Scroll through this amazing montage of photos. Everything from history to the bizzare.

http://buzzlamp.com/glimpse-amazing-past-historic-photos/1/

Which player will lead Villanova in scoring this season?

I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Mark Jackson last night at a Villanova function in Santa Monica. I came away impressed with Mark. He is quite personable and seems very competent. Before he was with USC, he spent some time with the Raiders and Syracuse. Although he obviously has a lot of football background, he did not give me the impression that he a "football" guy. He seemed very well versed in other areas and from what I could tell, understands the business side of athletics. I got the impression that he sees challenges and changes coming in the world of college sports and all but the very top echelon of sports schools ( the USCs, Ohio States, Bamas etc) will be effected. There is a lot to think about from "cost of attendance" to Title IX to TV contracts and agents.

All in all, I enjoyed meeting him and came away with the feeling that Villanova has a real winner in Mark Jackson!

Local HS player Keandre Cook was shot in the chest leaving The "East vs West" game at The Dome last night.

Anyone been there? Thinking of getting out of town when the Pope is here.

in combined football/basketball programs:

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...best-football-basketball-programs-for-2015-16

Temple easily handled Penn State 27 -10.

Was watching last night's lame UFC card. The camera shows a bunch of tall black dudes in the crowd - Darrun Hilliard front and center. Announcer dude says "Detroit Pistons in attendance tonight".

The fights were in Vegas, so first thought was LV summer league, but quickly realized that was long over. Did a quick search this am and learned they had some MMA training class at the UFC headquarters for some team building type thing.

Just thought it was promising he was included in something like that. Quick shot of DH trying to throw punches in vid below.

http://mmajunkie.com/2015/09/forres...-pistons-i-could-make-them-ufc-pros-in-a-week

I see Fordham won tonight. Nice win for them although sadly Army is 1A in name only. I heard at the Barbecue in August that Army won't schedule VU. I can see why. Fordham will be licking their chops next week for the best team on their schedule. Last time we were at Fordham, 'Cats weren't ready and were beaten by a fired up and good Fordham team by 3. 5 TOs for the Cats that game. I think VU is in a bad mood after Friday's game and I think they will be ready. Looks like Fordham can be scored upon. The D will have to come to play. Last game against the Rams for foreseeable future. Looks like UCONN will have an easy time next week against Army.

I know this is a long read but hopefully worth your time. I am saddened by the death of Johnny and writing this was one small way to pay my respects. I agree with many others about the desire to see Johnny's jersey hanging in the rafters and will be sending a note to Coach Wright, Vince and Mark Jackson expressing support for this idea.


Johnny Jones and Villanova: A Story of Reconciliation

In March 2012, I had the pleasure of traveling to Florida with the purpose of interviewing three Villanova alums – Johnny Jones ‘69, Jim McIntosh ‘69 and Ted Freeman ’72 – as part of the Black Villanova Oral History Project. I began this project as part of my research for a dissertation on the history of the African American student experience at institutions of Catholic higher education during the civil rights movement.

Ted Freeman, a former student-athlete on the football team at Villanova, responded to my letter inviting African American alumni to share their stories as part of this research project. Ted told me that he had a mostly positive experience during his undergraduate days at Villanova, yet, he shared with me, however, that many of his African American peers did not have positive experiences at Villanova during this time period (the 1960s and early 1970s). He knew that this oral history project was an important one as many African American alumni were bitter about their experiences and wanted to share their stories. Ted saw in this project the potential for redemption and reconciliation.

In February 2012, Ted told me that he had recently had a conversation with Johnny Jones about his desire to reconnect with his alma mater. This was a stunning turn of events for Johnny as he had not been back to campus in over forty years. He did not return to campus even as they inducted him into the Villanova Hall of Fame in 1985. In fact, I was told that, at one point in time, he asked the Men’s Basketball office to take him off of their mailing list. Coach Jay Wright prides himself on reaching out to Villanova basketball alums to develop the sense of community within the Villanova basketball family but Johnny initially seemed to want no parts of this. Coach Wright was persistent and invited Johnny to watch Villanova play and address the team when they visited Northwood near Johnny’s home in Fort Lauderdale.

