"For the past few years, Villanova Athletics & the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) have hosted Student-Athlete Week in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day. It's an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the hard-work, dedication and success of our student-athletes," according to Alison Venella, Director of Student-Athlete Development.

The week will focus on Villanova's student-athlete accomplishments, both on and off the playing field, as well as the spirit of competition. Student-Athlete Week gives the Athletics Department an opportunity to thank the student-athletes for their time and commitment to the University. Student-Athlete Week has quickly become a fun tradition, one the student-athletes look forward to each year.

Villanova Student-Athlete week emphasizes five main components: Awareness, Community, Education, Service and Fun.

The celebration began over the weekend as student athletes enjoyed the warmer weather as they cheered on their fellow classmates competing at home as baseball and men's and women's tennis all took on Georgetown.

Monday, April 13, the Director of Player Engagement for the Philadelphia Eagles, Marcus Sedberry, will be the featured speaker at the April session of the Villanova Athletics Leadership Institute.

The service opportunity includes a partnership with Villanova's Head Football Coach Andy Talley's Bone Marrow Foundation and Bone Marrow Registry Drive. On Tuesday, April 14, from 10am-3pm, all student-athletes are encouraged to stop by the Villanova Room in the Connelly Center to register with the National Bone Marrow Foundation as a potential life-saving donor and get in the game to save a life!

Also, on Friday, numerous student athletes will head to the Radnor Township library to teach the importance of reading with some story-telling as an act of service to their young fans.

The fun events planned, include the 3rd Annual Student-Athlete Week Breakfast, which will be hosted on Thursday, April 16 from 8:15-10:15 a.m. on the Jake Nevin Stage. All student-athletes are encouraged to stop by for breakfast treats!

NovaNation has the opportunity to cheer on various teams during the week including softball, baseball, women's tennis and men's lacrosse.

Tuesday afternoon, the softball team (18-19, 6-6) will take on local foe La Salle at 3:30 p.m. at the Villanova Softball Complex. Head Coach Maria DiBernardi enjoyed a six game winning-streak before falling to Butler on the road this past weekend, however the Wildcats have not lost at home in six games.

Also on Wednesday, the women's tennis team will take on St. Joseph's at 3 p.m. in their last home match of the season.

Nova Nation can enjoy some Wildcat baseball (13-17, 1-2) as the take on Xavier on Friday and Saturday. First pitch is slated for 3:15 p.m. and 1:15, respectively, at the Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting.

Softball will also be back in action on Saturday as they take on the Providence Friars in a double-header at noon and 2 p.m.

Student Athlete Week will wrap up as the men's lacrosse team (5-6, 0-3) honors their six seniors with their last home game of the season against St. John's at 7 p.m. in Villanova Stadium.

Remember to follow @VUSAAC on twitter for up-to-date information on SAAC Student-Athlete Week 2015. Use the hashtag's #VUSAWeek15 and #Athletes4Athletes to be a part of all the fun!