Oct. 8, 2015 Villanova, Pa. - Villanova, Pa. -
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The first six weeks of the semester have been busy for Villanova student-athletes, filled with orientations, seminars, and community service.
The first event of the year took place on Monday, August 24th, the first day of classes, as Villanova Athletics welcomed 160 freshmen student-athletes to campus with an Orientation Dinner. This gave the freshmen the opportunity to meet Athletic staff members and learn information regarding the wide range of support services available to them. This is all to help ensure that each student-athlete has a smooth transition into life at Villanova.
Also on the first day of classes, the entire Villanova Athletics community gathered for a Welcome Mass to celebrate the beginning of the new school year. Father Rob Hagan, O.S.A., Associate Athletic Director, said mass. After mass, members of the Campus Ministry Team invited all the student-athletes to actively participate in service activities on campus this year and held a Water Ice Social.
During the second week of classes, Villanova Athletics hosted the first Freshmen Life Skills Seminar. The mandatory program, which meets once-a-month, for the 160 freshmen student-athletes gives them a chance to learn about resources and guidance on where to go during the year if they need any support. Villanova staff members from the offices of: Student Services, Academic Support for Athletics, Disability Services, Learning Support Services, Falvey Memorial Library, and the Office of the University Provost all spoke to the student-athletes about the services they provide and what resources are available to help ease the transition into life as a Division I student-athlete from an academic perspective.
On August 25th, the first SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) meeting took place. The meeting started with a quick presentation by newly announced Director of Athletics, Mark Jackson. During the meeting, SAAC members were first divided into groups and shared stories about their summer. The three members of the SAAC Leadership Team for 2015-16 were introduced: Baseball senior, Max Beermann, Men's Swimming and Diving senior Murphy Smith, and Women's Lacrosse Senior, Chelsey Henderson.
The 10th annual St. Thomas of Villanova Celebration Weekend took place September 10-13. This year over 452 Villanova student athletes, coaches, and athletic staff members from 22 teams participated in the Annual Day of Service. This was an all-time high for the number of teams who were able to participate in the Day of Service tradition at Villanova University. Click here for the complete story.
Villanova University hosted Parents Weekend, September 18-20. At the football game Saturday vs. Delaware, the University welcomed almost 12,000 parents, students and fans for the first home game of the season.
In late September, Villanova Athletics hosted its first Leadership Institute seminar of the semester. The focus of the night was to discuss the summer reading assignment, The Hard Hat by Jon Gordon. The theme of the book is how to be a great teammate as told by the example of Mario St. George Boiardi. Boiardi was a Cornell University Men's Lacrosse player that tragically passed away after being struck in the chest by a ball. Villanova student- athletes talked about how they could be better teammates and about former student-athletes who they aspire to be like.
SAAC held their second meeting of the semester in late September, where members competed in a "Minute to Win It" challenge. Softball senior, Sierra McConnell won the challenge. SAAC also discussed many upcoming dates and events relevant to the student-athlete community.
On Monday, September 28th, Villanova Athletics welcomed Elaine Pasqua to campus, to speak at the second Freshmen Life Skills Seminar titled "Surviving the College Party." Elaine's presentation spanned many topics ranging from alcohol awareness, negative effects of high-risk drinking, healthy relationships, integrity, respect etc., as well as information about sexual assault and violence.
The final event for the month of September was a "How to Write a Winning Resume" seminar. Dave Leibig, Associate Director of the Villanova Career Center, spoke to a small group of student-athletes about the ins and outs of creating a clean and professional resume.
