Jan. 21, 2004

VILLANOVA, PA. - The Student Services Office and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee joined together to produce the First Annual Student Athlete Talent Show on Thursday night, Jan. 15. The event was a success as 15 Villanova athletic teams participated in various performances. Athletic Director Vince Nicastro opened the evening with a short address and the presentation of the 2003 Big East championship trophy to the women's soccer team.

Men's tennis freshman David Harring kicked off the performances by naming all 50 states in alphabetical order in less than 20 seconds. Following Harring was a dance from the volleyball team to Michael Jackson's "Beat It."

After the synchronized Michael Jackson routine, Ben Carothers from the men's lacrosse team sang three songs that he wrote himself, while playing the guitar. Following his standout solo performance, the softball team did a skit mocking a typical "Villanova girl."

One of the funniest performances of the night came from members of the men's soccer squad, who did an imitation of the FOX's American Idol. Four contestants were performed and were then judged by players who represented the three judges from the television show. The shock of the evening came when freshman John Calabrese chose to dance, rather than sing - in his birthday suit.

Pat Dunn, a member of the men's track and field program became the second athlete to show off musical talent, singing three songs acoustically with his guitar. Assistant women's basketball coach Shanette Lee gave an additional solo performance, a tap routine accompanied by an African drum.

The music did not end there, however, as the golf team made a surprise appearance, dancing to the Macarena while dressed up as coaches Jake and Joe Moran.

Men and women's swimming combined to do a mock talent show, and they were succeeded by the women's tennis team's rendition of "Around the World," originally performed by the Spice Girls. The Villanova baseball team gave the audience some comic relief by telling jokes to the crowd.

Women's soccer involved all student-athletes in their talent - an imitation of a typical classroom, showing how athletes from different teams are stereotyped. Women's basketball then sang "Happy Birthday" in Hebrew to a member of the team, Kate Dessart Mager. In a surprise ending, they threw pies in the faces of two other teammates.

The women's lacrosse and women's water polo teams provided the final two events of the evening. Women's lacrosse did a version of "If I Weren't a Laxer...," with mimes, flight attendants, policewomen and bakers involved. The women's water polo players then did a water ballet routine.

Student Services and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee would like to thank everyone involved for making the evening such a success. Next year's event promises to be even better. Anyone wishing to order pictures from the talent show should go to the following website: http://www.shutterfly.com/pro/AIC/SAA.