Villanova announced on Monday, Sep. 9 that it has added award-winning writer Dana O’Neil to the athletics staff. O’Neil will fill the newly-created Senior Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communication role.

O’Neil has over 25 years of experience as a sports journalist. She started in 2001 as a beat writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, covering Villanova Basketball. O’Neil joined ESPN as a national correspondent after her stint with the Philadelphia Daily News.

Her most recent work before joining Villanova Athletics was with The Athletic.

At The Athletic, O’Neil covered many notable sports stories, including World Series runs, Final Fours, Super Bowls and more.

During her stint with The Athletic, O’Neil also authored three books, two of which highlighted Villanova.

O’Neil grew up in Stockton, New Jersey, then eventually settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Although she has a storied career in sports journalism, that was not her original career path.

“I went to Penn State intent on majoring in business,” O’Neil said to Visit Bucks County Pennsylvania. “I figured out after one week of economics class that it wasn’t for me. By luck, the resident advisor on my floor was on The Daily Collegian. I made the paper and declared to my parents that I wanted to be a sportswriter. I’ve never looked back.”

O’Neil is pivoting her career to a new form of work. She is excited and ready to bring her vast experiences and work to Villanova.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with Villanova, a university and athletics program I know well and have always respected,” O’Neil said to Villanova Athletics. “College sports are evolving rapidly but Villanova’s commitment to its core values has long set it apart from the rest. I look forward to helping the University navigate the changes while maintaining its identity, and what makes it a truly special place.”