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TBT: Admitted Students Day

By Anna Jankowski

collage of ticket stubs, flyers, and seals

In honor of Admitted Students Day tomorrow, Falvey Memorial Library wants to welcome all the new Wildcats to campus with this throwback collage. In this you can see clippings from the Villanovan, ticket stubs from Villanova Basketball games, Villanova exam books, and the Blue Key Society Seal. We would like to thank the Blue Key Society for creating an amazing event to welcome all our new students to campus!

Source:https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:562156#?c=&m=&s=&cv=1&xywh=2472%2C1687%2C2033%2C1205 


Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.


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Curious Cat: Superstitions & Pre-Game Rituals

By Elijah McDow & Ethan Shea

"Curious Cat Banner"

For this week’s Curious Cat, Elijah and Ethan are tapping into Villanova’s recent March Madness success. Our campus’s enthusiasm for the Wildcats inspired them to ask the question: “Do you do any superstitious pre-game rituals before watching basketball games?” A total of six Falvey patrons volunteered to answer this question. Here’s what they had to say:

"Curious Cat Photo"

“I actually don’t, aside from making sure I watch the game.”

— William Crites ’23

“A lucky pair of socks I haven’t washed since the tournament started.”

— Kevin Heist ’23

“The same shirt I’ve worn to other games we’ve won.”

— Lilly Kaye ’25

“I don’t, but I’m gonna start chewing the same gum during all winning games.”

— Hannah Slattery ’25

“Wearing the same jersey during every game.”

— Jane Maleady ’25

“A lucky handshake with my friends before every game.”

— Alice Korolev ’25


Elijah McDow is a College of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Student.

 

 

 

 

 

Ethan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library

Headshot of Ethan Shea


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TBT: Final Four

By Anna Jankowski

This Saturday at 6:10pm, the Wildcats will face the Jayhawks in the first Final Four game of the NCAA tournament. Campus is abuzz with excitement and Villanova team spirit! Check out this pin from the 1985 NCAA tournament when the Wildcats made an appearance in the Final Four. That year, the team went on to win the Championship. We are wishing our Men’s Basketball Team the best of luck this weekend as they attempt to bring home another trophy!


Anna Jankowski ’23 CLAS is a Junior Communication Major from just outside Baltimore who ​​works as a Communication & Marketing Assistant in Falvey.


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Cat in the Stax: Semester Rewind

By Ethan Shea

For my last “Cat in the Stax” of the semester, I thought it would be fun to write a semester recap and reflect on some of my favorite moments from fall 2021 while looking ahead toward what the new year holds!

To get the obvious out of the way, this was my first semester at Villanova University and first time publishing “Cat in the Stax” blogs. In my humble opinion, I think the transition to life as a wildcat has gone smoothly, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Villanova community.

"Cow Community" by Yunuen Cho

“Cow Community” by Yunuen Cho

As for my favorite “Cat in the Stax” blog, I have to say I’m particularly attached to my post for Hispanic Heritage Month, “Appreciating Hispanic Visual Artists.” I really enjoyed the research that went into that blog, and I loved having the opportunity to promote an upcoming artist.

Writing these blogs has had a substantial impact on my day-to-day life too. After writing about Fantastic Mr. Fox in the “Fall Films for the Faint of Heart” blog, I put the movie on repeat for the next month and started listening to the soundtrack while studying. A couple songs from the film even made it onto my Spotify Wrapped! Additionally, since writing the blog on “Hayao Miyazaki’s (Un)retirement” a few weeks ago, I’ve been watching Studio Ghibli movies whenever I get the chance. I won’t be surprised if some Ghibli scores make it onto my wrapped playlists in 2022.

And speaking of music, my “What are you listening to ?” blog from early in the semester was definitely a highlight for me. It forced me to narrow down some of my favorite musicians and choose a group of artists with diverse styles to present. I enjoyed the process of putting what I love about each album to words too. It helped me appreciate the music even more than I already did.

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Scene from “Fantastic Mr. Fox”

"Album cover of the album 'Mood Valiant" by Hiatus Kaiyote"

“Mood Valiant” by Hiatus Kaiyote

“Cat in the Stax” blogs also taught me lots of fun facts. For example, who knew the Department of Transportation oversees timezones in the United States? I certainly didn’t until I wrote “Why Daylight Saving Time Scares Me.” Moreover, discovering that late-night study sessions can actually be productive by writing the “Answering All Your Study Questions” blog has made me feel a lot better about my nocturnal habits.

And we can’t forget the memorable events tied to “Cat in the Stax” blogs this semester. My personal favorite was Wildcat Thrifting. Not only was this the first student-run Wildcat Thrift ever, I also discovered some more places to thrift near campus while writing the blog for it.

"Photo from Wildcat Thrift Event"

Photo from Wildcat Thrift

As for next semester, there are plenty of occasions I’m looking forward to. For one, Lit Fest 2022 is sure to be a hit, and I’m excited to learn about all the amazing writers that will be there!

There are plenty more “Cat in the Stax” blogs to come next year, and I truly appreciate everyone who reads these posts!

