Sept. 22, 2004
Villanova University has had a storied and rich tradition at the Olympic Games. In its history, Villanova has produced 48 Olympians that have combined to garner nine gold medals and four silver medals. To celebrate the school's illustrious Olympic history, Villanova University will host the Villanova Olympian Gala on Saturday, October 23, 2004.
This formal event will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Philadelphia Hotel and will honor the Wildcat athletes and coaches who have participated in 16 different Olympic Games. Of the 48 Olympian honorees, 40 are expected to return for the Gala. Mike Breen, who has worked four Olympic Games for NBC, will serve as the emcee for the event.
J.E. O'Connell began the Villanova Olympic tradition when he competed in the broad jump at the 1908 London Games. Since the 1948 London Games, at least one Villanovan has competed in every Summer Olympiad, including four who participated this year in Athens. The 2004 Wildcat Olympians included Carmen Douma (1,500m/Canada), Sonia O'Sullivan (5,000m/Ireland), Jen Rhines (Marathon/United States) and Carrie Tollefson (1,500m/United States).
The nine gold medals won by Villanovans include eight individuals in three different sports. Charlie Jenkins is the school's only two-time gold medalist. Jenkins won gold in both the 400 meter run and as a member of the 1600 meter relay team at the 1956 Melbourne Games. Ron Delany also won gold at the 1956 Games, finishing first in the 1,500 meter run. Villanova's other track & field gold medals include Don Bragg in the pole vault at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Paul Drayton as a member of the 400 meter relay team at the 1964 Tokyo Games, Larry James in the 1,600 meter relay at Mexico City in 1968 and Chip Jenkins as part of the 1,600 meter relay squad in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Villanova's other two gold medals were claimed by rower William Knecht in Tokyo and Mike Neill who was a member of the gold medal winning baseball team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Villanova's four silver medalists all came in the sport of track & field. Drayton earned a silver medal in the 200 meter dash at the 1964 Games, while James was second in the 400 meter run in 1968. Also, in 1968, Erv Hall earned the silver in the 110 meter hurdles. Villanova's most recent medalist was Sonia O'Sullivan. She became the first Villanova female to win a medal when she claimed the silver in the 5,000 meter run at the 2000 Sydney Games.
For more information on the Villanova Olympian Gala, please contact Dean Kenefick in the Villanova Media Relations Office at 610-519-4120.
