At Villanova University, almost all students can agree that our men’s and women’s basketball teams have performed exceptionally well in the past several years. Most notably, the men’s team has seen a resurgence of strength that many in our community believed left with Jay Wright’s retirement following the 2021-2022 season. However, today the women’s basketball team is the runner-up in the Big East Tournament, and the men’s team is a lock for the NCAA tournament. This leaves many wondering about how much of Villanova’s identity is tied to basketball. Although some may argue that too much of Villanova’s brand identity is tied to the sport, it is important to consider the amount of recognition basketball has brought to our community and the ways it has shaped our presence nationwide.
When applying to colleges, students often want a good balance of academics, parties, and, of course, sports. When I applied to Villanova, I wanted the same things. Although I am not going to tell any stories about being a childhood fan of Villanova basketball and watching the 2016 national championship live because that is not true, I attest that when I entered the Finn in February of 2024 after getting my acceptance letter, I knew where I would call home for the next four years. Using this information, I often consider what Villanova would be like without basketball. There would be no trips to the Xfinity Mobile Arena or Hoops Mania, both huge parts of Villanova culture.
Moving beyond the individual student, on a global scale, Villanova’s investment in shaping basketball as a significant part of its identity has trademarked its name in many positive ways. When Kris Jenkins hit the shot to beat North Carolina in the 2016 NCAA championship, Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, and Mikal Bridges were all present. Today, they play together for the New York Knicks and have earned themselves and Villanova widespread recognition for their resilience on the court. As a result, it is important to consider these factors when weighing the costs and benefits of a college’s further investment in its sports programs.
Looking at the women’s basketball team, a similarly identifiable legacy is evident in Maddy Siegrist. During her time at Villanova, Siegrist made the all-Big East first team three times, while also becoming the all-time leading scorer in program history. After graduating from Villanova in 2023, Siegrist played in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings. Looking at both the legacy of the women’s program and the men’s program through the success of their alumni, it becomes much easier to see why Villanova does and should continue to invest in the future of both programs.
Basketball is part of Villanova’s culture, and without it, the unity of our community every winter would be lost.
As a result, the facts above should serve as a reminder of why many colleges invest large amounts of money in their sports programs and help one better understand why Villanova chooses to do so for its basketball teams.
