FROM THE DESK OF VILLANOVA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS MARK JACKSON

There is perhaps no greater feeling of pride for an athlete than to represent his or her country on a worldwide stage. Villanova student-athletes have a long and storied Olympics tradition and it is with great excitement that I look forward to the newest chapter in that history at this year's Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Villanova has had 61 athletes compete in the Olympics and we will be counting down the 61 days to the 2016 Summer Olympics starting on Sunday, June 5. A different Villanova Olympian will be featured each day, culminating on Friday, August 5 when we proudly celebrate our 2016 Olympians on the day of the opening ceremonies in Rio.

At least one athlete has represented Villanova at every Summer Olympics going back to 1948. Villanova athletes have won 14 medals all-time at the Olympics, including nine gold and five silver medals. Our 61 Olympians have come from every part of the globe, representing 15 countries and four continents while competing in nine different sports. This great tradition already spans more than 100 years, beginning with the 1908 Olympics in London and continuing to the present day.

In addition to celebrating our Olympics tradition, I am also proud of our student-athletes and coaches who are involved with Team USA programs on an annual basis. In the past year, men's basketball player Jalen Brunson and women's basketball player Caroline Coyer have each competed for Team USA in international competition, while men's basketball head coach Jay Wright won a gold medal as the head coach of the United States team at the 2005 World University Games and continues to be involved with the USA Basketball program.

By the Numbers...Villanova at the Olympics

1908: John O'Connell became Villanova's first Olympian when he competed in the broad jump at the 1908 London Games

61: Villanova has produced 61 Olympians since 1908

18: Villanova athletes have competed in a total of 18 different Olympiads

17: At least one Villanova athlete has competed in the last 17 Summer Olympiads dating back to 1948

15: 15 different countries have been represented by Villanova Olympians through the years

14: Villanova athletes have won 14 medals at the Olympics, including nine gold medals and five silver medals

9: Villanova athletes have competed in nine different sports in the Olympics

2: Charles Jenkins, Sr. is Villanova's only two-time Gold medalist -- he won gold in the 1956 Olympics in the 400 meters and the 4x400 meter relay