Ted also told me that Jim McIntosh was living in Sarasota and so I could interview all three gentlemen in one trip to Florida. I told Ted that if he could arrange an interview for me with Johnny that I would be on the next flight down there. The interview was arranged. I told Villanova President Father Peter Donohue about the trip I was undertaking and, as this was not part of my official University business but part of my dissertation research, Father Peter agreed to find funding for me to complete this research.

The night before the interview Johnny sent an email out to approximately 20 African American alumni that I now had on an email list. He told the group that they owed it to themselves and to the African American community of Villanova to tell their stories and to participate in this project. He told the group that he wasn’t sure what he was going to talk about but that he promised to tell the truth about his experiences. This email made me both excited and terrified at the same time, I had no idea what to expect.

I showed up at Johnny’s home and he greeted me with a big smile and a huge handshake. I knew that he was listed at 6’4” when he played but he seemed larger than life. He had every right to be skeptical of my motives and to be suspicious of how I would interpret his story. Yet, he trusted me unconditionally. We spent the next three – four hours talking about his tough life growing up in the segregated South, his recruitment by George Raveling, and his experiences at Villanova. We shared some laughs and some tears but most of all we shared precious time together. Johnny poured his heart and soul into this exchange and I was filled with an overwhelmingly sense of respect and admiration for someone who endured so much pain in his life.

The contours of his life and the trials and tribulations that he faced can all be viewed in the Oral History project and read in my dissertation. They can be found online by searching for the Black Villanova Oral History Project. The most poignant story that Johnny told was how he failed a biology class during his final semester at Villanova as a result of missing a dissection of a frog because he had to travel to an away basketball game. Since he was a scholarship athlete, he fulfilled his obligations and went on the trip assuming that he would be able to make up the lab. He was told several days before Commencement that he would fail the class and would not be able to walk. Johnny’s mother was en route from Pompano Beach, Florida, but would not get the chance to see him graduate. They spent Villanova’s graduation day in Philadelphia visiting relatives. There were other stories – told both on and off the record – that reinforced in him a sense of betrayal after his usefulness as a basketball player was over. Like all of us, Johnny was not a perfect person but some of the stories he told (which were corroborated by others) led me to conclude that he faced some difficult and unnecessary situations as an African American student-athlete on Villanova’s campus. Simply put, he felt as though he was treated as a commodity and not as a student-athlete.

Despite all of the obvious pain that still haunted him over forty years later, there was some hope for reconciliation. Johnny talked lovingly about the influence of the Augustinians on him and how they inspired him to ultimately pursue a life of ministry. Forty years later, he still vividly recalled some words of wisdom they imparted on him. When I finally left his home, he looked me in the eye and said “Thank You!” He also told me that he would like to come back to Villanova some day. I sincerely and without hesitation told him, “If you promise to come back, I will put together a reunion for you.” I had no idea if I could deliver on this promise but it just came out because I wanted nothing more than to see him step foot back on a campus that he had not returned to since he left in 1969.

When I returned to Villanova, I was to meet with Father Peter to give him a report on my trip. Before my meeting, I called over to the Registrar’s office to ask the burning question that was on my mind. I found out that the official record listed Johnny as having graduated in 1969 but there was an indication that he had never received his diploma. As I had lunch with Father Peter, I told him of my interview with Johnny and then I told him of my idea to have a reunion for those who participated in the project. We both looked at each other and knew what needed to be done for Johnny.

Several weeks later, at Homecoming 2012, Villanova sponsored an event called “Back and Black” that served both as a kickoff to the Oral History project’s website and as a reunion honoring those men and women who told their stories as part of the project. The Reverend Johnny Jones, who drove up from Florida with Ted Freeman, provided the invocation where he spoke eloquently about the need for reconciliation. After Johnny finished his invocation, Father Peter welcomed the packed crowd to this important event. In a pivotal moment in the history of race relations at Villanova, Father Peter said “for the times that we have failed [for not making black students feel welcome], I extend my apologies.” Near the conclusion of Father Peter’s remarks, he brought Johnny Jones up to the stage and presented him with the diploma that Villanova failed to present to him when he earned it in 1969. Johnny received a standing ovation – many with tears in their eyes – as he accepted that diploma on behalf of himself and others like him who struggled during this time period. One of the lessons of Johnny’s life is that Villanova may not have always been a perfect place but there is something truly special about the place that draws people back and makes them proud to be part of the Villanova family.

