Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Al Calligaris was a standout guard for Villanova who played on the varsity football teams from 1960-62. Playing for Hall of Fame coach Alex Bell, he was a part of teams that posted a combined 17-13 record over his final two seasons. Calligaris graduated from Villanova in 1963 and was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1991.
 
Entering his senior year in 1962, Calligaris was described as one of the most underrated players on the team. He was known for being quiet off the field but a leader by example on it. Calligaris was recognized for his speed and mobility as a guard in addition to his durability, which included playing the entire 1961 campaign while being limited by minor injuries.
 
Although he played during a time when individual defensive statistics were not widely or uniformly kept, Calligaris nevertheless made a name for himself as part of a stout Wildcats defense. The defense allowed fewer than 10 points per game in both the 1961 and 1962 seasons which each culminated with a bowl game appearance.
 
Villanova went 8-2 in 1961 and the defense tallied shutouts in wins over Miami (Ohio), VMI and Quantico Marines while holding three other opponents (West Chester, Buffalo and Xavier) to eight or fewer points. The Wildcats were selected to play in the Sun Bowl and they tallied a 17-9 win over Wichita State in El Paso, Texas.
 
The following year would be just as good for Villanova, which had shutouts against VMI and Detroit on the way to reaching the Liberty Bowl played at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia. Despite being the local team in the game, the Wildcats were up against a heavily-favored Oregon State squad led by that year’s Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker.
 
Villanova, and especially the defense, were game for the challenge and the Wildcats outgained the Beavers on the ground (246-176) and allowed just 11 first downs in a narrow 6-0 defeat. The game was broadcast on NBC to an estimated 27 million viewers.
 
Calligaris was a native of West New York, N.J. prior to coming to Villanova. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 80 in Watertown, N.Y.