VILLANOVA, Pa. – The "Finn" is officially open for business.
 
Villanova entered a new era Friday night as the renovated Finneran Pavilion opened its doors with a ceremony that included University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., representatives of the Men's and Women's Basketball teams, student representatives and coaches Jay Wright and Harry Perretta at 6 p.m.
 
At that point, the doors opened for the night's main attraction, "Hoops Mania" the annual basketball kickoff party. A sold out crowd watched as both the men's and women's teams were introduced to loud cheers.
 
Villanova unveiled its 2018 NCAA national championship banner. Donohue and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson helped Wright hand out championship rings to members of that squad. Video messages from 2018 standouts Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and Omari Spellman – now all in the National Basketball Association – were played too.
 
Later, the Wildcats conducted a short intrasquad scrimmage to give the crowd a flavor of what is ahead in a 2018-19 campaign that features a young team with two starter from last year's squad back (Phil Booth and Eric Paschall).
 
Earlier in the day, there was a building tour for local and national media where Jackson, Booth, Paschall, Adrianna Hahn and Jannah Tucker gave their impressions of the re-imagined facility. All four played in the original Pavilion, which opened on Feb. 1, 1986 and closed for renovations at the conclusion of the 2016-17 academic year.
 
Director of Athletics Mark Jackson led the tour and described the impact the newly re-opened facility will have on Villanova.
 
"We were trying to build the best arena for Villanova," stated Jackson. "Collectively between our president Father Peter, Jay (Wright) and our university leadership I think everyone understood the need for it. Winning has helped but I think we would have gotten there whether or not we had the championships just because of this community."

"Overall I think we achieved the expectations of our board, our president, Bill Finneran, both coaches are pleased. All the different stakeholders that are involved are pleased but until we go through that first game. Until we nail that game operation and you guys can do your job and the lights work and we keep winning I'll feel better about it."

Senior Adrianna Hahn of the Wildcats' took note of the way the history of both programs is presented: "I would say being able to see the history of everything, even from two years ago when (the Villanova men) won the championship, is what struck me. Seeing, when you first walk in, the people who played before us, all the old guys and girls, the alums, their names, the history that they built here; I think that's really what brings out the passion and enthusiasm that we'll carry out in the season. I think that's the cool part."

Fifth year senior Phil Booth, meanwhile, looks forward to returning to a place where vocal students – to be in sections at both ends of the court – can make an impact on the game.


"It can definitely have an effect on the road team coming in," noted Booth, a fifth year senior. "The old Pavilion had it just one side so it was rough shooting for the other team on just one side, so having them on both will definitely have an impact. We play at Butler and at Creighton and those fans are on top of us so it definitely gives you a home court advantage. I block it out personally, but we definitely still hear it."

The Finneran Pavilion will next be open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 13 for the annual Blue/White Scrimmage and Open Practice. Doors open that morning at 10:30 a.m. with the on-court action set to begin at 11 a.m.