1. 1985 Championship Wall
Make sure to take some time and visit the 1985 Championship Wall when attending a Villanova game at The Pavilion. The wall is a tribute to the Wildcats 1985 national championship winning team who upset the high-powered Georgetown Hoyas 66-64 in the finals.
2. Streamers
Villanova fans celebrate the first basket by throwing blue and white streamers onto the court. In the 1980s, the NCAA started calling technical fouls for fans throwing streamers onto the court, so now Wildcats fans throw streamers after the first basket of the scrimmage during Hoops Mania. Attend Hoops Mania so that you can take part in this fun Wildcats tradition.
3. Nova Nation
The Villanova student section known as Nova Nation are one of the wildest student sections in the country. Nova Nation takes up approximately a third of the seats when the Wildcats play at The Pavilion, and they’re just as loud in the Wells Fargo Center.
4. Philadelphia Big 5
Philadelphia’s Big 5 consists of the Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, Penn, and La Salle and is one of the best multi-team rivalries in college sports. The Big 5 dates back to 1955 and originally was created to showcase Philadelphia’s basketball talent and raise money for the Palestra. The proximity of the schools means there is a lot of bragging rights on the line whenever these teams meet, so don’t miss the matchups between these schools.
5. Trophies
Around the concourse of The Pavilion, you’ll find several trophies and plaques belonging to the best teams in Villanova athletics history. The trophies do an excellent job of showcasing the school’s rich athletics history and are a must-see for college sports fans.
6. Will D. Cat
Will D. Cat is the official mascot of the Villanova Wildcats and can be seen at every ‘Nova basketball game. He gets into all kinds of antics and is loved by fans, so keep your eyes peeled for Will D. Cat at the game.
7. Pep Band
The Villanova pep band does an excellent job of creating an intense in-game atmosphere. The band kicks things off a minute before the game by playing a tune that pumps up the crowd. After that, they keep the tempo high by instructing fans when to perform specific chants. The pep band is a big part of any Villanova basketball game, so enjoy their performance.
8. Cheerleaders
Like the pep band, the Villanova cheerleaders are also an integral part of the in-game experience. The cheerleaders lead the crowd in a variety of cheers, so make sure to join in the cheers and aid the Wildcats in their quest for victory.
9. Banners
Hanging up around The Pavilion are lots of banners celebrating the best players, coaches, and teams in Wildcats history. The banners honor the school’s two national championships as well as retired numbers of players such as Kerry Kittles and Ed Pinckney, so take it all in.
10. Holy War: Villanova-St. Joseph’s
The Holy War between Villanova and St. Joseph’s is the fiercest of all of the Philadelphia Big 5 rivalries. The rivalry between ‘Nova and St. Joe’s predates the Big 5 having started during the 1920-21 season, and you’ll never want to miss it when these two meet. Villanova leads the all-time series 48-25, but the matchups will almost always be close when the Wildcats and Hawks battle it out.