To wrap things up, I hope everyone enjoys winter break and finds time to read a good book. Happy holidays!

 


Headshot of Ethan SheaEthan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library.


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Cat in the Stax: Wildcat Thrifting

By Ethan Shea

"Photo from Wildcat Thrift Event"

Vendor Station at Wildcat Thrift Event

Last Friday, Villanova hosted the first-ever Wildcat Thrift Shop. As someone who loves to thrift, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to write about another interest of mine while hopefully learning something in the process.

The recent thrifting event seemed to be very popular, and I’m not surprised. There are plenty of reasons to thrift.

For one, new clothes are ridiculously expensive. As cute as that jacket at Urban Outfitters is, I can’t bring myself to spend $90 on it, so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, thrifting is the way to go.

"Students waiting to enter a busy Wildcat Thrift event"

Students wait to enter a busy Wildcat Thrift event

Thrifting is also sustainable! By re-using or repurposing an article of clothing, you’re preventing it from ending up in a landfill. You’re also distancing yourself from the waste that comes with packaging new products. I can confirm from working in retail for a couple years that A LOT of waste is created in the process of shipping new clothing to stores.

Just as thrifting invites shoppers to make a positive environmental impact, Falvey Library is keen on sustainability initiatives. The JSTOR Sustainability database is accessible through Falvey and will keep you updated on all things eco-friendly. If you’d like to read more on this topic, check out this blog from earlier this year.

Although Villanova’s recent event was all about finding new outfits, thrifting is not only about clothes. You can find all sorts of strange and entertaining items at thrift stores. One of my favorite purchases was a Coca-Cola themed toaster designed to toast hotdogs and hotdog buns. Did I ever use this toaster? No, but it was only $5 and a great conversation starter, so I have no regrets.

And don’t forget about used books! Most thrift shops sell books for only a few dollars, and you can usually find some classics on their shelves. The amount of second-hand books I’ve bought rivals the number of books I’ve checked out from the library, which goes to show that reading can find its way into just about any activity.

Finally, furniture is another great item to thrift. My aunt and uncle are experts at taking used furniture and “flipping,” or refurbishing and altering, the old pieces to make them into something that is both stylish and seemingly brand new. They were actually featured in an episode (Season 14 Episode 4) of Flea Market Flip on HGTV!

A few places near campus to thrift are the Bryn Mawr Hospital Thrift Shop, the Goodwill in East Norriton (my local Goodwill), and the Junior League Thrift Shop.

Altogether, for the sake of your pockets, your style, and our environment, be sure to visit your local thrift shop as soon as possible!


Headshot of Ethan SheaEthan Shea is a first-year English Graduate Student at Villanova University and Graduate Assistant at Falvey Memorial Library.


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Wildcats: Then & Now

picture of a Football Brochure, 1958

The spirit of the Villanova Wildcats is strong in all that we do – whether it’s dominating in the sports realm, succeeding academically, or “proving them wrong” by wearing our masks on- and off-campus. Above you can see a picture depicting the 1958 football schedule along with two pictures of Wildcats. Although Will D. Cat’s look may have evolved over the years, ultimately the ability of Wildcats to successfully survive and adapt is the spirit the Villanova community embodies. 

Here are a couple of fun throwback facts about the Villanova Wildcats:

  1. Villanova’s Wildcat most closely resembles the bobcat, which is found in the Southwest part of the United States.
  2. In 1930, 1945, 1947, and 1949 Villanova acquired a wildcat that was kept in a cage on campus at the Fieldhouse and traveled to both home and away games.
  3. For a short period during the late 1970s and early 1980s the word “cat” was added to the name of the individual sports: “Trackcats”, “Watercats”, and “Polocats.”

To read and see more about the evolution of the Wildcats, visit the digital library exhibit Wildcats Past & Present: Moments from the History of Sports at Villanova.


Headshot of post author and graduate assistant, Jenna NewmanJenna Newman is a graduate assistant in Falvey Memorial Library and a graduate student in the Communication Department. Current mood: Rocking my Villanova mask around campus.


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#TBT Comeback ‘Cats: By Popular Demand, Football Returns to Villanova

photo of plastis football

 

In 1984, Villanova Football made its triumphant return to campus.

A constant at the University since 1894, football was not played at Villanova for three seasons, until alumni and students rallied to revive the Wildcat gridders. The effort even included a benefit at the Philadelphia Academy of Music with legendary comedian Bob Hope!

During this first season, football cheerleaders tossed this palm-size football (now in the University Archives) to the home crowd. The team played at the Division III level and featured a shortened five-game schedule, going undefeated. New Head Coach Andy Talley would helm the team for 230 wins over 37 seasons and send many players to the NFL, including Philadelphia Eagles great Brian Westbrook.

 


headshot of Shawn Proctor

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shawn Proctor, MFA, Communications and Marketing Program Manager at Falvey Memorial Library, says his favorite Villanova football player is Matt Szczur (pronounced “Caesar”) who led the team to a national championship in 2009.


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Last Modified: August 22, 2019

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