July 28, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova will help usher in the month of August with a taste of hoops at the fourth annual "Summer Jam" basketball carnival this Monday afternoon (Aug. 1). Current and former Wildcats will be at the Pavilion to sign autographs and mingle with fans on Monday as part of the festivities.

The "Summer Jam" begins in the Pavilion parking lot at 4:00 p.m. on Monday. Fans can have their photographs taken with members of the 2005-06 men's and women's basketball teams and chat with the student-athletes. Former Wildcats of every vintage are also expected be on hand. There will be inflatable games, a dunk tank and the first 750 kids to arrive will receive a free Villanova Stress/Squish Ball along with barbecue food and drinks.

A new feature this year is a Kids' Press Conference in which youngsters will have the opportunity to interview a pair of Villanova men's and women's basketball players. Comcast SportsNet will be on hand as well, with anchor Matt Yallof appearing.

Immediately following the carnival, fans will move inside the Pavilion where a pair of Alumni games will be staged. The first, featuring the Villanova Legends, gets underway at 7:15 p.m. At 8:00 p.m. Villanova's younger alumni get into the act with the Villanova Pros game. It is expected that the respective teams in this contest will be coached by Hall of Famer Paul Arizin and Rollie Massimino, coach of the 1985 NCAA championship club.

There is a $5 admission charge for the "Summer Jam." There is no charge to view the Alumni Games. Free parking is available in the Main Lot on Lancaster Avenue. Villanova fans planning to attend are asked to RSVP to the Wildcat Ticket Office at (610) 519-4100.