Oct. 27, 2006
The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears each Friday from September through February and monthly from April through August. This week we look back at Hoops Mania 2006, the Villanova basketball kick-off party at the Pavilion.
The stirring conclusion to the annual Hoops Mania event of 2006, which featured performances by G Unit members Tony Yayo and 50 Cent, owed its roots to a chance encounter last summer in Paterson, N.J.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright and his family was headed north to Long Island, to spend time with some friends from his seven-year stint as the coach at Hofstra University. When Wright learned that former Villanova standout Tim Thomas would be hosting a charity softball game in Paterson, N.J. one day earlier, he decided to include both events as part of the weekend.
So it was that Wright laced up his sneakers and took part in the game.
Thomas, who now plays for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers, has, in recent years, developed numerous contacts in the music and entertainment business with an eye towards establishing himself in the profession when his playing days have come to an end. On hand that day were any number of high-profile rap artists, including members of G Unit.
Wright shook more than a few hands that afternoon while his two sons, Taylor and Colin, looked on with mouths agape at the magnitude of some of the celebrities present.
"I thought it was cool," Wright recalls, "but my kids thought it was beyond cool."
When the day ended, the Wright clan returned to their car, pointed it towards the New Jersey Turnpike and made their way towards Long Island. They enjoyed the rest of their weekend getaway and filed away the memories of a fun day watching celebrities play softball.
The events of that afternoon, however, would ultimately prove instrumental in the unlikely appearance of 50 Cent at Hoops Mania.
In a September meeting in his Pavilion office, Wright and Villanova staff members, including director of marketing and promotions Brian Papson, manager of basketball operations Jason Donnelly, video coordinator Andrew Francis, and administrative assistant Christina Vuocolo, began contemplating what Hoops Mania 2006 would look like. Ideas were bounced back and forth and by the end of the 75-minute session a solid outline for the evening had been established. The bulk of those conversations would later become the foundation of the events that unfolded on Oct. 20.
The concept of a special guest began to take form in the days following that meeting. It was at that point when Wright flashed back to the softball game. He dialed the number of Thomas, who quickly agreed to help. Soon there were a series of phone calls and emails going back and forth between representatives of G Unit and Villanova.
"Something like this takes teamwork from a lot of people - it just doesn't happen," Wright states.
There were dozens of details to arrange. Papson spent considerable time working with the university's legal counsel to insure that the proper paperwork was in order. Donnelly and the basketball staff assisted with logistics. All of this was done while the rest of the Hoops Mania program - which included the creation of four highlight videos and promotional appearances by Wright and team members - was under construction.
"We received an incredible amount of support from our university," says Wright. "It starts at the top, with our new president Fr. (Peter) Donohue, to (director of athletics) Vince Nicastro to (senior associate athletic director) Bob Steitz. Each of them was willing to give this idea a chance and they and their staffs worked together to make it possible. It really was a great effort by everyone involved at Villanova."
One day prior to the event, the final pieces were in place. It was determined that Tony Yayo would appear as the special guest once the Blue/White scrimmage was complete. The possibility of a 50 Cent appearance was mentioned in passing by representatives of G Unit but the chances were said to be remote. And, if he were to appear, word was that it would be only as a guest coach, not a performer.
"All of our guys were excited to hear about Tony Yayo," says Wright, "but we there were only a few of us who knew that there was a chance 50 Cent would make it."
Following men's basketball practice on Thursday afternoon, the team spent an hour in a Hoops Mania dress rehearsal. Quipped Wright later that evening at a Villanova Alumni Association function in the Conference Center: "we spent more time today practicing for Hoops Mania than we did practicing basketball."
On Friday, the Pavilion resembled a Broadway stage more than it did an athletic facility. Throughout the day, workers installed the giant video board at the East end of the Pavilion and a high-quality sound system in an effort to enhance both the pre-game and post-game (read musical) acoustics.
At 5:00 p.m., a second dress rehearsal took place. This time, all of the lights were dimmed and the spotlight in place. Each of the Wildcats simulated his own moves when he reached the bottom of the student section bleachers after he was introduced by KYW's Ian Bush. After seniors Will Sheridan and Curtis Sumpter gave Wright a couple of pointers on how to properly introduce Yayo to the crowd, the team returned to its locker room and afterward move to Nevin Field House for an autograph session.
By 7:45 p.m., Yayo and the G Unit folks were relaxing in the basketball cinema adjacent to the locker room. At that point Wright was informed that 50 Cent would be appearing. He alerted Donnelly and two other Villanova staff members. Several media members were tipped off and one TV photographer later admitted that he thought the individual who had informed him was joking.
The rest figures to live in Villanova lore.
The fans were greeted by a video shot at the studios of Fox TV, with former Villanova football star Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw asking if the Nova Nation was ready for some Villanova basketball. Each team member entered the packed arena through the student section, one by one. Wright introduced Donohue to the audience and soon the Blue/White scrimmage was underway.
Yayo performed and brought out 50 Cent to do "So Seductive." Perhaps no group was more animated in its approval than the Wildcats themselves. The usually restrained crew let loose on the court, dancing as 50 Cent performed. Meanwhile, fans strained to get a close-up look at the star. After an invigorating performance, the two performers made a quick exit into a limousine parked behind the Pavilion.
"It was a great night and it would not have been possible without the efforts of Tim Thomas, 50 Cent and Tony Yayo," Wright says. "Those guys gave Villanova a memory that a lot of people will hold on to for a long time."
