats have celebrated two national champion- ships in men’s basketball and an individual national title in men’s cross country. The last five years have seen 10 different sports programs earn team or individual berths to national postseason competition, while Villanova has won 20 conference champi- onships and produced dozens of individual conference titles during Jackson’s tenure. The momentum of the department’s success was not diminished by a shortened 2019-20 season of competition. Villanova celebrated BIG EAST titles in men’s cross country, men’s basketball, women’s swim- ming & diving, men’s indoor track & field and women’s indoor track & field. The foot- ball team along with the men’s and wom- en’s cross country teams each advanced to national postseason competition during the fall. Villanova had BIG EAST Coaches of the Year in men’s cross country, men’s indoor track & field, women’s indoor track & field, women’s swimming and men’s diving in 2019-20. Additional conference honors were the BIG EAST Freshman of the Year in both men’s and women’s bas- ketball, the CAA Football Chuck Boone Leadership Award winner, the BIG EAST Most Outstanding Women’s Swimmer and the BIG EAST Most Outstanding Men’s Diver. The 2019-20 campaign also saw the Wildcats have All-Americans in men’s basketball, women’s cross country, men’s lacrosse and baseball to go along with 26 individual conference champions and 134 All-Conference honors. Several notable success stories high- lighted athletic competition in 2018-19, beginning with men’s basketball continuing to set the BIG EAST standard by winning the conference regular season and tourna- ment titles as the defending national cham- pions. The women’s swimming & diving team set a program record by winning the BIG EAST title for a sixth consecutive year, while the women’s cross country and track & field teams completed a second straight “triple crown” with BIG EAST titles during the cross country, indoor and outdoor sea- sons. The men’s and women’s cross country teams each earned team berths to the NCAA Championships, the men’s basket- ball team played in the NCAA Tournament for the 14th time in the past 15 years and the women’s basketball team advanced to the WNIT to notch its 17th national postsea- son berth in the past 20 years. The academic achievement of Wildcats student-athletes continues to break records even at a university with a history of stand- ing out on the national level for success in the classroom. Villanova topped all of Division I in 2018 and 2019 with the high- est number of its sports programs earning NCAA public recognition awards by hav- ing a multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score that ranked within the top 10 percent of their sport. In 2020, each of Villanova’s sport programs met or exceed- ed the national average APR score from all Division I schools. Despite having to adjust on the fly to virtual learning during the Spring 2020 semester, Wildcats stu- dent-athletes set a department record with a 3.637 GPA. It marked the 34th straight semester that the mark has been over a 3.0 and the 11th straight grading period that the student-athlete GPA has been higher than a 3.2. 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL Vilanova Stadium WWW.VILLANOVA.COM n 43 Villanova Stadium, home to Wildcat football, field hockey, lacrosse, and track and field teams, has a long and suc- cessful tradition. The Wildcats begin their 93rd season of conducting intercollegiate athletic events inside the distinguished on-campus stadium in 2020. Officially dedicated on October 8, 1927, the Wildcats wasted no time establishing a winning tradition inside their new stadi- um, winning the opening football contest against Lebanon Valley 32-7. The ‘Cats went on to extend their home win streak to 14 games before finally suffering its first football defeat in Villanova Stadium in 1930. Because this historic site includes two memorials to former Wildcats, alumni and fans often forget that the official name of this complex is Villanova Stadium, as it was originally dedicated back in 1927. The first memorial came soon after Villanova Stadium opened. On October 2, 1928, Leo J. Goodreau, a sophomore on the football team, died as a result of injuries received during football practice. On May 7, 1930, his classmates dedicated the playing field to his memory, with a plaque located at the main entrance to the stadium. On September 27, 1980, the track encircling Goodreau Field was dedicated to long- time Villanova track & field coach James “Jumbo” Elliott. Therefore, the ‘Cats play football and lacrosse on Goodreau Field, while the track team runs on the Elliott Track, all within Villanova Stadium. The stadium was originally completed at a cost of $500,000 in 1927. Able to seat approximately 5,500 spectators, the stadium was recognized as one of the fin- est on-campus collegiate stadiums in the country. In 1930, the stadium had its first addition as concrete stands on the north side were added, increasing the Villanova Stadium seating capacity to 12,000. While the Wildcats continued to expand on their success inside Villanova Stadium, the sta- dium itself remained relatively un changed until 1958 when the seating capacity was again increased. Extending the seating in both the north and south seating areas, Villanova Stadium capacity was increased to 13,400. A re-configuring of seats, and replacement of the entire seating with new aluminum bleachers in the summer of 1990 reduced the seating capacity of Villanova Stadium to its current 12,000. In 1980, Villanova