Oct. 20, 2004

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova students have returned to campus from fall break and will help greet the 2004-05 Wildcats at "Hoops Mania" on Friday night at the Jake Nevin Field House. The celebration begins at 8:00 p.m. with head coach Jay Wright and Philadelphia 76ers public address announcer Matt Cord serving as masters of ceremony.

"The `Hoops Mania' celebration officially starts off our year," says Wright. "It vividly demonstrates the great connection here at Villanova between the student population and our basketball team. It's something our players very much look forward to and I know they are eager to participate this season."

Doors open to the event at 6:45 p.m. At 7:15, Comcast SportsNet will conduct the Villanova stop on its "Casting Call." One Villanova student will be chosen to represent the school in a contest with student representatives of other Philadelphia Big Five institutions and the winner will appear on CSN's "Daily News Live."

At 8:00 p.m. the main event will get underway. Among the evening's highlights include a video montage celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1985 NCAA championship. The head coach of that squad, Rollie Massimino, and five key members of that unit will be introduced to the audience. They include Harold Jensen, Gary McLain, Dwayne McClain, Ed Pinckney and Harold Pressley.

The introduction of the 2004-05 Wildcats will follow shortly thereafter. Villanova returns all five starters and its top reserve from last season.

There will also be prizes awarded and contests that will include the crowd throughout the evening. One fan will have an opportunity to win $10,000 by sinking a shot from half-court.

Admission is free. Parking will be available in the Main Lot off Lancaster Avenue.

"Hoops Mania" is part of Villanova's campus-wide homecoming event this weekend. On Saturday morning, the men's basketball team hosts the annual Blue vs. White scrimmage at 11:00 a.m. in the Pavilion and at 3:00 p.m. Villanova football hosts Towson at Villanova Stadium.