I am so grateful that I had the chance to meet and to befriend Johnny Jones. He was an amazingly humble, gentle man who had a tremendous sense of humor and passion for life. When Johnny and Ted were driving up from Florida for the reunion, I had to call him because I had just received a phone call from Coach Wright. Coach asked me if Johnny was going to be able to come to Hoops Mania and, if so, would he be amenable to being a judge in the Dunk Contest. I got in contact with Johnny and Ted as they were passing through North Carolina and they sounded like two college kids on a road trip –laughing and making fun of one another. Johnny was reluctant to be a judge as he joked that dunking was outlawed when he played so he didn’t know the first thing about it. Eventually, he agreed and he received a wonderful ovation from the Nova Nation fans.

The night that Johnny received his long-awaited diploma was one of the proudest moments of my life. I am so grateful that I was, at least I part, able to help facilitate Johnny’s reconciliation with his alma mater before his untimely passing. I cannot imagine the emotions going through him as he returned to campus but I will never forget the moment we walked into Jake Nevin Field House together. Tears filled Johnny’s eyes as he set his gaze upon a place that brought back so many memories – both positive and negative – for him.

My friendship with Johnny and the example of Johnny’s life has taught me invaluable lessons about humility, patience, reconciliation and forgiveness. I hope you can take the time to reflect on this story to draw similar inspiration. I also ask you to take time to pray for Johnny, his family and his friends.

Submitted by:
Tom Mogan (former Director of Student Development, Villanova University)

Final 50-21 Maryland defense played very well.

The Panthers, Nova's FCS opener next season battled to beat YSU 45 - 37 to give new coach Pat Narduzzi his first win. His dad was a successful coach at YSU. Back yard type game. YSU won in 2012.

BC RB scores two TDs in 4th quarter to help them pull away from Maine 24-7. The BC defense did a great job.

For the second reason in a row Cuse opens against a CAA team. I wonder if URI will take Cuse to double OT, out play them for the most part, and give them a win by making a couple basic mistakes

Lose by 28-20 to East Carolina from AAC conference. EC RB Hairston ran for 154 yds and all 4 EC TDs. I guess Towson wishes he missed the team bus.
Next for Towson is a home game with ST. Francis(PA) who beat up Georgetown yesterday 48 - 20.

UConn coach Bob Diaco on Villanova Football: "Worry is not something that we're feeling."

Thursday, September 3rd
Elon (0-0) at Wake Forest (0-0)
The Phoenix were picked to finish last in the CAA this year after going 0-8 in the conference last year and just 1-11 in 2014. The Phoenix must improve on both sides of the ball having just averaged 14 ppg and giving up almost 31 ppg on defense last year. Elon lost their 1-A game last year at Duke, 52-13.
The Demon Deacs finished last year at 3-9 and are picked to finish in last in the Atlantic Division of the ACC this year.
Wake Forest to win, 38- 17.

Stony Brook (0-0) at Toledo (0-0)
The Seawolves finished last season at 5-7 and boasted the best defense in the CAA giving up only 15ppg on defense. However, it's their offense that needs a major boost this year having averaged only 18ppg in 2014. The Seawolves were a preseason pick for 8th place in the 12 team CAA conference.
The Rockets of Toledo from the 1-A MAC are picked to win the West Division of the MAC in 2015 after going 9-4 last year winning their Bowl game over Arkansas St., 63-44. The Rockets won their 1-AA game last year defeating our own New Hampshire, 54-20.
Toledo to dominate the CAA again this year with a 45-14 win.

#9 New Hampshire (0-0) at San Jose St. (0-0)
The Wildcats of UNH lost their first game last year to 1-A Toledo and then won 12 games in-a-row before losing to Illinois St., 21-18 in the semi-finals of the FCS playoffs. They went undefeated (8-0) in the CAA and enjoy top 10 status in the FCS as this season begins. UNH was picked to finish in 3rd of the 12 team CAA conference for 2015. UNH took a big hit to graduation losing 13 starters from last year's team. However, they have the best coach in the conference, almost never lose at home and have been to the playoffs, I believe, 12 consecutive years. Pencil them in again this year as well.
The Spartans of San Jose St. come from the 1-A Mountain West Conference. They went 3-9 in 2014 and won their 1-AA game over the 5-7 Big Sky North Dakota, 42-10. The Spartans are picked to finish in 4th of the 6 team West Division of the conference ahead of Hawaii and UNLV.
This is a game that New Hampshire could steal but I'm going with a 1-A win here, 35-31, San Jose St.