undertook a $1.3 mil- lion renovation of the playing surfaces inside the stadium. The old grass playing field and the ‘Cats’ legendary cinder track were torn up and removed and replaced by an AstroTurf playing field and an eight- lane, Rubaturf 400-meter track. Completed in August 1980, Villanova’s new track was officially dedicated the Jumbo Elliott Track on September 27, 1980 in honor of the Wildcat’s legendary track and field coach. Twenty-two former track Olympians from Villanova and a score of other Wildcat track and field greats gathered for the official track dedication during halftime of the sold out Villanova – Boston College homecom- ing football game, a contest the Wildcats won with an impressive 20-9 showing. In November of 1980, six 100-foot light towers, three on the north and three on the south sides of Villanova Stadium, were installed giving Villanova’s historic stadium the capability of evening and night time use. Prior to 1980, there had been one night football game in Villanova Stadium, a 20-20 tie with the Parris Island Marines on October 31, 1952. It wasn’t until November 19, 1987, in front of a national ESPN cable television audience, Villanova faced NCAA I-AA No. 1 ranked Holy Cross in the stadi- um’s first-ever intercollegiate night football game. New to Villanova Stadium in the fall of 1992 was a fresh Astroturf-8 playing field, and Rekortan-S track. Installed in the sum- mer of 1992, the $1.25 million project began after Villanova’s commencement exercises were concluded in the Stadium on Sunday, May 10. The next day, work began on the refurbishment of the playing field and track. The original Astroturf and Rubaturf surfac- es, installed during the summer of 1980, were torn up, and the new surfaces installed over the course of three months. Each year, Villanova Stadium plays host to a wide assortment of athletic contests ranging from CYO and club levels to high school and international events. Hosting all- star athletic events as well as high school championships, the Jumbo Elliott Track annually hosts some of the East’s top col- legiate track and field meets, including 25 of the last 39 Big East Conference outdoor track and field championships. In Noveber, 1991, the Stadium hosted the NCAA Field Hockey National Championship, won by Old Dominion University. In the fall of 1998, Villanova Stadium was the site of the Big East Field Hockey Championship. In May of 2013, Villanova Stadium hosted the NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse national cham- pionships. In the fall of 1999, the Stadium under- went yet another face-lift with the Stadium Renovation Project. Included in this proj- ect was a state of the art press box that included a first class facility for both print and radio media to use, in addition to housing an 80-person meeting room for all Villanova Athletic Department personnel to use. Yet, most of all, Villanova Stadium is known for Wildcat Football. Since mak- ing their debut in Villanova Stadium back in 1927, the Wildcats have compiled an impressive 247-105-5 overall won-loss-tie record on their home field, for a .687 winning percentage. Since the revival of Wildcat Football in 1985, Villanova is 137- 58-0 at Villanova Stadium, and 80-46 in home conference contests. There was a new look to Villanova Stadium in 2002, as the former AstroTurf playing field was replaced during the spring of 2002 with a synthetic grass surface known as AstroPlay. The Jumbo Elliott Track underwent a remodeling effort in the summer of 2007. Installed was a BSS 1000, 13 mm dual durometer, full pour polyurethane track system. The new track surface will provide the Wildcat Track & Field Program with a first class running venue. In the summer of 2018, Villanova Stadium underwent another renovation when AstroTurf with rubber infill was installed. This surface includes a root zone 3D3 blend with a brock shock pad as the sublayer. The AstroTurf will provide the stadium with a first class playing surface for all Wildcat teams to use for both practice and game competition. Villanova will play its 93rd season at Villanova Stadium in 2020.2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL To Our Fans 44 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Villanova University is responsible for exercising “institutional control” over its intercollegiate athletics program. The NCAA holds the University accountable for the acts of anyone identified as a Villanova University “athletics representative.” By definition, an “athletics representative” is any individual who is: n A season ticket holder. n A member of an institutional athletics booster club. n Involved in providing jobs or internships for enrolled student-athletes. n Involved in promoting the institution’s athletics program. n Has ever been involved with the Villanova University athletics program. n Has made contributions to booster clubs or to the athletics department. Once “athletics representative” status has been reached, fans retain that status for life. Under NCAA legislation, “athletics representatives” are prohibited from any contact (e.g., letters, telephone calls, face-to-face, and social media) with a prospective student-athlete or the prospect’s relatives or legal guardians for purposes of recruiting. Such contacts are to be initiated exclusively by authorized athletics department staff members. Athletics representatives are subject to NCAA legislation which requires member institutions to revoke or withhold privi- leges from any individual who has engaged in conduct that is determined by the NCAA, or its