Oct. 23, 2000

VILLANOVA, PA.--- At halftime of Saturday's Atlantic 10 football contest versus the University of Richmond, Villanova will honor the Wall of Fame 2000 track & field class. Among those being honored are the Wildcat 1957 men's track and field team, and 1985 graduate and women's track star Veronica McIntosh. The 1957 team, along with McIntosh, will have a plaque anointed in their honor on the Wall of Fame located on The Pavilion wall inside Villanova Stadium.

Villanova's 1957 Wildcats have been called perhaps the greatest track team in collegiate history. Well-balanced in both track and field events, they won every major American collegiate and AAU competition, both indoor and outdoor.

The members of the 1957 team combined for seven NCAA individual outdoor championships, five Olympic berths and three Olympic gold medals. Winning individual Olympic gold medals were Ron Delany in the 1500m and Charlie Jenkins in the 400m at the 1956 games in Melbourne, Australia, and Donald Bragg in the pole vault at the 1960 games in Rome, Italy. Jenkins also ran on the 1600m relay team that won a gold medal in 1956. Two other members of the 1957 team that competed in the Olympics were Phil Reavis in the high jump, and Alex Breckenridge in the marathon.

Athletes from the 1957 team that will be returning for Saturday's ceremony include Alex Breckenridge, Ed Collymore, John Kopil, Alfred Peterson, Charles Stead, George Sydnor and current Villanova assistant Jim Tuppeny. Members of legendary head coach Jumbo Elliott's family will also be in attendance.

An eight-time All-American, McIntosh left Villanova with 15 school records. She will forever be remembered as Villanova's first-ever female National Champion, winning the 800m at the NCAA Indoors (2:06.82) in 1983, and as one of the greatest runners ever to step foot on the track as a member of the Wildcats.

In addition to her NCAA individual title, McIntosh also has a NCAA relay title in the 4x800m to her credit, along with 10 Big East Championships and two Big East Most Outstanding Performer Awards.