Friday, September 4
Jacksonville (0-0) at Delaware (0-0)
The Dolphins come from the Pioneer Conference which normally doesn't give out football scholarships. However, the Dolphins have distributed most of their financial aid to nothing but football players and thus, were ineligible last year as well as this year for the Pioneer Championship and the automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. The Dolphins finished 9-2 last year losing to 4-7 Marist Red Foxes and 9-4 playoff contender SE Louisiana, 44-3.
The Delaware Blue Hens have gone 7-5 (2013) and 6-6 (2014) in the two years under head coach Dave Brock. This year they will enter the season with a quarterback who has not taken a snap in their offense. Brock intends to give a Rutgers Junior transfer and a redshirt freshman a chance to see who can separate himself as the starter. The Hens are a talented team but very young, relying mostly on Freshmen and Sophomores. Delaware was a preseason pick of 6th place in the 12 team CAA.
Let's give the Hens a 24-21 win in Newark on Friday.

Rhode Island (0-0) at Syracuse (0-0)
The curse of fired coach (and now Villanova assistant Joe Trainer) was in place all of last season until the last game. The Rams were 0-11 and then upset Towson, 13-7, to finish 1-11 in 2014. The Rams had the worst offense in the CAA (only 12ppg) and the worst defense as well in the Conference (34ppg) and so, are picked to finish 11th in the 12 team conference.
Syracuse escaped with a 27-26 double overtime win in the Carrier Dome over Villanova last year after the Cats missed a FG from the 12 yard line with just seconds to go. The 'Cuse would finish a disappointing 3-9 (injuries) and thus, are picked for next-to-last to Wake Forest in the Atlantic Division of the ACC in 2015.
Give the Orange a 45-7 win in the Dome this year.

Saturday, September 5th
Albany (0-0) at Buffalo (0-0)
The Great Danes were a surprise 7-5 (3-5 in the CAA) in 2014. Coach Greg Gattuso took over for Bob Ford, who had been at Albany since 1973. Though the Great Danes were picked for 10th in the CAA in 2015, look for Gattuso to move Albany up the food chain quickly.
The Bulls from Buffalo are a 1-A MAC team that went 5-6 last year and beat Duquesne in their 1-AA game 38-28. Buffalo is picked to finish 5th in the 7 team MAC East.
How about a 35-28 win up in Buffalo.

Morehead St. (0-0) at #12 JMU (0-0)
The Pioneer Conference Eagles were 4-8 in 2014 and lost to CAA Richmond last year, 55-10. Morehead was picked to finish 8th of the 10 teams eligible in the conference for 2015.
The Dukes of JMU are picked to finish 2nd behind Villanova in the CAA this year. JMU was 9-4 last year losing to Liberty in the first round of the FCS playoffs, 26-21. JMU lost their 2014 1-A game to Maryland, 52-7. JMU will play their 1-A game at SMU on September 26.
Super quarterback Vad Lee will lead JMU to a 52-10 win down in Harrisonburg this weekend.

Maine (0-0) at Boston College (0-0)
It seems every other year Maine gets hot and surprises everyone. Two years ago they were picked 8th and won the CAA. Last year the Black Bears were 5-6 and were a preseason pick of 7th for 2015. Could this be another surprise year? Jack Cosgrove's Bears lost to BC last year, 40-10. The Black Bears must improve their anemic offense (only 16ppg last year) in order to be successful this year.
The Eagles were 7-5 last year and then lost their Bowl Game to Penn St. in the last seconds, 31-30 in OT. BC was picked ahead of Syracuse for 5th place in the Atlantic Division of the ACC for this year.
Look for the Eagles to beat the Black Bears, 38-10.