member conferences, to be in violation of NCAA legislation, regardless of whether such violation results in the imposition of sanctions. Such benefits or privileges may include, but are not limited to, ticket privileges being withheld by the University to any University-hosted athletics event, for a period of time which the NCAA, and its member conferences, deems appropriate. We request that “athletics representatives” do not make recruiting contact with prospective student-athletes at any time. No matter how well-meaning your intentions, any contact you make with a prospective student-athlete places you, our University, and the Villanova University athletics program at risk of receiving NCAA sanctions. If you have any questions, before taking action, please contact our compliance office at the address below and telephone number for clarification. Should you wish to receive more information on applicable NCAA policies, our compliance office will be happy to provide additional information and clarification to you. To request a free copy of our “Guide to NCAA Rules…for Alumni, Faculty & Friends” or to receive clarification of NCAA rules before taking any actions, please email athletics.compliance@villanova.edu or call 610-519-6607. We are grateful for your wonderful and enthusiastic support, and we appreciate your attention to all NCAA regulations regarding Villanova University prospective and enrolled student-athletes. Thank you, Katie LeGrand, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL On the Air WWW.VILLANOVA.COM n 45 VILLANOVA ATHLETICS WEBSITE WWW.VILLANOVA.COM 860 AM GAMEDAY RADIO n Game notes n Statistics n Schedule and results n Digital media guide • Villanova apparel NOVA NATION ALL-ACCESS n Live and on demand coverage of Villanova sporting events, including every Wildcats football game n Fans can access by going to www.villa- nova.com, mouse over “Fan Zone” then select Nova Nation All Access beneath multimedia VILLANOVA RADIO NETWORK Beasley Media Group will carry all Villanova Football and Basketball games for the 2020-2021 season. Villanova Football, the 2009 NCAA FCS champion and 13-time NCAA playoff par- ticipant, is led by fourth-year coach Mark Ferrante. Play-by-play announcer Ryan Fannon and analyst Kevin Reilly will call all the Wildcat action. VILANOVA ON TUNEIN RADIO .sn Fans can access Villanova TuneIn by going to www.villanova.com, mouse over “Fan Zone” then select TuneIn beneath multimedia or visit the Football Schedule and select TuneIn located to the right of the game day match up. 2021 VILLANOVA FOOTBALL Spotlight: Women’s Swimming & Diving 48 n WWW.VILLANOVA.COM Villanova won 11 gold medals over four inspiring days of competition and won its program-record eighth consecutive BIG EAST team title as the conference champi- onships concluded at the SPIRE Institute. Last weekend the Wildcats saw the team score 906.5 points to finish ahead of run- ner-up Connecticut (838) and the rest of the six-team field at the BIG EAST Championships. The gold medal haul for Villanova included champions in seven indi- vidual events and first place finishes in four of the five relays. Junior swimmer Kelly Montesi (Greenwich, Conn.) was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer for the second time in her career after cap- turing three individual titles and swimming a leg of three champion relay teams. She won the 400 yard individual medley for the third straight year and the 200 yard individual medley for the second year in a row. Montesi also won her second career title in the 200 yard butterfly, which she previously swam as a freshman when she won the Most Outstanding Swimmer honor for the first time. In this weekend’s relays, Montesi led off the 400 yard freestyle relay and anchored the 800 yard freestyle relay in addition to swimming the butterfly leg of the 200 yard medley relay which tied for first place. Head coach Rick Simpson and his staff were named the Women’s Coaching Staff of the Year for the eighth straight season. Simpson accepted the honor along with assistant coaches Laura McGlaughlin, Nate Brown and Conor Hassard as well as diving coach Todd Michael. Montesi and senior Milly Routledge (North Ascot, United Kingdom) have each won 17 career gold medals at the BIG EAST Championships. After her performance this weekend, Montesi has won eight career individual titles and has been a part of nine relay champions. Routledge is a five-time individual champion and a 12-time relay champion. She won two of her five gold medals over the last two nights, as she suc- cessfully defended her titles in both the 100 yard freestyle and the 200 yard freestyle. The other individual champions for the Wildcats were freshman Audrey Pastorek (Savannah, Ga.) in the 200 yard backstroke and sophomore Danielle Scarano (New Windsor, N.Y.) in the one-meter diving com- petition. Villanova started off the meet on April 7 when it tied Xavier for first place in the 200 medley relay. Routledge, senior Rayann Jaryszak (Arlington, Texas), Montesi and sophomore Perri Stahl (La Grange, Ill.) were the lineup for the Wildcats in that race. Later the same night, Villanova won the 800 free relay with Routledge, junior Abbey Berloco (Cranbury, N.J.), junior Nicole Welch (Beverly, Mass.) and Montesi in the lineup. Last Saturday night’s lineup in the 400 free relay featured Montesi, Berloco, freshman Lexi Elkovitch (New Albany, Ohio) and Routledge. The team also won the 200 free relay on Thursday night with a quartet of Routledge, Stahl, Elkovitch and Berloco. VILLANOVA WINS 8TH STRAIGHT BIG EAST TITLENext >