Dec. 21, 2007

The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears weekly beginning in September through February with monthly updates in the off-season with features on the men's basketball program. This week we follow the Wildcats into Philadelphia as they spend time at a local elementary school.

On the morning following the completion of their first semester final exams, the Villanova Wildcats are headed back to the classroom. But in this case there are no tests to complete. Instead, the `Cats are en route to North Philadelphia for a chance to speak to an auditorium full of young students at Francis Postorius elementary school.

The entire roster files off a team bus that has brought it here on an overcast morning. Once inside, they are seated in the first row of the school auditorium and soon the assembled students have filled in all but a few seats.

After greeting the principal and members of the faculty, head coach Jay Wright is introduced and takes the microphone.

"Our guys have just finished their final exams," Wright explains to the students, "so they've been a little stressed out. But we wanted to let you know that every one of them was sitting right where you are - in a school, wondering what their future might hold. What we want you to see is that you can be in the same position they are some day - as college students with bright futures.

"Our guys have been in those seats. They have had the same fears you do, the same dreams, the same worries. They have gone on to be successful young men and our message to you is that you have the same opportunity."

Wright then goes on to talk about one of the central themes of Villanova basketball, a concept reiterated each time the team breaks its huddle.

"When we came in today, a couple of the students looked at our guys and mentioned how tall they are," he says. "And they are. But one thought you can keep in mind as you meet these guys is that the most important characteristic any person can take with them each morning is to have a great attitude about life. It's not how tall you are or how smart you are or how good looking you might be. You don't have a lot of control over those things but you can control your attitude." It is for that reason that the Wildcats say "attitude" together in unison each time they break a huddle on the court.

"You have the option of choosing to have a great attitude," Wright explains. "If you treat people well, are respectful of your teachers, and have that kind of positive approach, you can become a successful person."

Wright introduces his coaching staff and each of the student-athletes to the student audience. Three Villanova captains - Dwayne Anderson, Shane Clark and Scottie Reynolds - share bits of their academic experiences with the youngsters.

Anderson, a 6-6 junior guard/forward, speaks first.

"When I was younger I just wanted to play basketball all day long," stated Anderson, a native of Silver Spring, Md. "My parents kept telling me that if I didn't do well in school, I wouldn't have the chance to play basketball in high school or college. You have to study."

When Anderson chose Villanova following a decorated prep career in Washington, D.C. and at St. Thomas More in Connecticut, his mother Michelle Anderson offered a simple message to Wright.

"She said to me, `I don't care if he plays a minute of basketball. I want him to get that degree,'" Wright told the crowd to a round of applause.

"I will have my degree in sociology when I am finished here," Anderson added. "I can't wait to get that degree so that my mother can see me walk across that stage with the diploma. I know how proud that would make her."

Anderson then takes some questions from the students. One comes from a young man who wondered if Anderson's parents were "on you to study 24/7."

"They were on me every day," he replies with a nod.

Following Anderson to the microphone is junior forward Shane Clark, a product of North Philadelphia himself. Like his fellow captain, Clark told the students that he was slow to understand the significance of succeeding in the classroom.

"I was lazy," the 6-7 Clark told the auditorium. "I didn't want to do my school work. My mom and step-Dad were on me to make sure I spent an hour or two every day on homework and studying. I got better at it and it's taken me to Villanova. I would like to thank my Mom and step-Dad for that."

A questioner then wonders what Clark might do if for some reason an opportunity to play professional basketball doesn't come his way.

"I'm majoring in geography so there are a lot of things I could do," he says. "I could travel or I might like to be a teacher. I can be anything I want with a Villanova degree."

Before handing the microphone back to Wright, Clark leaves the audience with a final thought: "Value your education. Do your work. If you have a great attitude, you can accomplish anything in life."

The last Wildcat introduced to the crowd is sophomore guard Scottie Reynolds. Wright mentions the fact that the 6-2 product of Herndon, Va., earned the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year award in 2007. However, he tells the students this is only a small part of who Reynolds is. He talks about his humility and other qualities that impact him off the court as well as on it.

"I had a hard time learning to read," Reynolds says as he begins his talk. "I was in speech classes and I had to work hard to catch up to the other kids. For all of you kids that might be having trouble, in reading or math, you should know that the teachers are there to help you. They want to see you succeed.

"One thing Coach Wright tells us is that sometimes teachers don't have time to tell you how wonderful you are or what a great job you are doing. Time is precious. When teachers tell you what you aren't doing well, they are doing it because they love you and want to bring the best out of you. It's not to hassle you - it's to help you be the best you can be."

Reynolds joins the rest of his teammates on stage, where they then sign autographs for each member of the audience. While this is taking place, Wright continues speaking to those who await their turn to approach the athletes. He also points to a rack of basketballs with Villanova logos that will be donated to the school.

"Every time you use one of these basketballs and see the name Villanova we want you to think about college," he tells the crowd. "Think about working hard in class and maintaining that great attitude we talked about."

Soon, the hour to adjourn has arrived. The Wildcat players and coaches pose for some photos before returning to their bus for the ride back to campus. Before departing, Wright adds one final thought for the elementary school children.

"We want to thank you for having us join you here," he says. "You have been a great group - you've listened and been very respectful. That's exactly the kind of attitude that can help you become a success."

With that, the Villanova unit is back on its bus headed toward I-76 West and campus. The positive vibes of the morning aren't likely to evaporate any time soon for the Wildcats.

Just label it the final lesson of exam week at Villanova.