#18 Richmond (0-0) at Maryland (0-0)
The Spiders finished 9-5 last year going 1-1 in the FCS playoffs beating Morgan St., 46-24 in Round One but losing to Coastal Carolina in the next round, 36-16. The Spiders lost their 1-A game at Virginia in 2014, 45-13. Richmond was picked to finish 5th in the 12 team CAA Conference.
Maryland was 7-5 in 2014 and then lost their Bowl Game to Stanford, 45-21. They beat JMU in their 1-AA game in 2014, 52-7. In 2015 the Terps are a preseason pick for 5th place in the 7 team East Division of the Big Ten.
Let's give the Terps a 45- 17 win over the Spiders.

Towson (0-0) at East Carolina (0-0)
After going to the championship game of the FCS playoffs in 2013, the Tigers had a very disappointing 4-8 season in 2014 even losing to Rhode Island for their only win of the year. The Tigers lost their 1-A game to West Virginia last year, 54-0 (ouch!). This year Rob Ambrose and his Tigers are picked for 9th in the CAA.
The 1-A AAC (Temple's conference) Pirates of East Carolina finished 8-5 in 2014 losing their Bowl Game to Florida, 28-20. In 2014 the Pirates won their 1-AA game over NC Central, 52-7.
Give the Pirates a 38-14 win over Towson.

# 27 William & Mary (0-0) at Lafayette (0-0)
The Tribe went 7-5 last year and missed the FCS playoffs with their last game of the season loss to Richmond, 34-20. They lost their 1-A game to Virginia Tech in 2014, 34-9. The Tribe are picked for 4th in the CAA this year.
Lafayette lost to the Tribe last year in Williamsburg, 33-19. The Leopards were 5-6 in 2014 and play in the Patriot League.
Give the Tribe a 28-17 win to open their season.

Thursday, September 3rd
#4 Villanova (0-0) at UConn (0-0)
The Huskies went 2-10 in 2014 in coach Bob Diaco's first year. The two wins were over CAA 5-7 Stony Brook, 19-16 and 9-4 Central Florida, 37-29. The Huskies are a preseason pick for last in the East Division of the AAC (Temple's conference). The Huskies quarterback is a NC State transfer who is a dual-threat QB who has excellent running ability and can throw the deep pass. Two sophomores give UConn a decent run attack and Junior Noel Thomas is an explosive downfield threat at wide receiver. The offensive line struggled last year but seems much improved this season. UConn returns 7 starters on defense with two very nice linebackers and some talent in the secondary.
I'm going to agree with coach Talley that I think the Cats are somewhat overrated right now. There are just too many question marks on the offensive side. The O line had to be rebuilt, the running backs are not as strong as last year nor is our receiving game with the lost of Poppy Livers. Then there is John Robertson. Sure, he is Superman and we only win if he has another John Robertson game that we've come to expect but is he ready for the season after spending the summer on Wall Street? Will the coaching staff keep the chains off him or shackle him knowing that any injury to him could cost us the season? I love our D line and linebackers but the secondary still has question marks as well.
I have done a flip flop on this game everyday for the past week or so. On the one hand, our talent can match UConn in most positions and we know how to win, UConn doesn't. Of course, we must execute to get the job done. On the other hand, we are on the road, going against a team that can throw 22 more scholarship players at us. And then there is the mental aspect to the game. It would be devastating for UConn to lose this game. They simply can't afford to lose this game. For the Cats, a win over a 1-A can almost punch your playoff ticket baring any injury to John Robertson this year.
In the end I'm going with a 21-20 game. Today it's UConn. Tomorrow it will be Villanova and on Thursday it will be...

GO CATS! BEAT THE HUSKIES!

Not sure I agree with that call. Andy Talley has forgotten more about football than I know but still, don't get the rationale for that one.

Any chance this is a member of this newsgroup breaking into national headlines? Sure seems eerily similar to @GretcheninHell...

https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/1000/1732650.pdf

I'm surprised that no one has asked how Huerter's visit went, so I'm asking, how did he enjoy Nova ?

The Lot8b guys will host a canned beer, peanut and other stuff tailgate prior to the Alumni Tent Reception from 3:30 (when the lots open) and 5:30 (when the reception begins).......all are welcome to stop by and hang out before the reception......we will try to park close to the Alumni Tent which will be in the "Red" lots South of the stadium.......look for a flagpole that will fly 2 VU flags.....one will be a standard "V" flag while the other will spell out Villanova.....hope to see you anytime during gameday and Beat uconn

Again?!