Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Bill Hegarty was a standout tackle for Villanova who found quick success on the varsity squad after being the captain of the freshman team in 1950. He played for the Wildcats varsity team in 1951 and 1952 before going on to appear in three NFL games during the 1953 season. Hegarty graduated in 1954 and was inducted to the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1993.
 
Entering his junior season in 1952, Hegarty was considered among the best linemen in college football for his speed and downfield blocking abilities. He lined up on both offense and defense for Villanova in 1952 and helped the team go 7-1-1 on the year, including a trio of consecutive road wins over Kentucky, Clemson and Detroit to begin the year.
 
Hegarty contributed to strong play on both sides of the ball his junior year. Villanova averaged 24.3 points per game and scored over 20 points in seven of nine games played. The defense held opposing teams to 12.3 points per contest by comparison and allowed just 261.0 total yards per game. After their only loss of the season on the road to Tulsa, the Wildcats bounced back and finished the year with a 51-6 rout of Boston University.
 
In the 1952 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Hegarty with the 181^st overall pick in the 15^th round. He played in three games during the 1953 NFL season, including two with Washington and one with Pittsburgh.
 
Hegarty passed away in 2002 at the age of 71.