By AJ Balinski

Courtesy of Villanova University Archives

Courtesy of Villanova Athletics

All Wildcats know basketball is a big deal on Villanova’s campus–students go all out to support both the men’s and women’s teams, whether at “The Finn” or their downtown home, the Wells Fargo Center. Above, we flash back to the legendary 1985 team, which met President Ronald Reagan after winning the championship, and to Shelly Pennefather ’87, a standout player and now a cloistered nun known as Sister Rose Marie of the Queen of Angels.

This year, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams will be facing off against Virginia Commonwealth University in the National Invitation Tournament and the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament, respectively. Villanova has only played VCU once before, with the men’s team sprinting to a win by more than 20 points and the women’s team narrowly losing by two.

On campus, the men’s team hosts VCU Wednesday, March 20, at 9 p.m., and the women’s team follows Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

Check out some of our favorite Villanova basketball memories from past tournaments and keep those V’s high as Villanova looks to advance!

AJ Balinski ’26 CLAS is a Communication major from Gibraltar, Mich. She works as a Communication & Marketing Student Assistant at Falvey Library.

By Shawn Proctor

Chris Ford ’79 Villanova basketball legend passed away on Jan. 17 at age 74.

His list of accomplishments is long. At Villanova, Ford played on teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament three times, reaching the finals in 1971. He helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA title in 1981 and coached for several years at the professional level. But, perhaps, Ford is best known for a shot heard around the world.

The first 3-point shot, that is. (Note: there is an open question about whether he or Kevin Grevey hit the shot first, according to a Jan. 21 article in the The New York Times by Richard Goldstein. Who shot first? The world may never know.)

The shot has come to define basketball, as much as the slam dunk. So next time you’re sitting with friends and watching a game of basketball, make sure to recount Ford’s accomplishment that faithful night Oct. 12, 1979.

“A creative, gifted tough (Villanova) guard,” former Villanova coach Jay Wright posted on Twitter, according an Associated Press article posted Jan. 18. “He was more of an idol when I knew him as a great man, loyal friend and passionate (Villanova) alumni. Chris is loved by the VU community. I will miss our talks.”

If you want to learn more about Chris Ford, visit Falvey Library’s newly revamped Digital Library, where you can find images above as well as read issues of The Villanovan, the student newspaper. Access to the article about Ford’s life and accomplishments was made possible by Falvey Library’s subscriptions, available to the University’s students and faculty.

Shawn Proctor is Communication and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Library.

Image courtesy of the Villanova University Archives.

Thank you, Coach Wright.

Thank you for the wonderful memories these past 21 years. Thank you for your dedication to Villanova basketball and the Villanova community.

Over the past few days, many have commented on Coach Wright’s legacy; just ask Jessica Bianchi ’20, who quantified Wright’s greatness in her honors thesis for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. ‘Nova Nation is thankful for Coach Wright’s leadership and attitude—both on and off the basketball court. His values and principles have had a lasting impact on all Villanovans, inspiring us to be leaders in our own lives.

As the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, Villanova President, says, “Jay taught us all the true meaning of attitude.” That mindset will stay with us all, whether we’re playing for a team, learning in the classroom, or upholding Villanova’s Augustinian tradition.

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.

Kallie Stahl ’17 MA is Communication and Marketing Specialist at Falvey Memorial Library.