The Villanova Wildcats is the name of the athletic teams of Villanova University. They compete in the Big East Conference (NCAA Division I) for every sport except for football, where they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA). Recently, the Villanova Wildcats were in the Final Four, having defeated fellow Big East team, top-ranked Pitt 78-76 in the Elite Eight on March 28, 2009. They had defeated the Duke Blue Devils 77-54 in the Sweet Sixteen two days earlier.

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Men's basketball

The Wildcats compete in the Big East Conference and are currently coached by Jay Wright. They have won one championship (1985), and have been to the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship four times (1939, 1971, 1985, and 2009).

Football

The Wildcats compete in the Colonial Athletic Association and are coached by Andy Talley. At one time the football program was a well-renowned Division I-A program. Villanova played in 5 bowl games while in 1-A. These were following the 1936, 1947, 1948, 1961, and 1962 college football seasons respectively. Villanova dropped their football program altogether following the 1980 season. In 1985, Villanova began playing football again at the Division 1-AA level. Since moving to 1-AA, Villanova has made 7 appearances in the Division 1 FCS playoffs, including an appearance last season, 2008. Villanova football has produced such NFL talents as Howie Long, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, and Brian Westbrook, of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Track and Field

Villanova University's Track and Field team has a long history of athletic success that has spanned from Big East Conference Championships to NCAA Championships. ^[1]

The Men's Team has produced 69 NCAA Championships, 36 Indoor and 33 Outdoor. The team has had 8 NCAA team Championships (4 Cross Country, 3 Indoor, 1 Outdoor). Villanova has produced 28 athletes who have made appearances in the Olympics, 10 of whom have medaled (7 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals). The men's team has also won 112 Penn Relay Championships, which stands as the most wins by any school. The men's current coaches include head coach, Marcus O'Sullivan, and assistant head coach, Anthony Williams.

The Women's team has also had a multitude of success, producing 10 Big East team Championships and 7 NCAA team Championships. They have also produced 7 Olympians including Vicki Huber, Sonia O'Sullivan, Kim Certain, Kate Fonshell, Jen Rhines, Carmen Douma, and Carrie Tollefson. Olympic hopefuls for the 2008 Summer Olympics include alumna Marina Muncan. The Women's team has won 28 Penn Relay Championships, which is the most wins by any women's team. The current women's coaches include head coach, Gina Procaccio, and assistant head coach, Anthony Williams.

At least one Villanova athlete has competed in every Summer Olympics since 1948, winning a a total of 13 medals (9 gold, 4 silver). ^[2]

References

1. RUNNOVA
2. ''Villanova'' magazine, Summer 2008, "Villanovans have won 13 Olympic Medals"