April 19, 2001

VILLANOVA, PA - From the time he arrived at Villanova University in August 1997, second baseman Matt Longo made it perfectly clear to coaches, teammates and opponents alike, that he was not going to be just an ordinary baseball player. Currently in the midst of his senior season on the Main Line in 2001, Longo has already broken three school records and is on pace to break several more before his career at Villanova is complete.

Earlier this season, Longo set new Villanova career record for doubles, breaking the old mark of 53 held by Mike Neill (1989-91). Against Rutgers on April 12, he surpassed the school record of 182 career games played held by Bob McCreary.

Longo broke his most impressive record to date on April 17 versus St. Joseph's in the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic at Veterans Stadium. He set a new Wildcat mark for total bases in a career, surpassing the old record of 379 held by Mike Neill (1989-91).

As a freshman in 1998, Longo earned Collegiate Baseball first team Freshman All-America distinction, as well as being named to the All-Big East second team and the Big East All-Rookie Team. He batted .393 as a freshman, posting 70 hits, 51 runs scored, 18 doubled, two triples, 12 home runs and 47 RBI.

One season later, Longo was named to the All-Big East first team as a sophomore. He finished the 1999 season batting .363 with 69 hits, 64 runs scored, 16 doubles, nine home runs and 57 RBI.

Last season, Longo batted .304 despite being pitched around by opponents all season long, shown by his being second in the conference with 43 bases on balls. He also recorded 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 26 RBI.

With only a handful of games left in his final season, Longo is having another solid campaign. He is currently hitting .288 with 30 runs scored, nine doubles, five home runs and 20 RBI. Longo is also having his finest season in the field to date, making just three errors and a number of spectacular plays.

Longo and the Wildcats travel to Notre Dame this weekend to take on the No. 2 ranked Fighting Irish in a three game series.